Research abstract

Starbucks Loses Discrimination Case to Supervisor with Dyslexia

This Starbucks employee just took a corporate giant down in a legal dispute! Meset Kumulchew is standing up for dyslexics in the workplace everywhere. Why does Starbucks wish they had acted differently? By Fernette Eide

Laura Lurns Last updated September 14, 2016 · 1 min read

A worker was not given the correct training to help with her dyslexia that was made known to management when she was hired. She requested visual aids and extra training to be able to do her job efficiently even though she has difficulty with numbers, letters and words. She was then reprimanded when her work was not up to standards of the company.

According to Fernette Eide, MD, Co-Founder Dyslexic Advantage, “Dyslexia should not be invisible in the workplace.” Starbucks had failed to make reasonable adjustments for Ms Kumulchew’s disability and had discriminated against her because of the effects of her dyslexia.

Starbucks was then brought to court over discrimination towards the worker with dyslexia. They were found guilty and now are offering better training and knowledge for employees about dyslexia. Now employees will have better knowledge and learn ways to help those with dyslexia and allow them to continue in the workplace as equals to others.

Key takeaways

Starbucks recently lost a discrimination lawsuit against an employee who has been diagnosed with dyslexia.
The proper education and training can show employees and employers the benefits dyslexic people have to offer in the work environment.
The Dyslexic Advantage has called on all employers and human resource departments to educate and address dyslexia awareness in the workplace.

Is your child struggling in school?

Get your free personalized learning roadmap

You describe what you see at home. We turn it into a plan you start this week.

Answer 5 short questionnaires about what you already notice, 30–45 minutes at your own kitchen table
Your child sits no test and gets no score: nothing to schedule, nothing for them to dread
You do the answering, the AI does the writing, and a person reviews it before it reaches you
Access all 40+ courses instantly: reading, math, focus, processing and more, with new ones added regularly

Why we use AI, plainly: it writes from a knowledge base our team maintains and audits. We work through it line by line and pull anything the evidence stops supporting. The roadmap you get on Tuesday reflects what we corrected on Monday, and a human still reads it before you do.

Your school district must evaluate your child free of charge if you ask in writing, whatever your income and whatever the outcome (US, 34 CFR 300.111 and 300.301(b)). That route takes time and answers a different question than you do. This one starts today, from what you already know.

Get my free assessment & 7-day trial Cancel anytime during your trial.

Your answers stay yours. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not hand identifiable assessment data to outside AI companies to train their models.

A screener is a starting point, not a diagnosis. If your child might need formal accommodations (an IEP or 504 plan), or you suspect a vision, hearing or medical cause, pursue a professional evaluation too. That is the only route to those supports.

Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert Writes about the learning brain for parents who want plain answers. Every article is grounded in current neuroscience and classroom practice.

According to Fernette Eide, MD, Co-Founder Dyslexic Advantage, “Dyslexia should not be invisible in the workplace.” Starbucks had failed to make reasonable adjustments for Ms Kumulchew’s disability and had discriminated against her because of the effects of her dyslexia.

Key takeaways

Is your child struggling in school?

Keep reading