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Deaf Woman Left In Tears After Being ‘Refused’ Service At Dunkin
“I kept saying, “I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I need to lip read.”
Being deaf shouldn’t imply you can’t live, but our society has undeniably made a living quite unbearable for a few such people. In particular, the tale of Shannon Heroux is an excellent example of the mentioned above. 32-Year-Old Shannon recently visited Dunkin in Encino but was refused service because she’s deaf.
Shannon Heroux was refused service at Dunkin after telling an employee that she was deaf and needed to lip-read.

The employees also claimed they didn’t believe she couldn’t hear them because she spoke so well. With the username @shannon_heroux on TikTok, Shannon, who could be seen crying, claimed the incident has since left her heartbreaking. In a clip, she said: “I’ve never been refused service before, and it hurts. It hurts bad. Dunkin’ Donuts is my favorite place to go.”
Instead of pulling her mask down, Shannon claimed the employee got her manager.

Shannon revealed that she has a cochlear implant, an electronic device that electrically stimulates the nerve for hearing but was not wearing it at that time. The TikToker claimed she had called a female employee and informed her that she was deaf and needed to read her lips. So instead of taking her mask off, the employee went to get the manager.
According to Shannon, the manager went off on arrival, and she couldn’t understand what he was saying because he refused to pull down his mask.
@shannon_heroux I was refused service at a Dunkin Donuts because I’m deaf. I want to spread awareness on how this is not okay. Part one of the video.
original sound – shannon_heroux
Shannon, 32, noted she had her mask on and was socially distanced when she asked them to pull down theirs.

She recalled: “I’m an Uber driver, so I got a ride, and I was like, “Hey, I have to order my drink. I have to go.” The manager reportedly came over, and Shannon claimed she could tell by his body language and face that he went off. Shannon sobbed as she stressed how he repeatedly waved his hand in front of her face but couldn’t read his lips because he had his mask on.
“I’ve never been refused service before, and it hurts. It hurts bad. Dunkin’ Donuts is my favorite place to go.”


“I kept saying, “I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I need to lip-read. He refused to write anything down. He refused to pull his mask down.” Shannon stated, noting they were six feet apart and separated by the Plexiglas screen at the counter. She continued: “I’m wearing my mask. Like, what more do you want from us? We struggle so much during this pandemic.”
In a part II clip, she tearfully explained how she had had similar issues at other stores and businesses.

@shannon_heroux Discrimination Part 2 please watch Part 1 to get an understanding of what happened and help spread awareness for the deaf community. ##pandemic
original sound – shannon_heroux
“Enough is enough. People don’t believe I’m deaf, and I could sense and feel from him that he didn’t believe me. He didn’t believe I was deaf because I speak so well. It’s a blessing and a curse.” Shannon tearfully explained how she had similar issues at other stores and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic in an updated clip. She concluded the clip by demanding an apology from Dunkin.
Shannon demanded an apology and shared a third clip where she said she contacted Dunkin’s corporate office.

“I’ve never felt this way, and I don’t wish this upon anyone.” She said. Shannon alleged she had contacted Dunkin’s corporate office in a third video and was told they would update her on what would happen at that location by Friday. Nonetheless, Shannon insisted that she’s standing up for the deaf community, happy for spreading awareness and reaching out to all persons who’ve suffered the same discrimination.
Watch the third clip here:
@shannon_heroux Thank you so much all of you for your support and helping spread awareness! ##DunkinDonuts ##EnoughIsEnough ##DeafAwareness
original sound – shannon_heroux
