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Deaf NJ Woman Suing Taco Bell Over Drive-Thru Orders

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A deaf New Jersey woman who primarily communicates in sign language is suing Taco Bell, saying the company and its restaurants failed to accommodate her at drive-thru windows.

Gina Cirrincione says she wrote her order and handed it to an employee at the drive-thru pickup window at a Taco Bell in Pleasantville in January. A video shows an employee saying he would take the order "one time,'' but she would have to come inside in the future.

She also claims a drive-thru employee at a Taco Bell in Atlantic City returned a note for food without filling the order.

"Plaintiff learned not only that Taco Bell restaurants are inaccessible to deaf individuals, but that Taco Bell employees and managers are inadequately trained and improperly informed about the communication rights and needs of deaf people," the lawsuit says, as reported by TIME.

Cirrincione wants Taco Bell to develop a policy to consider the needs of deaf customers. She's also seeking damages.

Taco Bell said it couldn't comment on the lawsuit because it hadn't yet seen it. A spokeswoman said the company is committed to respecting all its customers.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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