# Parents report disabled students forced to clean cafeteria

> Parents say their autistic son and other disabled students were required to clean high school cafeteria.
- Title: Parents report disabled students forced to clean cafeteria
- Summary: Parents say their autistic son and other disabled students were required to clean high school cafeteria. Parents of a South Carolina student with autism say…
- Keywords: sumter school district, lakewood high school, will sams, autism spectrum, work study program, cafeteria cleaning, news, local, Parents, report, disabled, students
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/10/20/parents-say-their-son-other-students-with-disabilities-forced-clean-high-school-cafeteria
- Published: 2026-10-20T04:48:31.691+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sumter school district, lakewood high school, will sams, autism spectrum, work study program, cafeteria cleaning, news, local
## Parents report disabled students forced to clean cafeteria
Parents say their son and other students with disabilities were required to clean high school cafeteria tables and floors after meals.

> Those teachers didn’t even say anything. They knew it was wrong.
## Son explains cafeteria cleaning task
Will, who is on the autism spectrum, told parents he had to clean cafeteria tables and floors after other students finished eating.

> Oh, well, we have to go in and clean, and they give us gloves and a bucket
## School claims work study program
School district says students in employability classes clean cafeteria as part of a work study program to develop life skills.

> Through employability classes and individualized life skills instruction, students develop practical skills that promote independence, build confidence, and support their transition into adulthood
## Parents call program discriminatory
Parents say only disabled students were involved and the activity is discriminatory, not a work study program.

> If you are singling out a group, an individual group, to do a task, that’s discrimination. It’s black and white
## School reviews life skills activities
School district says it is reviewing life skills activities and alternative approaches to ensure they support student needs.

> The district’s life skills activities and any alternative approaches that provide meaningful opportunities for students to develop independence and practical life skills are being reviewed to ensure they support the goals of each student
## Parents demand system change
Parents say the school system needs accountability in how disabled students are monitored and pushed.

> Definitely need to see some change in the school system. We need to see some accountability in how these kids are being monitored, how they are being pushed, essentially
## Key takeaway

Parents of a South Carolina student with autism say he and other disabled students were forced to clean school cafeteria tables and floors after meals.