ADAPT CLAIMS ANOTHER VICTORY WITH STARBUCKS!

That's right, after an intense day yesterday of phoning and e-mailing Kevin Stock at Starbucks, WE HAVE THE FAX!

Kevin Stock and Starbucks have committed to the following, in writing:

1. Fixing the accessibility issue at the infamous DC Starbucks by installing a buzzer and posting signage directing customers to the accessible entrance.

2. Sending ADAPT copies of their customer-service and training policies, so we can identify gaps and help them create a more welcoming environment for customers with disabilities.

3. Continuing to work with ADAPT to resolve accessibility problems and customer-service issues, starting with a follow-up conference call before the end of the year.

So hang up those phones, stop composing those e-mails, and GO CELEBRATE!

This is ADAPT's first-ever campaign purposely planned and led by young people under 30, but we couldn't have made it this far without your support! Your e-mails and phone calls made a big impact today -- according to reports we've heard, Kevin Stock was really worried about what the flood of calls and e-mails would do to Starbucks' company image.

So go buy a coffee, do a happy dance, and be on the lookout for changes coming to a Starbucks near you as we continue to work on making it a better, more accessible coffee company!!

FREE OUR PEOPLE!

Sarah E. Watkins
Undergraduate, Community Empowerment Studies
The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Candice Clark, Eric Clow, Stephanie George, Sarah Watkins and the rest of the ADAPT Youth Community

November 1, 2006
Ms. Sarah Watkins
ADAPT Youth Community

RE: Starbucks Washington D.C. Store

Dear Sarah:

Thank you and other ADAPT members for your emails and telephone calls requesting an update on the status of our efforts to improve access at our store at 325 7th St. N.W. in Washington D.C. as well as your requests that we sign and return ADAPT's fax that you sent to us by email on October 16. We very much appreciate your willingness to keep the lines of communication open on these issues. I am happy to give you an update on where things stand.

Yesterday I received an update with respect to our efforts to improve access at the Washington D.C. store. We are actively engaged with the landlord of the adjoining common area to install a buzzer as we previously discussed. Conceptually the landlord does not have a problem with our proposed solution to install a buzzer but the landlord's representative wanted to meet with the architect first. We are waiting to hear the results of that meeting. As we previously mentioned, Starbucks does not have control over the common area but is willing to bear the expense of installing the buzzer with the approval of the landlord as well as post appropriate signage at the main entrance.

With respect to Paragraph 1 of your October 16 fax, as we stated on our October 5 conference call, we will work with ADAPT to resolve the access issues it has raised regarding the D.C. store. We are diligently working with the landlord to resolve the issue as described above. That solution will likely include the buzzer and signage referenced in Paragraph 1 of your fax. I will give you an update as soon as I have more information.

With respect to Paragraph 2 of your fax, as we previously indicated we are also agreeable to providing ADAPT with copies of the section of our Store Operations Manual regarding serving customers with disabilities along with copies of various training materials with the understanding that ADAPT will hold those materials in confidence. I will have those documents copied and mailed to the address provided. Thank you for confirming by email that you will keep those materials confidential.

With respect to Paragraph 3 of your fax, I want to reconfirm the commitment we made to you and other ADAPT members on our October 5 conference call: Starbucks is committed to continuing to meet with ADAPT whenever ADAPT has specific concerns about physical access and customer service to people with disabilities. We are happy to conference with ADAPT at a mutually convenient time before the end of 2006.

Thank you again for your patience as we work to resolve the access issue with respect to the D.C. store. Starbucks is committed to ensuring that our stores are universally accessible. We take very seriously our commitment to develop enthusiastically satisfied customers all of the time.

Please give me a call if you have any questions or concerns.

Very truly yours,
Kevin L. Stock
director, corporate counsel