Wow, wish I knew this all those months I avoided the Cafeteria and tried to explain why I didnt feel well, etc.....if I wasnt a Senior, I would be asking for these accomodations, any school that gets federal funding has to comply
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), celiac disease is defined as a disability. The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Agriculture (USDA) has adopted this definition as well, meaning that all children with celiac disease are included under the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Guidance on Children with Special Dietary Needs.
The USDA Child Nutrition Division oversees school lunch programs and requires participating school systems to provide substitutions for all students with food allergies and intolerances that qualify as a disability.
What is a Disability?
Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, a “person with a disability” is defined as any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities including eating. Celiac disease falls under this definition.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Comprehensive legislation, signed into law on July 26, 1990, that creates new rights and extends existing rights for Americans with disabilities. Title II of the Act is especially significant for school nutrition programs, as it requires equal availability and accessibility in State and local government programs and services, including public schools—this includes school lunch programs.
Basically, this means that students cannot be excluded from school meal programs because of celiac disease. This extends to breakfast, lunch and after school snacks as well at NO extra cost to the student.
To qualify for reimbursable meal substitutions, you must set up a 504 plan. To qualify, your child will need a note from a physician certifying that they have celiac disease and explaining what foods need to be avoided and detailing safe substitutions. For more information, please visit the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service’s website at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/AboutLunch/ProgramHistory_4.htm