Accommodating disabilities in school meal programs

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School food authorities (SFA) are obligated to accommodate student disabilities in school meal programs. These disabilities include physical and mental impairments. These could include immune, digestive, neurological, or bowel function disorders. Food allergies are also considered as a disability, but food intolerances aren’t recognized as a disability unless it limits a major life activity. It does not matter on the severity of the allergy, SFA are still required to make modifications for the students’ needs. However, parent preferences of student meals, like preference of gluten free diet does not require a modified meal. Student dislike or preferences of food does not require schools to oblige.
Schools can still be reimbursed for a modified meal if it meets the lunch program or school breakfast program nutrient requirements. If the modified meal is not within the meal pattern, it can still be reimbursed if the student has a medical statement from a state licensed health care professional describing the physical or mental impairment requiring a modified meal. The revised guidance no longer requires the use of the term “disability” or “disabled.” There is no need for an updated medical statement as a child moves into a new grade. Schools can have extra costs sometimes to accommodate these modified diets but there is not additional reimbursement for these.
Schools are working closely with families and students to keep children healthy and safe. However, schools are not required to provide all the nutrition information for all modified meals. This is a problem for some diets like diabetic diets if the students are unable to count their own carbohydrate intake. Schools are doing a great job working with students with disabilities that effects their meal plans. There is always room for improvement and modifications though that can continue to be made.
-LS

United States Department of Agriculture. (2017). Accommodating disabilities in the school meal programs: Guidance and questions and answers (Q&As). Retrieved from https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/nslp/SP26-2017os.pdf


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