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Following settlement, dining at Rider University to accommodate students with food allergy-related disabilities

NJBIZ - 2/28/2019

The United States government has reached an agreement with Rider University to settle allegations that the school violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices and procedures for students with food allergy-related disabilities, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced Thursday.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also found that Rider University failed to adequately train its staff on appropriate policies for accommodating individuals with food allergies. Since the beginning of the investigation, Rider University has worked cooperatively to develop and amend its policies and practices to comply with the ADA.
The matter originated from a complaint by a former Rider student with celiac disease, which is triggered by consumption of gluten. Celiac disease can cause permanent damage to the surface of the small intestines and an inability to absorb certain nutrients, leading to vitamin deficiencies that affect the brain, nervous system, bones, liver and other organs.
The settlement agreement requires Rider University to adopt policies for accommodating students with food allergy-related disabilities instead of relying on the limited policies of a food service vendor, make certain structural changes to food service areas to provide allergen-free food preparation areas in its dining facilities, employ a full-time dietician to advise the Rider University and its students on ways to address food allergy-related disability issues, and create a “pre-order” option for students with food allergies.
The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by public accommodations, including colleges and universities. Under the ADA, a disability is any mental or physical impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.

CREDIT: Jessica Perry

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