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Celiac.com 07/23/2024 - A mother from Utah County is advocating for changes after her teenage daughter, who has type one diabetes and celiac disease, experienced what the family claims was discrimination at a Provo water park. The mother alleges that her daughter was denied entry with necessary dietary food, which led to her becoming ill. The water park, however, maintains that they made efforts to accommodate the teen's needs. Incident at Splash Summit Water Park Janae Cox prepared a small cooler filled with diet-specific food and snacks for her daughter Kolbie's visit to Splash Summit Water Park. Despite the careful preparation, most of the food was not permitted inside due to the park’s stringent policy. Janae believes that this policy is not only detrimental but also potentially violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to Janae, Kolbie did not have sufficient food to maintain her health throughout the day, resulting in her feeling unwell. Janae and her husband, Kevin, emphasize that ensuring Kolbie has appropriate food is a continual challenge due to her medical conditions. Although the park’s regulations allow some food, they impose significant limitations. Park Policy and Family's Concerns A representative from Splash Summit explained that visitors could leave and re-enter the park with additional food but could only bring a limited amount at any one time. The Cox family argues that this arrangement is neither practical nor safe for Kolbie. Given that Kolbie is 15 and does not drive, and her parents were dropping her off, leaving the park to get more food was not a feasible option. Kevin highlighted the potential danger, noting that if Kolbie's blood sugar levels dropped while she was alone, she could have a seizure before reaching her car for more food. ADA Compliance and Legal Perspective Nate Crippes, a supervising public affairs attorney with the Disability Law Center, states that businesses in Utah are obligated to modify policies to meet ADA requirements. Crippes argues that policies should be individualized to cater to different disabilities. Splash Summit claimed they offered to store Kolbie's cooler with her food and medical supplies in the front office, but the Cox family feels this solution is still discriminatory. Kevin pointed out that this arrangement forces individuals with dietary restrictions to eat separately from other park-goers, which he believes is unfair. Seeking Resolution The Cox family asserts that their primary goal is to prevent other families from facing similar issues. Kolbie expressed her desire for a policy change, supported by her mother, who is willing to take necessary actions to achieve this. Despite having her medical supplies when she eventually entered the park, the Cox family mentioned that they had not encountered problems with the cooler on previous visits. Water Park’s Response and Future Considerations Splash Summit stated that they offer gluten-free food options within the park. When questioned about the possibility of changing their policy, the park spokesman indicated that it could be considered. The Cox family is still awaiting further discussions with the park regarding their experience. Conclusion The article highlights the challenges faced by individuals with celiac disease and diabetes in public spaces and the importance of accommodating their needs. For those with celiac disease, ensuring access to safe food options is crucial to avoid health complications. The Cox family’s story underscores the necessity for businesses to implement flexible, inclusive policies that respect and address the unique requirements of all patrons. Their advocacy serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for awareness and adjustments to ensure equal access and treatment for people with disabilities. Read more at: kmyu.tv
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Gluten-Free Bakery Sued for Denying Vets with Service Dogs
Jefferson Adams posted an article in Additional Concerns
Celiac.com 02/27/2018 - A pair of disabled veterans recently filed a federal lawsuit against a gluten-free bakery, Aimee's Love, and the city of Longmont, Colorado. The suit claims that on two separate occasions the bakery owners and the city both violated the Americans with Disabilities Act when they refused to serve the couple due to the presence of their service dogs. The suit also contends that Aimee's Love violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, and that the city violated the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Blocks are seeking unspecified damages. Under the ADA, people with disabilities may bring animals into businesses and other buildings where they would usually be excluded. The Blocks allege that they were first denied service by the bakery on March 8, when they attempted to enter with a Great Dane named Rajah, which they term a "service animal in training." The Blocks claim they asked the owners to familiarize themselves with federal laws regarding service animals. They claim that they were later denied service a second time, when they tried to enter the bakery with a different dog. According to Jennifer and Gary Block, Longmont police officers responded to the second incident improperly by wrongly making the couple and their dog leave the business. A Longmont police report claims the couple left on their own after the first incident, and that the bakery owners merely asked if the dogs were legitimate service dogs. It was during the second incident that the police told the Blocks and their dog to leave the bakery, the suit alleges. The suit also contends that the bakery owners and police violated federal disability law by demanding "proof" that the Blocks' dog was indeed a service animal. Under federal law, business owners may ask if a dog is a service animal and what task it performs, but can't ask any further questions of the dog's handler. They are not allowed to ask for "proof" that the service animal is "legitimate." Stay tuned for more news on this and other gluten-free-related stories. Read more at: Timescall.com -
Celiac.com 01/26/2012 - A Canadian woman is fighting a battle with the government of British Columbia to protect the services that allow her 18-year old daughter to live at home in Quesnel, B.C., with 24-hour care — much of it provided by Shelley McGarry herself. The woman's daughter, Chelsea McGarry already has a long list of challenges — Down syndrome, autism, early onset Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and celiac disease, among other conditions. The problem is that Chelsea turns 19 in December, at which point her responsibility for her care transfers from Ministry of Children and Family to Community Living B.C., the government agency that provides services to adults with developmental disabilities. Shelley McGarry says she's been battling for months with Community Living B.C. According to McGarry, Community Living B.C. has refused to approve the a plan for Chelsea. Moreover, the agency has threatened to reduce the minimal care Chelsea now receives, McGarry says. "It just turns my stomach to think of taking this public," she said. "But I don't know where else or what else to do." Independent provincial politician Bob Simpson and B.C. Representative for Children and Youth Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond both say Chelsea's case is a classic example of Community Living B.C.'s failure to work with families and find solutions. Instead, they say, the agency is worsening the McGarrys' situation. "This is a young woman whose life is in crisis," said Turpel-Lafond, who has been pushing Chelsea's cause since her family since Ausgust 2011, when they asked him to advocate on her behalf. Turpel-Lafond says that Community Living B.C.'s efforts have been lacking so far. "I've written, I've met with the head of CLBC, I've done just about everything I can," she says. "I've said to them very clearly, 'This is a case that needs a review by you, she added'" Simpson represents Chelsea and her family in the provincial legislature. He says that the family has followed all of the government's rules. Shelley McGarry has thoroughly documented Chelsea's fragile medical conditions. She developed a plan with the local non-profit society, also known as a micro-board. McGarry arranged for Chelsea to receive home care for about $340,000 a year. That amount is far less than the CLBC's plan to put Chelsea in a care home capable of managing her complex needs. Simpson called the plan that the McGarry's have offered the CLBC a 'very reasonable and appropriate plan.' However reasonable that plan may be, the CLBC has refused to approve it. Worse still, their proposed alternatives would either be unsafe, or cost up to three times what it would to keep Chelsea at home, Simpson said. Simpson says that he suspects the CLBC is punishing Shelley McGarry for her vocal and tireless advocacy on Chelsea's behalf. Simpson adds that he also suspects that officials, as he says they have done in other recent cases, have lost sight of Chelsea as a person. Both Social Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux and Community Living B.C. have declined to comment on specific cases. However, Cadieux said in an interview that she is aware of the file, and that she has appointed a new client support team, which she hopes can resolve the matter. "I agree that it needs attention," Cadieux said, adding that the new team includes a number of "high-ranking officials" from the Ministry of Social Development, and the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Source: http://www.canada.com/Disabled+woman+faces+battle+government+care/5593715/story.html
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