School Breakfast and Lunch Programs
Students with disabilities often have unique nutritional needs.
Although the school breakfast and lunch programs are not covered
under Individual with Disabilities Act (IDEA), they are covered
under Section 504. Section 504 requires that schools participating
in the Federal School Meal Programs make reasonable efforts to
provide special meals to students whose diets are restricted by
their disabilities. This needs to be done without additional charge.
A statement must be submitted from a physician which includes:
- A description of the disability and how it affects the student's
diet;
- The major life activity affected by the disability; and
- The foods to be omitted from the student's diet and foods
that can be substituted.
This may require:
- Changes in the texture of the food,
- Modifying the calories, and
- Providing substitutes for foods on the school menu.
Section 504 and IDEA need to be taken into consideration as
physicians and/or dieticians develop recommendations for dietary
needs. Schools need to consider their current related policies
as the student's Individual Educational Programs (IEPs) are being
developed.
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Parents
are responsible for providing the physician’s report
and requesting the modifications. |
