Re: Assistance with accomodation in professional school setting

[Guest guest]

Aside from fair, this is just plain strange. When I go to conferences, my GF needs are always extremely well taken care of. I hope others have concrete suggestions for you. I'm still thinking.

H.

-----Original Message-----

From: Kiwi <Karie@...>

Sent: Sun, Dec 6, 2009 10:11 am

Subject: [ ] Assistance with accomodation in professional school setting

I am wondering if anyone knows what to do in a case like I will explain below. I am in graduate school and I attend intensives twice a year for one week each. It used to be that I was reimbursed for not taking part in the catering program that goes along with the week-long intensive. Now, they have reversed this policy and I can no longer have a refund. They have made the program cart blanche and there are no exceptions. This is in light that they are not making accomodation for my meals, either. Not only do I have to pay for nonparticipation in the dietary portion of the program, I must haul my own refrigerator, microwave, hot plate and food supplies for the weeklong. I feel this is wrong.

I have been working with the administration on this since April and the issue keeps getting sidelined and my case overpowered by policy. Now, there has been a change of staffing in the administration and there is a facilitator who is going to take my case up to see if the catering service can accomodate me.

This is not just about my case, this is about other people who attend the school, which is one of the founding schools of humanistic psycbology. They have promoted individual rights, of which the ADA in the mainstream is an application. The only thing is, when I called to talk to administration about ADA, they told me to not even think of going legal on this because they had run the wording of their policy by an attorney in about 16 different ways to make them not accountable to ADA. I am aghast!

The hotel where we meet offers the school a all-inclusive plan if they get so many people to stay at the hotel. They count everyone's head whether they use the meal service or not in order to get a lower price on the lodging, conference rooms, and meals. I do not think this is fair, do you? The school staff in charge () of this is planning to go to the hotel to negotiate some compromise with them. I think that it would be good to know if anyone of the celiac support group knows of someone who can assist in negotiating and educating the hotel. #1, are they offering a plan to the school which tempts them to ignore the ADA or individual rights or cause harm to individuals for the sake of getting a better deal? #2, is it possible that the hotel could create a gluten-free, gluten-safe portion of the catering service? This we need someone more experienced at legal matters, celiac issues, and consultation.

Any help or suggestions are most welcome. A name of a contact person who could help would be great, too!

Thank you,

Karie

[Guest guest]

I would go to the top and contact well-known names in the Celiac community from Columbia, like Dr. Green or from Stanford, like Dr. Gray, for their help. Additionally, a well-written letter from your physician documenting your Celiac disease.

Be creative. There's nothing worse than public humiliation to change a policy. I'd get local media involved ie. like on KGO, '7 on your side,' the Finney thing.

Research what celiac groups are active in the conference area for additional support. Remember, Celiac is an autoimmune disorder, NOT an allergy. Your condition is serious and needs to be addressed as such. Support from some well-known celiac docs, etc. could clear up the issue for the Administration.

In addition to being strange, it's discriminatory. Since your are in school, it seems to me the program must provide whatever access students need regardless of disability...and Celiac can be put in the disability category.

My daughter, a 1st year at UCLA, appealed to the Housing Board thru the Office of Students w/ Disabilities for a double room so she can have her own fridge, instead of being cramped in a triple (which would clearly set her up for almost daily contamination).

Good Luck!

MB----- "Harper" <flatcat9@...> wrote: >

> > >

Aside from fair, this is just plain strange. When I go to conferences, my GF needs are always extremely well taken care of. I hope others have concrete suggestions for you. I'm still thinking.> H.>

>

>

> -----Original Message-----> From: Kiwi <Karie@...>> > Sent: Sun, Dec 6, 2009 10:11 am> Subject: [ ] Assistance with accomodation in professional school setting> > > > > I am wondering if anyone knows what to do in a case like I will explain below. I am in graduate school and I attend intensives twice a year for one week each. It used to be that I was reimbursed for not taking part in the catering program that goes along with the week-long intensive. Now, they have reversed this policy and I can no longer have a refund. They have made the program cart blanche and there are no exceptions. This is in light that they are not making accomodation for my meals, either. Not only do I have to pay for nonparticipation in the dietary portion of the program, I must haul my own refrigerator, microwave, hot plate and food supplies for the weeklong. I feel this is wrong. > I have been working with the administration on this since April and the issue keeps getting sidelined and my case overpowered by policy. Now, there has been a change of staffing in the administration and there is a facilitator who is going to take my case up to see if the catering service can accomodate me. > This is not just about my case, this is about other people who attend the school, which is one of the founding schools of humanistic psycbology. They have promoted individual rights, of which the ADA in the mainstream is an application. The only thing is, when I called to talk to administration about ADA, they told me to not even think of going legal on this because they had run the wording of their policy by an attorney in about 16 different ways to make them not accountable to ADA. I am aghast!> The hotel where we meet offers the school a all-inclusive plan if they get so many people to stay at the hotel. They count everyone's head whether they use the meal service or not in order to get a lower price on the lodging, conference rooms, and meals. I do not think this is fair, do you? The school staff in charge () of this is planning to go to the hotel to negotiate some compromise with them. I think that it would be good to know if anyone of the celiac support group knows of someone who can assist in negotiating and educating the hotel. #1, are they offering a plan to the school which tempts them to ignore the ADA or individual rights or cause harm to individuals for the sake of getting a better deal? #2, is it possible that the hotel could create a gluten-free, gluten-safe portion of the catering service? This we need someone more experienced at legal matters, celiac issues, and consultation.> Any help or suggestions are most welcome. A name of a contact person who could help would be great, too!> Thank you,> Karie>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Indeed, CD is serious. However, a wheat allergy can be extremely serious, too. Food allergies can lead to anaphylactic shock; we mustn't belittle their possible consequences.

Remember, Celiac is an autoimmune disorder, NOT an allergy. Your condition is serious and needs to be addressed as such

The school's position on this is really mind-boggling.

H.

-----Original Message-----

From: melbatavia@...

Sent: Sun, Dec 6, 2009 12:35 pm

Subject: Re: [ ] Assistance with accomodation in professional school setting

I would go to the top and contact well-known names in the Celiac community from Columbia, like Dr. Green or from Stanford, like Dr. Gray, for their help. Additionally, a well-written letter from your physician documenting your Celiac disease.

Be creative. There's nothing worse than public humiliation to change a policy. I'd get local media involved ie. like on KGO, '7 on your side,' the Finney thing.

Research what celiac groups are active in the conference area for additional support. Remember, Celiac is an autoimmune disorder, NOT an allergy. Your condition is serious and needs to be addressed as such. Support from some well-known celiac docs, etc. could clear up the issue for the Administration.

In addition to being strange, it's discriminatory. Since your are in school, it seems to me the program must provide whatever access students need regardless of disability...and Celiac can be put in the disability category.

My daughter, a 1st year at UCLA, appealed to the Housing Board thru the Office of Students w/ Disabilities for a double room so she can have her own fridge, instead of being cramped in a triple (which would clearly set her up for almost daily contamination).

Good Luck!

MB

----- "Harper" <flatcat9aol> wrote:

>

> > >

Aside from fair, this is just plain strange. When I go to conferences, my GF needs are always extremely well taken care of. I hope others have concrete suggestions for you. I'm still thinking.

> H.

>

>

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Kiwi <Kariejamesklim>

>

> Sent: Sun, Dec 6, 2009 10:11 am

> Subject: [ ] Assistance with accomodation in professional school setting

> > > > > I am wondering if anyone knows what to do in a case like I will explain below. I am in graduate school and I attend intensives twice a year for one week each. It used to be that I was reimbursed for not taking part in the catering program that goes along with the week-long intensive. Now, they have reversed this policy and I can no longer have a refund. They have made the program cart blanche and there are no exceptions. This is in light that they are not making accomodation for my meals, either. Not only do I have to pay for nonparticipation in the dietary portion of the program, I must haul my own refrigerator, microwave, hot plate and food supplies for the weeklong. I feel this is wrong.

> I have been working with the administration on this since April and the issue keeps getting sidelined and my case overpowered by policy. Now, there has been a change of staffing in the administration and there is a facilitator who is going to take my case up to see if the catering service can accomodate me.

> This is not just about my case, this is about other people who attend the school, which is one of the founding schools of humanistic psycbology. They have promoted individual rights, of which the ADA in the mainstream is an application. The only thing is, when I called to talk to administration about ADA, they told me to not even think of going legal on this because they had run the wording of their policy by an attorney in about 16 different ways to make them not accountable to ADA. I am aghast!

> The hotel where we meet offers the school a all-inclusive plan if they get so many people to stay at the hotel. They count everyone's head whether they use the meal service or not in order to get a lower price on the lodging, conference rooms, and meals. I do not think this is fair, do you? The school staff in charge () of this is planning to go to the hotel to negotiate some compromise with them. I think that it would be good to know if anyone of the celiac support group knows of someone who c

an assist in negotiating and educating the hotel. #1, are they offering a plan to the school which tempts them to ignore the ADA or individual rights or cause harm to individuals for the sake of getting a better deal? #2, is it possible that the hotel could create a gluten-free, gluten-safe portion of the catering service? This we need someone more experienced at legal matters, celiac issues, and consultation.

> Any help or suggestions are most welcome. A name of a contact person who could help would be great, too!

> Thank you,

> Karie

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm wondering if it might be worthwhile to contact Levario, the director of the American Celiac Disease Alliance. She is a parent of a son with celiac and a lawyer who is "... dedicating her self to the advancement of laws to protect people with this disease." (From p. 2 or the Jan-Feb 2007 issue of Chesapeake Celiac Connections). Even if she can't help you directly, she may be able to suggest someone in your area who might for little or no fee. Her information is: LevarioExecutive DirectorAmerican Celiac Disease Alliance2504 Duxbury Place | andria, VA 22308703.622.3331 |aslevario@...www.americanceliac.orgIt sounds like you are already working with

an ombudsperson at the university, but, if not, there should be one who could be an advocate for you and your situation.Good luck, HogleFreelance academic librarianInstructor, online researchEmail: jjhogle@...Web: (under de- and re-construction) www.blueroom.comReality ain't what you think it isArt Graphics & Photographs[http://www.blueroom.com/realityaint.htm]From: Kiwi <Karie@...> Sent: Sun, December 6, 2009 10:11:45 AMSubject: [ ] Assistance with accomodation in professional school setting

I am wondering if anyone knows what to do in a case like I will explain below. I am in graduate school and I attend intensives twice a year for one week each. It used to be that I was reimbursed for not taking part in the catering program that goes along with the week-long intensive. Now, they have reversed this policy and I can no longer have a refund. They have made the program cart blanche and there are no exceptions. This is in light that they are not making accomodation for my meals, either. Not only do I have to pay for nonparticipation in the dietary portion of the program, I must haul my own refrigerator, microwave, hot plate and food supplies for the weeklong. I feel this is wrong.

I have been working with the administration on this since April and the issue keeps getting sidelined and my case overpowered by policy. Now, there has been a change of staffing in the administration and there is a facilitator who is going to take my case up to see if the catering service can accomodate me.

This is not just about my case, this is about other people who attend the school, which is one of the founding schools of humanistic psycbology. They have promoted individual rights, of which the ADA in the mainstream is an application. The only thing is, when I called to talk to administration about ADA, they told me to not even think of going legal on this because they had run the wording of their policy by an attorney in about 16 different ways to make them not accountable to ADA. I am aghast!

The hotel where we meet offers the school a all-inclusive plan if they get so many people to stay at the hotel. They count everyone's head whether they use the meal service or not in order to get a lower price on the lodging, conference rooms, and meals. I do not think this is fair, do you? The school staff in charge () of this is planning to go to the hotel to negotiate some compromise with them. I think that it would be good to know if anyone of the celiac support group knows of someone who can assist in negotiating and educating the hotel. #1, are they offering a plan to the school which tempts them to ignore the ADA or individual rights or cause harm to individuals for the sake of getting a better deal? #2, is it possible that the hotel could create a gluten-free, gluten-safe portion of the catering service? This we need someone more experienced at legal matters, celiac issues, and consultation.

Any help or suggestions are most welcome. A name of a contact person who could help would be great, too!

Thank you,

Karie

[Guest guest]

As someone who frequents conferences as a part of work, I know all too

well this pain...

My strategy has been to try to contact the caterer direcly whenever

possible. Going through an event coordinator can be iffy, because it

is another link in the chain and messages get diluted or lost. Direct

communication also gives me the opportunity to approve things the

inexperienced caterer might initially shy away from (like rice &

potatoes) and catch things they might miss (like soy sauce & barley

malt.)

I have never attended an event where the caterer wasn't perfectly

willing to go out of their way and work with me.some have needed no

guidance at all, while others I had to pretty much spell it out, but

in all cases it has worked out somehow, and I've been at it this way

for the past five years now with at least four or five conferences per

year. There have been a couple of instances where the registration

form has evenincluded a gluten free checkbox, which is invariably

grouped with the veg & kosher options, but lately I've been seeing

more and more events just include a text box where you're supposed to

write in your needs. Either way I still feel more comfortable to check

with the caterer personally.

What I recommend is to tell the event planner that you have medically

required dietary restrictions and that it would be best to have them

forward you the contact info for the caterer. Tell them what you can

have and what you can't. Then set up a system so when you arrive at

meal time you can speak with a the person who has your food or that

yor food is at least clearly marked and separate from the others. If

this can't be worked out, then it may be time to escalate the issue,

but I'm betting based on past experience that you'll get an audience.

Also despite their best intentions, caterers may screw up from time to

time. Case in point, last time I went toast meeting at Microsoft's HQ

in Redmond, they did pretty well except that at each meal they gave me

a big cookie wrapped in cellophane that said in big letters on the

front: " No Wheat! " . Of course, the list of ingredients on the back

indicated barley as the main ingredient, so there you go. Thanks! Nice

try... ;-)

Good luck!

--

Joe (from iPhone)

http://www.sanbeiji.com

On Dec 6, 2009, at 10:11 AM, " Kiwi " <Karie@...> wrote:

> I am wondering if anyone knows what to do in a case like I will

> explain below. I am in graduate school and I attend intensives twice

> a year for one week each. It used to be that I was reimbursed for

> not taking part in the catering program that goes along with the

> week-long intensive. Now, they have reversed this policy and I can

> no longer have a refund. They have made the program cart blanche and

> there are no exceptions. This is in light that they are not making

> accomodation for my meals, either. Not only do I have to pay for

> nonparticipation in the dietary portion of the program, I must haul

> my own refrigerator, microwave, hot plate and food supplies for the

> weeklong. I feel this is wrong.

>

> I have been working with the administration on this since April and

> the issue keeps getting sidelined and my case overpowered by policy.

> Now, there has been a change of staffing in the administration and

> there is a facilitator who is going to take my case up to see if the

> catering service can accomodate me.

>

> This is not just about my case, this is about other people who

> attend the school, which is one of the founding schools of

> humanistic psycbology. They have promoted individual rights, of

> which the ADA in the mainstream is an application. The only thing

> is, when I called to talk to administration about ADA, they told me

> to not even think of going legal on this because they had run the

> wording of their policy by an attorney in about 16 different ways to

> make them not accountable to ADA. I am aghast!

>

> The hotel where we meet offers the school a all-inclusive plan if

> they get so many people to stay at the hotel. They count everyone's

> head whether they use the meal service or not in order to get a

> lower price on the lodging, conference rooms, and meals. I do not

> think this is fair, do you? The school staff in charge () of

> this is planning to go to the hotel to negotiate some compromise

> with them. I think that it would be good to know if anyone of the

> celiac support group knows of someone who can assist in

> negotiating and educating the hotel. #1, are they offering a plan to

> the school which tempts them to ignore the ADA or individual rights

> or cause harm to individuals for the sake of getting a better deal?

> #2, is it possible that the hotel could create a gluten-free, gluten-

> safe portion of the catering service? This we need someone more

> experienced at legal matters, celiac issues, and consultation.

>

> Any help or suggestions are most welcome. A name of a contact person

> who could help would be great, too!

>

> Thank you,

> Karie

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

I want to thank those of you who offered helpful information. I will be checking

out how accomodation may be facilitated at my professional school.

>

> I am wondering if anyone knows what to do in a case like I will explain below.

I am in graduate school and I attend intensives twice a year for one week each.

It used to be that I was reimbursed for not taking part in the catering program

that goes along with the week-long intensive. Now, they have reversed this

policy and I can no longer have a refund. They have made the program cart

blanche and there are no exceptions. This is in light that they are not making

accomodation for my meals, either. Not only do I have to pay for

nonparticipation in the dietary portion of the program, I must haul my own

refrigerator, microwave, hot plate and food supplies for the weeklong. I feel

this is wrong.

>

> I have been working with the administration on this since April and the issue

keeps getting sidelined and my case overpowered by policy. Now, there has been a

change of staffing in the administration and there is a facilitator who is going

to take my case up to see if the catering service can accomodate me.

>

> This is not just about my case, this is about other people who attend the

school, which is one of the founding schools of humanistic psycbology. They have

promoted individual rights, of which the ADA in the mainstream is an

application. The only thing is, when I called to talk to administration about

ADA, they told me to not even think of going legal on this because they had run

the wording of their policy by an attorney in about 16 different ways to make

them not accountable to ADA. I am aghast!

>

> The hotel where we meet offers the school a all-inclusive plan if they get so

many people to stay at the hotel. They count everyone's head whether they use

the meal service or not in order to get a lower price on the lodging, conference

rooms, and meals. I do not think this is fair, do you? The school staff in

charge () of this is planning to go to the hotel to negotiate some

compromise with them. I think that it would be good to know if anyone of the

celiac support group knows of someone who can assist in negotiating and

educating the hotel. #1, are they offering a plan to the school which tempts

them to ignore the ADA or individual rights or cause harm to individuals for the

sake of getting a better deal? #2, is it possible that the hotel could create a

gluten-free, gluten-safe portion of the catering service? This we need someone

more experienced at legal matters, celiac issues, and consultation.

>

> Any help or suggestions are most welcome. A name of a contact person who could

help would be great, too!

>

> Thank you,

> Karie

>

[Guest guest]

Your situation keep running through my mind. The sentence below makes me wonder if they anticipated objections. It seems far less expensive to fix the real problem rather than to hire lawyers to fix the wording!

H.

when I called to talk to administration about ADA, they told me to not even think of going legal on this because they had run the wording of their policy by an attorney in about 16 different ways to make them not accountable to ADA.

-----Original Message-----

From: Kiwi <Karie@...>

Sent: Tue, Dec 8, 2009 9:44 am

Subject: [ ] Re: Assistance with accomodation in professional school setting

I want to thank those of you who offered helpful information. I will be checking out how accomodation may be facilitated at my professional school.

>

> I am wondering if anyone knows what to do in a case like I will explain below. I am in graduate school and I attend intensives twice a year for one week each. It used to be that I was reimbursed for not taking part in the catering program that goes along with the week-long intensive. Now, they have reversed this policy and I can no longer have a refund. They have made the program cart blanche and there are no exceptions. This is in light that they are not making accomodation for my meals, either. Not only do I have to pay for nonparticipation in the dietary portion of the program, I must haul my own refrigerator, microwave, hot plate and food supplies for the weeklong. I feel this is wrong.

>

> I have been working with the administration on this since April and the issue keeps getting sidelined and my case overpowered by policy. Now, there has been a change of staffing in the administration and there is a facilitator who is going to take my case up to see if the catering service can accomodate me.

>

> This is not just about my case, this is about other people who attend the school, which is one of the founding schools of humanistic psycbology. They have promoted individual rights, of which the ADA in the mainstream is an application. The only thing is, when I called to talk to administration about ADA, they told me to not even think of going legal on this because they had run the wording of their policy by an attorney in about 16 different ways to make them not accountable to ADA. I am aghast!

>

> The hotel where we meet offers the school a all-inclusive plan if they get so many people to stay at the hotel. They count everyone's head whether they use the meal service or not in order to get a lower price on the lodging, conference rooms, and meals. I do not think this is fair, do you? The school staff in charge () of this is planning to go to the hotel to negotiate some compromise with them. I think that it would be good to know if anyone of the celiac support group knows of someone who can assist in negotiating and educating the hotel. #1, are they offering a plan to the school which tempts them to ignore the ADA or individual rights or cause harm to individuals for the sake of getting a better deal? #2, is it possible that the hotel could create a gluten-free, gluten-safe portion of the catering service? This we need someone more experienced at legal matters, celiac issues, and consultation.

>

> Any help or suggestions are most welcome. A name of a contact person who could help would be great, too!

>

> Thank you,

> Karie

>