Thank you to everyone who submitted questions and joined the chat. We hope you got your questions answered. If you didn't, you can post your questions on this topic and we will try to get them answered.

1. Are there any laws regarding inclusion that I can reference when my child's school repeatedly tries to schedule food-centric activities that by their very nature exclude my food allergic child?  We have a 504 for her which provides her with a food-free classroom, but there are many cases where several classrooms come together to do these food-centric activities, and this is when the problems arise.   Is there a certain part of the ADA I could refer them to?

2. What exactly is 'inclusion'?  I have been given the option of my daughter 'watching' the activity all the other children were doing and learning that way, which I reject as inclusion.  Another weird one was the making of gingerbread houses using cookies and candy by all children except mine. It was suggested to me that my daughter use cardboard.  I rejected these things, but had nothing to base it on other than saying it was not inclusion in my eyes - but what IS inclusion? Does the ADA state that?  When I argued against these things initially, the principle gave me the analogy of a person with no mobility not being able to take gym class but not expecting the rest of the school to give up gym class. There must be part of ADA which doesn't accept this right? It is not the same.

3.  Part of our issue is not having ANY written food policy for our school district. I need to try to include everything in my daughter's 504, and that doesn't work out well when other classes come together for an activity.   What is the best way to try to get a food allergy policy enacted for a district?  Are their model policies available I could take the the superintendent? 

My question:

My child is in a secular private school. 
I do not know if they receive any funding from the US govt.

Is is possible to get a 504 plan in this school?

Nope! When it's time for the chat, just click the link on the blog and it will take you there!

How does the chat event work?  Do I have to sign up ahead of time?

What is the best way to handle "frustration" from other parents when your child's accommodations inconvenience other parents or they are disgruntled about them? 

What are tips to get past an impasse with school officials on initial accommodations? 

If your child is part of the Headstart federal preschool program what are the guidelines regarding bringing their own food. What can you do if they will not allow outside food. 

Question 1: 

Are parents legally entitled to be at the evaluation meeting for the initial 504? Do they have a right to speak or add input beyond the documentation they provide?

Question 2:

If the school or school system declares your child NOT eligible for a 504, what appeals rights do you have?

Questions:

• At what grade can you have a 504 plan / IEP?  
  • Can you only have one starting in Kindergarten?
• Does it matter how the school is funded?
  
  • i.e. are certain 'types' of school covered by Section 504 vs. others?

Question:

With food allergies and an epi pen, with unknown reactions, when do you do a 504 versus an individual health plan? 

Almost everyone on here seems to swear by the 504 and some say that's not enough.

Im quite confused. I am a teacher and I pay attention to all health notes.

I know 504 plans have legal teeth, but what exactly does that mean in terms of reality? I know the only thing we all want to do is keep our kids safe.