Special Dining Services Request

Special Dining Services Policies and Procedures

Muhlenberg College students with a documented medical condition that may significantly and directly impact the ability to fully utilize or access dining services may submit a Special Dining Services Application, along with Medical Provider Documentation Guidelines, to the Office of Disability Services. Students can access the application using Accommodate through the Muhlenberg OneLogin application.

Special Dining Services Request applications and documentation are individually considered by the Special Dining Committee. The medical conditions documented through this process must rise to the standards of a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA-revised 2008). Decisions about Special Dining Services accommodations are made based on the severity of the condition and the critical medical necessity of the request. The accommodations requested through this process must be an integral component of a treatment plan prescribed by a medical professional qualified to treat the particular condition.

For students who have been determined eligible through this process, a Special Dining Services Accommodation Plan will be individually developed in a collaborative process that includes the student, Director of Health Services, Representatives of Dining Services, the Director of the Office of Disability Services and other campus representatives, as appropriate.

It should be noted that documentation of a medical condition does not guarantee that a request will be approved. Further, situations such as diets for weight loss and personally elected dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten free, etc.) generally do not warrant special dining services accommodations through this process, as these are considered lifestyle choices and not conditions consistent with a determination of disability.

Procedures:

To initiate the process, students should complete an application on Accommodate by following the directions below:

• Please use your Muhlenberg username and password to access OneLogin. 
• Click on “Company: Everything” to see all tiles available. 
• Click on “Accommodate” tile.
• You should be at the home page. Click on Accommodation > Accessibility Request or use the shortcut “Disability Disclosure Form”.
• For a special dining request, please check “Yes” to complete the special dining application. 
• ODS staff will be in touch with you to schedule an intake interview appointment.

Students should submit the application with supporting medical documentation as soon as possible after the diagnosis and recommendations have been obtained from the medical professional.

Students who are approved will need to communicate with dining staff about the continuation of the accommodation for each semester on campus.