New York school agrees to admit diabetic students

Jul 10 2008

The Department of Justice announced today that Raynor Country Day School, in Long Island, N.Y., has entered into a settlement agreement with the United States to resolve two complaints filed by parents of children with diabetes who were turned down for enrollment in the school's day camp last summer.

Pursuant to the agreement, Raynor School will evaluate each application to its school or camp on a case-by-case basis, and will make reasonable accommodations to permit children with diabetes to attend the school or summer camp. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, supervising campers while they monitor blood glucose levels, using insulin pumps or other diabetes related medical equipment, and monitoring a child's consumption of food. The agreement will remain in effect for three years.

"I congratulate Raynor School for working cooperatively with the Department of Justice to ensure that children with diabetes will have the opportunity to attend Raynor School and to participate fully in its programs," said Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "The Department of Justice recognizes the critical importance of enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act so children with disabilities can access educational programs."

The Raynor School allegedly denied requests to permit children with diabetes to attend the camp and denied requests for the school to supervise the children in daily monitoring of their diabetes, including personal testing by the children of blood glucose levels and administering insulin to themselves using a personal insulin pump. Insulin pumps are commonly used by children and young adults to administer insulin without a syringe.

"Schools should not refuse admission or equal opportunity to a child because the child has diabetes," said Benton J. Campbell, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. "The summer camp offered by Raynor School benefits parents as well as children. Camp programs allow parents to work or carry out essential responsibilities while children play and learn in a safe and healthy environment. No family should be denied the opportunity for this kind of beneficial summer experience on the basis of disability."

People interested in finding out more about the ADA or the agreement can call the Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY), or access its ADA Web site at www.ada.gov.