Dining Accommodations

Students with disabilities, medical conditions, or dietary allergies that substantially impact their ability to safely access or utilize university dining services may request a dining accommodation through Disability Support Services (DSS).

DSS works collaboratively with Dining Services and other relevant university offices to review requests and determine whether reasonable accommodations may be appropriate based on the student’s disability-related needs.

Examples of dining accommodations may include:

  • consideration of severe food allergies,
  • medically necessary dietary modifications,
  • access-related dining adjustments,
  • or other disability-related dining needs.

Dining accommodations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis through an individualized process.

Dining Accommodation Request Process

Step #1

Submit the DSS accommodation intake form and indicate that you are requesting a dining accommodation.

Step #2

Submit supportive documentation from a licensed medical or healthcare provider familiar with the student’s condition and treatment.

Documentation should include:

  • information regarding the student’s disability, medical condition, or allergy;
    • when applicable, identification of food-related allergies should be supported by relevant clinical evaluation, testing, and/or provider interpretation;
  • current functional impact related to use of the university dining environment;
  • relevant history, testing, or treatment information, when applicable;
    • if a specific diet or dietary restriction is medically necessary, documentation should include a comprehensive list of foods/ingredients to avoid and, when relevant, foods/ingredients necessary to maintain the prescribed dietary regimen;
  • any prescribed treatment or management strategies (such as dietary avoidance, medication use, use of an EpiPen, etc.);
  • and any provider recommendations related to dining accommodations, if applicable.

Documentation must:

  • be provided by a licensed provider qualified to diagnose and/or treat the condition in question;
  • be provided on official letterhead; and
  • include the provider’s name, credentials, licensure information, address, telephone number, email address, signature, and date of report.
  • Provider may not be a family member/relative.

Dining-related accommodations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis in consideration of the student’s disability-related needs, food safety concerns, and the scope of reasonable modifications within university dining operations.

Please note: personal preferences, lifestyle choices, general wellness diets, or non-disability-related food preferences do not typically constitute a basis for disability-related dining accommodations.

Step #3

Meet with DSS staff to discuss the dining request, submitted documentation, and possible next steps in the accommodation review process.

Please Note

  • Dining accommodations are reviewed individually based on disability-related need and reasonableness.
  • Submission of documentation does not automatically guarantee approval of a requested accommodation.
  • DSS may consult with Dining Services and other university offices as part of the interactive review process.
    • Students may be referred to Dining Services staff for additional discussion regarding meal planning, ingredient information, or available dining options.
  • Students are encouraged to submit requests as early as possible, particularly prior to the start of a semester or meal plan activation.

For more information regarding campus dining services and meal plan options, please visit the Trinity Dining Services webpage