Info I had saved

[klasyjo]

Here is some information that I had saved. Sorry I don't have the all the sources. Some of it I had found/compiled and some of it I was given permission to use. I know that I have found it helpful over the last couple years of learning to live again. I hope these are ok to post and if I got the info from you please take credit if it's not listed.

CROSS-CONTAMINATION ISSUES FOR A CELIAC:
You can't kill gluten. It's not a bacteria or virus. It's a molecular structure that you need to wash away. Gluten is a prolamine and all prolamines are very soluble in alcohol.
As defined…. there are two protein groups which compose gluten. First are the gliadins, which are soluble in alcohol/water solutions. The second group is the glutenins that are not soluble in alcohol/water solutions, but are soluble in some salt solutions.

Gluten residue is sticky; it can lurk everywhere. People eat at their desk, in the car, etc.

*Frequent hand washing, alcohol gel and wipes help.

Sharing finger or snack food with gluten eaters - or sharing party dips, cheeses, and salsas...can be big trouble.

School & work:

Auto steering wheel
Computer mouse
Counters
Desks
Handles
Keyboard
Phones
Shared microwaves
Tables
Other hidden gluten issues to look at:

Can opener
blender
colanders
pet food
stamps
Envelope adhesive
School paste
Glue
carbon-less paper/checks
Lipsticks
toothpaste
breath mints, antacids, etc.
vitamins and medicines
lotions/sunscreens/soaps
dental check-ups, polishing pastes, gloves, orthodontia
dry wall compound
Grills and charcoal
Wooden Spoons
Wooden Cutting Board
Stickers
Silverware Drawer
Shampoo
Hair Care Products/hairspray
Packaging Adhesives
Dental Products
Hand Lotion/Suntan Lotion
Lipstick
Makeup
Medicine/Vitamins
Spray Starch for Laundry
Playdough
Straw (bailed wheat stalks)
Computer Keyboard
Computer mouse
Car Steering Wheel
Check blender blade mechanism
Rolling Pin
Dish detergent
Laundry detergent
Beyond the kitchen:
Do not share your toothpaste with a gluten-eater.

Health food store brand (in store) bagged bulk items may be cross contaminated (it is better to purchase a sealed package from a GF company). HFS and grocery store bulk bins and self-serve bins = a nightmare of cross contamination.

If you live with others who eat gluten in the household, or have used these utensils before becoming GF, consider these:
Can opener [have a separate one for GF]

Don't use the same cloth to wipe both 'gluten' worktops and the 'gluten free' area

Gluten crumbs on the floor [crawling toddlers, pets transfer]

Hand towels [give them a separate one]

Kisses from glutened significant other

Rinse off ordinary breadcrumbs or ordinary flour sauce before putting items in dishwasher.

Shared Mixer (flour floats and can coat mixer)

Shared Toaster

Sharing Cooking Utensils between pots

Shared Condiments (don't allow knives to double dip)

Sharing a bowl of GF snacks with others unwashed hands

Significant other's mustache

Telephone (if sharing)

Use separate cloth kitchen towels [or disposable ones] for your GF area in kitchen.

Help with kitchen cross-contamination:
Replace the toaster/toaster oven if possible. If not, clean it out thoroughly and use foil under your food. If that's too scary, use your regular oven to toast and grill and use foil.

Replace all cutting boards - wooden and plastic. Do not share the GF boards with gluten food prep.

Replace wooden spoons and Teflon/vinyl cooking utensils. Do not share these new utensils with gluten food prep.

Replace porous pots/pans/skillets. Teflon and cast iron are porous enough to retain gluten from past cooking. Do not share non-stick or iron pans with gluten foods. Pizza and baking stones should be replaced.

Never wash gluten and GF dishes in the same dishwater.

Sponges harbor and spread gluten.

Shared dishtowels might be an issue - do not share towels; and rotate all kitchen towels and cloths into the laundry after meals and clean up.

Clean out all drawers - crumbs are insidious.

Counters, surfaces, handles can all have gluten residue

Do not share jarred condiments (butter, margarine, mayo, peanut butter, jam, etc.) with gluten eaters. Keep a separate set GF.

Ideas from others:
Color-coded all the GF stuff
Separate drawers and cupboard areas for pans, cooking utensils, plastic ware, etc. Shelves and drawers where GF goes are lined with aluminum foil
Separate storage area for pasta, flours, etc.

Crumbs & particles, however long airborne, eventually heed the call. If a cupboard or freezer contains conventional gluten-bearing goods (breads, cookies, flour, etc.), the rule is, GF gets a higher shelf. It's not such a problem if GF crumbs land on gluten stuff.

Whenever conventional flour comes out of the container, a certain percentage of it will become airborne & eventually settle out. So, if conventional baking is done in a mixed kitchen, there is a fairly extensive "after-glow," cleaning surfaces, any equipment (e.g. mixers or canisters) that might be sitting out, replacing all washrags/sponges/towels.

Use parchment paper in old cake pans

Use cupcake liners in old muffin pans

Get rid of old non-stick (Teflon) pans

Check all your teas (barley in many)

Cast Iron Skillet [can absorb gluten]

Old Baking Stones [can absorb gluten]

Duplicate/triplicate forms and cashier paper tapes made with gluten

[klasyjo]

This is from Traverse Area GF Support Group 3/2000 copied in it's entirety.

Pick a restaurant where the food is apt to be made-from-scratch. They will be in the best position to make substitutions and accommodate your celiac diet. Fast food restaurants will have limited selections. Franchised restaurants will have mostly standardized, pre-prepared, offerings. Realize that it will be harder to get individual attention during peak hours.

Get your server’s attention. Tell him/her that you will need their help. Explain that you have a medical condition that causes a reaction to certain grains, which will make you sick (they may not know what gluten means). Tell him/her what you CAN eat (rice and corn, plain fruit, vegetables, grilled meat, etc). Select something from the menu and inquire about the method of preparation and possible added ingredients. Carry a restaurant card with you and have your server show it to the chef. Then let the chef advise you on what he can prepare to fit your diet. Be certain that your server understands your needs or ask to speak to the chef directly. Be pleasant and informative. Show your appreciation by giving a sincere thank you to the chef and staff after the meal, or by mail, and leaving a generous tip.

Unless you know the restaurant, and how the food is prepared, order a plain meal such as broiled fish or meat without seasoning or added ingredients, a baked potato, steamed vegetables, and a tossed salad without croutons. Have plain fruit, sherbet or GF vanilla ice cream for dessert. Often a GF meal can be made from side dish and appetizer offerings. Order wine (without fillers), potato vodka, rum or tequila drinks as a cocktail.

Let the chef know that it is necessary that your meal be prepared using separate utensils and on a clean surface. Have aluminum foil used under food while preparing and cooking to prevent cross contamination. Likewise, have a paper towel used on the preparation area for a sandwich.

Restaurants commonly have commercially prepared pilafs, mixed rice, soups, sauces, au juice, marinades, and salad dressings that have wheat. Risk eating only those that are homemade using fresh ingredients, and when all of the ingredients are known. Baked meat and fish are often coated with flour, either in their packaging or as part of their preparation. Flavored coffees may be unsafe.

Deep fried foods will be contaminated with wheat. Before ordering French-fries in a fast food outlet, be sure they are prepared in oil that has not been shared with other items. Do not accept a plate that has a bread product on it, this includes rolls, cookies, and croutons. Ask that a new plate be prepared for you. Poached eggs are sometimes prepared in water distilled with white vinegar added.

Carry items with you that you will not expect to have available. Examples: 1. A GF muffin or roll and your own salad dressing (or ask for a lemon wedge) for most dinners. 2. Your own GF soy sauce for a Chinese dinner. 3. GF steak sauce or special seasonings as needed. 4. Wrapped pre-prepared/toasted bread to be reheated for breakfast and/or lunch (or carry GF rice cakes or crackers). 5. Small rice crackers or tortilla chips for appetizers. 6. Some Italian restaurants will prepare your GF pasta for you, or will reheat your pre-prepared pasta, to use with their sauce

Traverse Area GF Support Group 3/2000
Information adapted from Tri County CSSG, GiG, CSA, and Bob & Ruth’s Dining Club publications, The Gluten Free Gourmet by Bette Hagman, Against the Grain by Jax Peters Lowell, GF Living by Ann Whelan, and member suggestions.

It helps to call the restaurant ahead of your visit, or you can alert them to your needs when you make the reservation. When you are attending a banquet or wedding dinner, etc., you will need to make your own arrangements for your meal with the caterers ahead of time. Call at a slow time and ask to speak to the catering manager or to the chef if possible. If the wedding is out of town write to the facility and send them diet information. Most restaurants are happy to accommodate your needs.

Develop a relationship with the staff of restaurants you enjoy. Plan a meeting with the chef, at his convenience, to talk about your dietary needs. Learn the ingredients in your favorite dishes and how they are prepared. Suggest possible substitutions. Have the GF meal choices marked on a menu and note the substitutions that can be made. Ask that a copy of the GF menu be kept at the desk for other celiac diners.

Acquire knowledge of ethnic cuisine’s which are rice or corn based. Learn what special preparations need to be made to make them suitable for your diet. Try some of them. Be sure, however, that there will not be a language barrier at the restaurant you choose.

Be conscious of cross contamination at a salad bar, smorgasbord, buffet, potluck dinner, etc. It could be caused by the placement of items, shared utensils, or from crumbs or pieces of non-GF items falling from plates onto safe food.


DINING AT SOMEONE’S HOME
Ask your hostess to set aside a plain piece of meat, fish or chicken before extra ingredients are added. Have it prepared separately. Also, ask that a portion of salad be set aside before dressings or croutons are added. Offer to bring a dish so you’ll know you have at least one safe dish. Or, carry a simple dinner (ie. casserole) in a small container to heat in the microwave. You can enjoy it along with the safe items being served to others.


DINING WITH CHILDREN
All of the above suggestions apply. Bring crackers for the child to eat while others are enjoying the bread. Most children’s entrees are not suitable for a celiac. The regular menu may offer foods that can be combined to make a meal. If the menu will have few choices for a child, bring a sandwich or a simple dinner with you to be heated in the microwave. Most restaurants are willing to do this if they understand that there is a medical need. They will understand the term allergy, even if CD is not truly an allergy. You may wish to bring along a cookie, cupcake or candy for dessert. For pizza parlor visits, bring the celiacs serving wrapped tightly in foil. If your child is attending a party, either at a restaurant or a home, call ahead to let them know your child’s situation. Ask what will be served and tell them that you will be sending food with your child. It helps to have cupcakes and snacks on hand so that your child does not feel left out at a party.


The basic rules are to plan ahead and to keep it simple

Traverse Area GF Support Group 3/2000
Information adapted from Tri County CSSG, GiG, CSA, and Bob & Ruth’s Dining Club publications, The Gluten Free Gourmet by Bette Hagman, Against the Grain by Jax Peters Lowell, GF Living by Ann Whelan, and member suggestions.

[klasyjo]

© 1998-2004 The Gluten-Free Pantry - ******************** copied in it's entirety.

Guidelines for Preparing a Gluten-Free Restaurant Meal
I have a severe reaction to gluten and thank you for preparing a meal that I can safely eat. I appreciate your effort-- plain and simple food is just fine.

I cannot digest the gluten in wheat, rye, oats or barley. Even a crumb or speck of flour made from those grains will make me ill. Please be careful not to make my food in pans that have flour or crumbs on them from other food preparation. Please do not use oil that was previously used for frying breaded foods.

I cannot have bread, breadcrumbs, flour, whole wheat flour, semolina, soy sauce, rye breadcrumbs and flour, barley malt, pearl barley, orzo, oats, oat flour or oatmeal, starch (unless it's from corn, tapioca, or potato), modified food starch, hydrolyzed vegetable or plant protein, cakes, cookies, buns or rolls, and sauces made from canned or powdered stocks.

Please do not put croutons on or near my salad or breadcrumbs or toast on my food. Please do not put cookies in or near my dessert. I must also avoid low fat mayonnaise, yogurt, marinated foods and foods covered in barbecue sauce (unless the ingredients are known). I cannot eat foods covered in most sauces and gravies.

Thank you for your help!
© 1998-2004 The Gluten-Free Pantry - ********************

[klasyjo]

I believe I wrote this up when I was planning a trip and emailed to various restaurants before I went.

Hello.

I will be traveling to __________and ___________ this Saturday. I am writing in advance to see if your restaurant can accommodate my dietary needs.

I have Celiac Spru - an autoimmune disease where my body does not absorb nutrients due to gluten. Gluten is found in wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn, and faro), and related grains - rye, tritcale, barley and oats. Due to this I am not allowed to have any food, derivatives or ingredients that contain these because I can become ill. http://www.celiac.org/cd-main.html http://www.csaceliacs.org/

I can eat rice, corn, plain vegetables, grilled meats, salad and other various foods as long as there is no cross contamination. Gluten Free food needs to be prepared separately, on clean surfaces, no shared utensils and placed on clean serving ware away from other foods that are not Gluten Free.

I carry a restaurant card and a list of forbidden food and ingredients. If it would be helpful I can email you a copy of it or you may use this website as a reference - http://www.gluten.net/diet.html and http://www.gluten.net/downloads/infopackets/QuickStart-Mar04.pdf


Please let me know if your chef can accommodate my dietary needs. I will be reachable by _____________. Thank you very much for your help.

Sincerely,

[klasyjo]

This was copied in its entirety from the original BT by Nide44 in the Peripheral Neuropathy forum. I still love this one!

LETTER TO PEOPLE WITHOUT CHRONIC PAIN:

Having chronic pain means many things change, and a lot of them are invisible. Unlike having cancer or being hurt in an accident, most people do not understand even a little about chronic pain and its effects, and of those that think they know, many are actually misinformed.

In the spirit of informing those who wish to understand. These are the things that I would like you to understand about me before you judge me...

Please understand that being sick doesn't mean I'm not still a human being. I have to spend most of my day in considerable pain and exhaustion, and if you visit, sometimes I probably don't seem like much fun to be with, but I'm still me-- stuck inside this body. I still worry about school, my family, my friends, and most of the time I'd still like to hear you talk about yours, too.

Please understand the difference between "happy" and "healthy". When you've got the flu, you probably feel miserable with it, but I've been sick for years. I can't be miserable all the time. In fact, I work hard at not being miserable. So, if you're talking to me and I sound happy, it means I'm happy. That's all. It doesn't mean that I'm not in a lot of pain, or extremely tired, or that I'm getting better, or any of those things.

Please don't say, "Oh, you're sounding better!" or "But you look so healthy! ¨
I am merely coping. I am sounding happy and trying to look normal. If you want to comment on that, you're welcome.

Please understand that being able to stand up for ten minutes doesn't necessarily mean that I can stand up for twenty minutes, or an hour. Just because I managed to stand up for thirty minutes yesterday doesn't mean that I can do the same today. With a lot of diseases you're either paralyzed, or you can move. With this one, it gets more confusing everyday. It can be like a yo-yo. I never know from day to day, how I am going to feel when I wake up. In most cases, I never know from minute to minute. That is one of the hardest and most frustrating components of chronic pain.

Please repeat the above paragraph substituting, "sitting", "walking", "thinking", concentrating, "being sociable" and so on ... it applies to everything. That's what chronic pain does to you.

Please understand that chronic pain is variable. It's quite possible (for many, it's common) that one day I am able to walk to the park and back, while the next day I'll have trouble getting to the next room.

Please don't attack me when I'm ill by saying, "But you did it before!" or "Oh, come on, I know you can do this!" ¡¨ If you want me to do something, then ask if I can.

In a similar vein, I may need to cancel a previous commitment at the last minute. If this happens, please do not take it personally. If you are able, please try to always remember how very lucky you are--to be physically able to do all of the things that you can do.

Please understand that "getting out and doing things" does not make me feel better, and can often make me seriously worse. You don't know what I go through or how I suffer in my own private time. Telling me that I need to exercise, or do some things to get my mind off of it¨ may frustrate me to tears, and is not correct if I was capable of doing some things any or all of the time, don't you know that I would? I am working with my doctor and I am doing what I am supposed to do.

Another statement that hurts is, "You just need to push yourself more, try harder.” Obviously, chronic pain can deal with the whole body, or be localized to specific areas. Sometimes participating in a single activity for a short or a long period of time can cause more damage and physical pain than you could ever imagine. Not to mention the recovery time, which can be intense. You can't always read it on my face or in my body language.

Also, chronic pain may cause secondary depression (wouldn't you get depressed and down if you were hurting constantly for months or years?), but it is not created by depression.

Please understand that if I say I have to sit down/lie down/stay in bed/or take these pills now, that probably means that I do have to do it right now - it can't be put off or forgotten just because I'm somewhere, or am right in the middle of doing something. Chronic pain does not forgive, nor does it wait for anyone.

If you want to suggest a cure to me, please don't. It's not because I don't appreciate the thought, and it's not because I don't want to get well. Lord knows that isn't true. In all likelihood, if you've heard of it or tried it, so have I. In some cases, I have been made sicker, not better. This can involve side effects or allergic reactions. It also includes failure, which in and of it self can make me feel even lower.

If there were something that cured, or even helped people with my form of chronic pain, then we'd know about it. There is worldwide networking (both on and off the Internet) between people with chronic pain. If something worked, we would KNOW. It's definitely not for lack of trying. If, after reading this, you still feel the need to suggest a cure, then so be it. I may take what you said and discuss it with my doctor.

If I seem touchy, it's probably because I am. It's not how I try to be. As a matter of fact, I try very hard to be normal. I hope you will try to understand. I have been, and am still, going through a lot. Chronic pain is hard for you to understand unless you have had it. It wreaks havoc on the body and the mind. It is exhausting and exasperating.

Almost all the time, I know that I am doing my best to cope with this, and live my life to the best of my ability. I ask you to bear with me, and accept me as I am.
I know that you cannot literally understand my situation unless you have been in my shoes, but as much as is possible, I am asking you to try to be understanding in general.

In many ways I depend on you - people who are not sick. I need you to visit me when I am too sick to go out. Sometimes I need you help me with the shopping, cooking or cleaning. I may need you to take me to the doctor, or to the store.
You are my link to the normalcy of life. You can help me to keep in touch with the parts of life that I miss and fully intend to undertake again, just as soon as I am able.

I know that I asked a lot from you, and I do thank you for listening. It really does mean a lot.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH PEOPLE IN PAIN

People with chronic pain seem unreliable (we can't count on ourselves). When feeling better we promise things (and mean it); when in serious pain, we may not even show up.

An action or situation may result in pain several hours later, or even the next day. Delayed pain is confusing to people who have never experienced it.

Pain can inhibit listening and other communication skills. It's like having someone shouting at you, or trying to talk with a fire alarm going off in the room. The effect of pain on the mind can seem like attention deficit disorder. So you may have to repeat a request, or write things down for a person with chronic pain. Don't take it personally, or think that they are stupid.

The senses can overload while in pain. For example, noises that wouldn't normally bother you seem too much.

Patience may seem short. We can't wait in a long line; can't wait for a long drawn out conversation.

Don't always ask, "How are you" unless you are genuinely prepared to listen it just point’s attention inward.

Pain can sometimes trigger psychological disabilities (usually very temporary). When in pain, a small task, like hanging out the laundry, can seem like a huge wall, too high to climb over. An hour later the same job may be quite OK. It is sane to be depressed occasionally when you hurt.

Pain can come on fairly quickly and unexpectedly. Pain sometimes abates after a short rest. Chronic pain people appear to arrive and fade unpredictably to others.

Knowing where a refuge is, such as a couch, a bed, or comfortable chair, is as important as knowing where a bathroom is. A visit is much more enjoyable if the chronic pain person knows there is a refuge if needed. A person with chronic pain may not want to go anywhere that has no refuge (e.g. no place to sit or lie down).

Small acts of kindness can seem like huge acts of mercy to a person in pain. Your offer of a pillow or a cup of tea can be a really big thing to a person who is feeling temporarily helpless in the face of encroaching pain.

Not all pain is easy to locate or describe. Sometimes there is a body-wide feeling of discomfort, with hard to describe pains in the entire back, or in both legs, but not in one particular spot you can point to. Our vocabulary for pain is very limited, compared to the body's ability to feel varieties of discomfort.

We may not have a good "reason" for the pain. Medical science is still limited in its understanding of pain. Many people have pain that is not yet classified by doctors as an officially recognized "disease". That does not reduce the pain, - it only reduces our ability to give it a label, and to have you believe us.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Copied from posting by Nide44: BLASTED for using handicapped placard! - In the Peripheral Neuropathy forum of Brain Talk Communities

[klasyjo]

Here is some information and resources about ADA.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress. To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.

Title I requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from the full range of employment-related opportunities available to others. For example, it prohibits discrimination in recruitment, hiring, promotions, training, pay, social activities, and other privileges of employment. It restricts questions that can be asked about an applicant's disability before a job offer is made, and it requires that employers make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities, unless it results in undue hardship. Religious entities with 15 or more employees are covered under title I.

Title II covers all activities of State and local governments regardless of the government entity's size or receipt of Federal funding. Title II requires that State and local governments give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all of their programs, services, and activities (e.g. public education, employment, transportation, recreation, health care, social services, courts, voting, and town meetings).

State and local governments are required to follow specific architectural standards in the new construction and alteration of their buildings. They also must relocate programs or otherwise provide access in inaccessible older buildings, and communicate effectively with people who have hearing, vision, or speech disabilities. Public entities are not required to take actions that would result in undue financial and administrative burdens. They are required to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures where necessary to avoid discrimination, unless they can demonstrate that doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity being provided.

Title III covers businesses and nonprofit service providers that are public accommodations, privately operated entities offering certain types of courses and examinations, privately operated transportation, and commercial facilities. Public accommodations are private entities who own, lease, lease to, or operate facilities such as restaurants, retail stores, hotels, movie theaters, private schools, convention centers, doctors' offices, homeless shelters, transportation depots, zoos, funeral homes, day care centers, and recreation facilities including sports stadiums and fitness clubs. Transportation services provided by private entities are also covered by title III.

Public accommodations must comply with basic nondiscrimination requirements that prohibit exclusion, segregation, and unequal treatment. They also must comply with specific requirements related to architectural standards for new and altered buildings; reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures; effective communication with people with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities; and other access requirements. Additionally, public accommodations must remove barriers in existing buildings where it is easy to do so without much difficulty or expense, given the public accommodation's resources.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm

[klasyjo]

here is some of the ADA information
Title III prohibits discrimination based on disability in public accommodations. Private entities covered by title III include places of lodging, establishments serving food and drink, places of exhibition or entertainment, places of public gathering, sales or rental establishments, service establishments, stations used for specified public transportation, places of public display or collection, places of recreation, places of education, social service center establishments, and places of exercise or recreation. Title III also covers commercial facilities (such as warehouses, factories, and office buildings), private transportation services, and licensing and testing practices. http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/t3compfm.htm

Public entity. A public entity covered by title II is defined as --
1) Any State or local government;
2) Any department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or local government; or
3) Certain commuter authorities as well as AMTRAK.
As defined, the term "public entity" does not include the Federal Government. Title II, therefore, does not apply to the Federal Government, which is covered by sections 501 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Title II protects three categories of individuals with disabilities:
1) Individuals who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
2) Individuals who have a record of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limited one or more of the individual's major life activities; and
3) Individuals who are regarded as having such an impairment, whether they have the impairment or not.
Physical or mental impairments. The first category of persons covered by the definition of an individual with a disability is restricted to those with "physical or mental impairments." Physical impairments include --
1) Physiological disorders or conditions;
2) Cosmetic disfigurement; or
3) Anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs (which would include speech organs that are not respiratory such as vocal cords, soft palate, tongue, etc.); respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine.
Specific examples of physical impairments include orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, HIV disease (symptomatic or asymptomatic), tuberculosis, drug addiction, and alcoholism.
Mental impairments include mental or psychological disorders, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.
To constitute a "disability," a condition must substantially limit a major life activity. Major life activities include such activities as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.
When does an impairment "substantially limit" a major life activity? There is no absolute standard for determining when an impairment is a substantial limitation. Some impairments obviously or by their nature substantially limit the ability of an individual to engage in a major life activity.
ILLUSTRATION 1: A person who is deaf is substantially limited in the major life activity of hearing. A person with a minor hearing impairment, on the other hand, may not be substantially limited.
ILLUSTRATION 2: A person with traumatic brain injury may be substantially limited in the major life activities of caring for one's self, learning, and working because of memory deficit, confusion, contextual difficulties, and inability to reason appropriately.
An impairment substantially interferes with the accomplishment of a major life activity when the individual's important life activities are restricted as to the conditions, manner, or duration under which they can be performed in comparison to most people.
ILLUSTRATION 1: A person with a minor vision impairment, such as 20/40 vision, does not have a substantial impairment of the major life activity of seeing.
ILLUSTRATION 2: A person who can walk for 10 miles continuously is not substantially limited in walking merely because, on the eleventh mile, he or she begins to experience pain, because most people would not be able to walk eleven miles without experiencing some discomfort.
Are "temporary" mental or physical impairments covered by title II? Yes, if the impairment substantially limits a major life activity. The issue of whether a temporary impairment is significant enough to be a disability must be resolved on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration both the duration (or expected duration) of the impairment and the extent to which it actually limits a major life activity of the affected individual.
ILLUSTRATION: During a house fire, M received burns affecting his hands and arms. While it is expected that, with treatment, M will eventually recover full use of his hands, in the meantime he requires assistance in performing basic tasks required to care for himself such as eating and dressing. Because M's burns are expected to substantially limit a major life activity (caring for one's self) for a significant period of time, M would be considered to have a disability covered by title II.
If a person's impairment is greatly lessened or eliminated through the use of aids or devices, would the person still be considered an individual with a disability? Whether a person has a disability is assessed without regard to the availability of mitigating measures, such as reasonable modifications, auxiliary aids and services, services and devices of a personal nature, or medication. For example, a person with severe hearing loss is substantially limited in the major life activity of hearing, even though the loss may be improved through the use of a hearing aid. Likewise, persons with impairments, such as epilepsy or diabetes, that, if untreated, would substantially limit a major life activity, are still individuals with disabilities under the ADA, even if the debilitating consequences of the impairment are controlled by medication.
The ADA protects not only those individuals with disabilities who actually have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, but also those with a record of such an impairment. This protected group includes --
1) A person who has a history of an impairment that substantially limited a major life activity but who has recovered from the impairment. Examples of individuals who have a history of an impairment are persons who have histories of mental or emotional illness, drug addiction, alcoholism, heart disease, or cancer.
2) Persons who have been misclassified as having an impairment. Examples include persons who have been erroneously diagnosed as mentally retarded or mentally ill.
The ADA also protects certain persons who are regarded by a public entity as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, whether or not that person actually has an impairment. Three typical situations are covered by this category:
1) An individual who has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities, but who is treated as if the impairment does substantially limit a major life activity;
ILLUSTRATION: A, an individual with mild diabetes controlled by medication, is barred by the staff of a county-sponsored summer camp from participation in certain sports because of her diabetes. Even though A does not actually have an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, she is protected under the ADA because she is treated as though she does.
2) An individual who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others towards the impairment;
ILLUSTRATION: B, a three-year old child born with a prominent facial disfigurement, has been refused admittance to a county-run day care program on the grounds that her presence in the program might upset the other children. B is an individual with a physical impairment that substantially limits her major life activities only as the result of the attitudes of others toward her impairment.
3) An individual who has no impairments but who is treated by a public entity as having an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
ILLUSTRATION: C is excluded from a county-sponsored soccer team because the coach believes rumors that C is infected with the HIV virus. Even though these rumors are untrue, C is protected under the ADA, because he is being subjected to discrimination by the county based on the belief that he has an impairment that substantially limits major life activities (i.e., the belief that he is infected with HIV).

[klasyjo]

here is the last of the ada information
In order to be an individual protected by title II, the individual must be a "qualified" individual with a disability. To be qualified, the individual with a disability must meet the essential eligibility requirements for receipt of services or participation in a public entity's programs, activities, or services with or without --
1) Reasonable modifications to a public entity's rules, policies, or practices;
2) Removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers; or
3) Provision of auxiliary aids and services.
The "essential eligibility requirements" for participation in many activities of public entities may be minimal. For example, most public entities provide information about their programs, activities, and services upon request. In such situations, the only "eligibility requirement" for receipt of such information would be the request for it. However, under other circumstances, the "essential eligibility requirements" imposed by a public entity may be quite stringent.

Section 504 was implemented in 1977 for federally assisted programs in regulations issued by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Later, other Federal agencies issued their own regulations for the programs and activities that they funded. Public entities should be familiar with those regulations from their experience in applying for Federal grant programs. As mandated by the ADA, the requirements for public entities under title II are consistent with and, in many areas, identical to the requirements of the section 504 regulations.
The ADA, like other civil rights statutes, prohibits the denial of services or benefits on specified discriminatory grounds. Just as a government office cannot refuse to issue food stamps or other benefits to an individual on the basis of his or her race, it cannot refuse to provide benefits solely because an individual has a disability.
ILLUSTRATION: A city cannot refuse to admit an individual to a city council meeting that is open to the public merely because the individual is deaf.
The ADA provides for equality of opportunity, but does not guarantee equality of results. The foundation of many of the specific requirements in the Department's regulations is the principle that individuals with disabilities must be provided an equally effective opportunity to participate in or benefit from a public entity's aids, benefits, and services.
ILLUSTRATION 1: A deaf individual does not receive an equal opportunity to benefit from attending a city council meeting if he or she does not have access to what is said.
ILLUSTRATION 2: An individual who uses a wheelchair will not have an equal opportunity to participate in a program if applications must be filed in a second-floor office of a building without an elevator, because he or she would not be able to reach the office.
ILLUSTRATION 3: Use of printed information alone is not "equally effective" for individuals with vision impairments who cannot read written material.
On the other hand, as long as persons with disabilities are afforded an equally effective opportunity to participate in or benefit from a public entity's aids, benefits, and services, the ADA's guarantee of equal opportunity is not violated.
ILLUSTRATION 4: A person who uses a wheelchair seeks to run for a State elective office. State law requires the candidate to collect petition signatures in order to qualify for placement on the primary election ballot. Going door-to-door to collect signatures is difficult or, in many cases, impossible for the candidate because of the general inaccessibility of private homes. The law, however, provides over five months to collect the signatures and allows them to be collected by persons other than the candidate both through the mail and at any site where registered voters congregate. With these features, the law affords an equally effective opportunity for the individual who uses a wheelchair to seek placement on the ballot and to participate in the primary election process.
Also, the ADA generally does not require a State or local government entity to provide additional services for individuals with disabilities that are not provided for individuals without disabilities.
ILLUSTRATION 5: The ADA does not require a city government to provide snow removal service for the private driveways of residents with disabilities, if the city does not provide such service for residents without disabilities.
Specific requirements for physical access to programs and communications are discussed in detail below, but the general principle underlying these obligations is the mandate for an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from a public entity's services, programs, and activities.
A public entity may not impose eligibility criteria for participation in its programs, services, or activities that either screen out or tend to screen out persons with disabilities, unless it can show that such requirements are necessary for the provision of the service, program, or activity.

A public entity must reasonably modify its policies, practices, or procedures to avoid discrimination. If the public entity can demonstrate, however, that the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of its service, program, or activity, it is not required to make the modification.

In addition to title II's employment coverage, title I of the ADA and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibit employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities by certain public entities. Title I of the ADA, which is primarily enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), prohibits job discrimination --
1) Effective July 26, 1992, by State and local employers with 25 or more employees; and
2) Effective July 26, 1994, by State and local employers with 15 or more employees. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination in employment in programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance, including federally funded State or local programs or activities. Each Federal agency that extends financial assistance is responsible for enforcement of section 504 in the programs it funds.
What standards are used to determine compliance under title II? For those public entities that are subject to title I of the ADA, title II adopts the standards of title I. In all other cases, the section 504 standards for employment apply. On October 29, 1992, legislation reauthorizing the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was signed by the President. The law amended section 504 to conform its provisions barring employment discrimination to those applied under title I of the ADA. Thus, employment standards under section 504 are now identical to those under title I.
As of January 26, 1992, all public entities must ensure that their employment practices and policies do not discriminate on the basis of disability against qualified individuals with disabilities in every aspect of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, demotion, layoff and return from layoff, compensation, job assignments, job classifications, paid or unpaid leave, fringe benefits, training, and employer- sponsored activities, including recreational or social programs.

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/taman2.html

Other Resources:
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/t2cmpfrm.htm

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/investag.htm

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/aprjun05.htm

http://www.ada.gov/

http://www.eeoc.gov/

http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/crc/crcwelcome.htm

http://www.ada.gov/certcode.htm

[Leslieand]

Becki, What wonderful info! I hope these are in the Gluten File.
Leslie

[klasyjo]

I've been meaning to add to the stickys to the gluten file both here and BT2 but just haven't got to it yet. I have some information on my pc and some on cd now.

I'm getting ready to dump my computer and have it rebuilt. So I'll be offline soon for a bit - need more ram, upgrade windows, etc. It's due seems I got this one back in 2001 and have only added memory to it. I'm hoping to get this done yet this week so I can get it back sooner.

I'm doing ok, the weather is just killing me and I'm having a hard time again with social events. Just feel like an outsider, try to show up after the food stuff but never works and people just don't understand cross contamination and how it can effect me. Maybe part of it is feeling sorry for myself because their food looks so darn good but I keep telling myself it's poison. After nearly two years being GF I just don't do well with aspect of it. Plus the holidays are coming up and that just makes it worse.

[annelb]

Great info. I notice that some forums are getting "Useful Websites" stickys. We need one too.

Sorry that you feel like an outsider when at a social function. I think I know exactly how you feel. I often eat before going out so I don't go hungry. Holidays are definitely the worse. I know that many people who are GF have solved that problem by doing the cooking. I don't have a good answer. :(

On a positive note I was just told that except for the flour tortillas, the Holiday Party for the place I work will be GF. For the past 3 years they have made a GF meal for me. This year I will be able to eat the same as everyone else. I guess real progress would be corn or rice tortillas for everyone ;)
Anne