Thanks to the ADA – Kevin’s story

Kevin* is a typical, active toddler who has a good appetite and loves to play with his friends at daycare. His parents became worried when he suddenly wouldn’t eat. Kevin was diagnosed with low-blood sugar and needed a feeding tube. 

Kevin’s daycare provider was not sure about caring for a child with a feeding tube. Kevin’s father had to take six weeks off work to stay home and care for his son while the daycare decided on whether or not they would allow Kevin to return.   

“As working parents, we’ve relied on the individuals at our son’s daycare to help care for him while we are at work since he was only eight weeks old. After being told he couldn’t return due to having a [feeding tube] placed, we found ourselves in an incredibly tough spot,” explains Kevin’s mother.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires daycares and other places of public accommodations to provide reasonable modifications so that a person or child with a disability can enjoy a program or service just like anyone else. Eventually, the daycare provided reasonable modifications and training to its staff on how to care for a child with a feeding tube. Kevin was able to return to daycare and reunite with his friends. His parents were incredibly grateful that the ADA was there to protect their son’s rights to go to daycare.

*Not his real name.