Colonial Williamsburg Forced Boy With Gluten Allergy To Eat Outside: Suit

A divided federal appeals court has ruled that a family's lawsuit against Colonial Williamsburg should be heard by a jury. The family filed a suit against the living-history museum alleging that they violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for refusing to allow their son to eat a gluten-free meal he brought from home.

The young boy has celiac disease and must eat a specific gluten-free diet. The boy was on a class trip and went to Shields Tavern for lunch. The boy's father, who was a chaperone on the trip, began preparing a chicken sandwich for his son and was told that outside food was not allowed in the restaurant. A waitress explained that it was a violation of the Virginia health code.

The head chef offered to make him a gluten-free meal, but he refused to take them up on the offer. His parents say that they are incredibly cautious because their son has had issues with other restaurants promising to make gluten-free meals in the past.

The restaurant refused to budge and told the boy and his father that they must eat outside.

The family says the restaurant's policy is discriminatory and violates not only the ADA but also the Rehabilitation Act and the Virginians with Disabilities Act.

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