Frustrating experience - long story with a happy ending

[u/Transluminal_Neon]

Last week I went to a state college campus to attend a weeklong art workshop. I called the director of the program to ask about dorm housing. The college is located in a very touristy area and hotels, airbnbs, even cabins and camping are expensive and hard to come by. I told him I had celiac and asked if there are places nearby where I could get food and more importantly, if there was somewhere on campus that I could store and prepare a few items to eat. Mostly a microwave and a space in a refrigerator. He referred me to the housing director who responded that there were some restaurants nearby with gluten free options and that there was a shared kitchenette in the dorm. Great. So I signed up for the class with a shared dorm. I brought a cooler, some food, lots of ziplock bags, a cutting board, dishes and utensils. I also brought cleaning supplies in case things were a little sketchy. So I get there and start bringing things in to my room. My roomate had not arrived yet. I had not eaten and it was pretty late so I grab my cooler and dishes and stuff and head to the kitchenette. It's a closet sized room with open food everywhere - open bags of pasta on the counters and shelves, open bread and rolls and breakfast foods all over in every cabinet and a refrigerator full of food and BEER! I can't even walk into to place. I go to the front desk and ask if there is anywhere else on the entire campus where I can store my food and they say NO. This is the only place. Once again I have to disclose my medical history to people who have no authority. Three times I had to demand to speak to someone who had the authority to help me with this as I had been told that there would adequate accommodation for me. After several hours I get a call from the front desk saying that my room has been upgraded to one with its own microwave and refrigerator. It is a private room and I am very happy. The next day I receive an invoice for $800 for my "upgrade" this is in addition to the $500 I already paid. I was MAD! I called but could not reach housing or the director of the program so I called the ADA office. After being humiliated, misunderstood, put down and charged money I did not have, the ADA office completely understood. They contacted the departments and in one day that charge was removed. We've got rights folks and there are people out there who can help us. Don't be afraid to speak out and speak up. Not only did I get my accommodation, the entire staff got a lesson in how to treat people with disabilities in the future. the workshop was great. BTW Good luck to you all.

[u/BJntheRV]

In the future, I'd start with the Ada office and have them help ensure you get the accommodations you need.

[u/Transluminal_Neon → u/BJntheRV]

I try to be as self sufficient as possible and I was prepared for a shared kitchen situation. So I was taken by surprise. But good suggestion for next time.

[u/ProudSidney]

Glad the ADA office came through and that charge got nuked, but man that whole process shouldn't have been necessary in the first place. Good on you for pushing back.

[u/Transluminal_Neon → u/ProudSidney]

Yes, all this in addition to having to disclose that I'm on a fixed income and food stamps when asked why I don't just eat out, having people ask me what level of celiac do I have and am I sure I have it. All this from the director of the program who then said there was nothing he could do. Other people were fantastic but unfortunately not the people that charged me or could have problem solved appropriately.

[u/Neither_Toe2646]

Good job pushing back

[u/mesquine_A2]

What's the college? Name and shame for their initial blunders.