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Sunny Skies Child Care in Clawson has learned that having a peanut allergy qualifies as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The day care center expelled a child from the program after learning she had a peanut allergy.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit reached a settlement with the day care center, which agreed to change its policy to stop discriminating against any child because of a disability -- including a physical reaction to nuts or other food.
Sunny Skies, which has two Clawson sites and centers in Huntington Woods and Waterford, agreed to train its staff on the American Disabilities Act, adopt an anti-discrimination policy and pay damages to the family.
The investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office was prompted by a complaint against Sunny Skies.
“Parents across Michigan rely on child care in order to work or go to school, and they expect that their children will not be denied access to care simply because of their child’s disability,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider in a statement. “We are thankful to Sunny Skies Child Care for their cooperation in our investigation, and we are pleased that children with disabilities will continue to have access to quality child care under this settlement.”
