Title IX Pregnancy Accommodations

Reasonable Adjustments and Accommodations for Pregnant Students

Reasonable Adjustments

The United States Department of Education’s (DOE) regulation implementing Title IX specifically prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. The DOE requires that Universities provide pregnant students with “reasonable adjustments” that may be necessary due to the pregnancy. The Title IX Office can help facilitate the reasonable adjustments that a pregnant student might need.

A person sitting at a desk with a pharmacist

Medical Complications

If a student’s pregnancy involves a medical complication that impacts one or more major life functions, the student may be considered “temporarily disabled”, and the student may be referred to the Student & Access Resource Center (SAR Center), formerly the Office of Disability Services to receive additional accommodation.

FAQ

The first thing you should do is speak to your professor or instructor during office hours. Depending on the adjustment needed, the professor may be able to arrange adjustments for you without involving the Title IX Office or SAR Center. Not all professors are familiar with Title IX or ADA regulations, so if your professor tells you that you need to request assistance from the Title IX office of the SAR Center, don’t worry.

Students experiencing normal pregnancies typically need “reasonable adjustments” and would go to the Title IX Office. Pregnant students experiencing medical complications with their pregnancy generally have doctor’s notes and should go to the SAR Center. A good rule of thumb is whether or not you have a doctor’s note indicating that you need a particular accommodation. If you need assistance with something that a doctor has not put into writing, you likely need a “reasonable adjustment”, which would be handled through the Title IX office.

Alternatively, if you have medical documentation outlining a necessary accommodation due to a complication with your pregnancy, you will likely need to receive the accommodation through the SAR Center. If you are still unsure about which office can help you, you may contact either office and discuss your situation. They will be able to tell you whether you are in the right place or need to start in the other office.

Reasonable adjustments may include things like provision of a larger desk, excused late arrival and absences due to doctor appointments, allowing frequent trips to the restroom, or sipping water or eating food during tests, if necessary due to your pregnancy. It could also include taking exams or turning in assignments early or late due to a birth. Please keep in mind that because every pregnancy is unique, and every pregnant student has unique needs, this is not an exhaustive list.