Pregnancy itself is not a disability, but many of its complications and side effects can be under the ADAAA. Pregnant women are also protected from discrimination by Title IX even when a pregnancy produces no complications.
Schools must treat pregnant students in the same way that they treat similarly situated students. Thus, any special services provided to students who have temporary medical conditions must also be provided to pregnant students. . . .
Every college or university handles providing support to pregnant and parenting students a bit differently. As noted above, pregnancy can be thought of as similar to a temporary disability, so the disability services office is the institutional entity that provides support to pregnant (and parenting) students. Other schools may have a different office work with pregnant and parenting students, perhaps only calling on the disability services office for support and assistance if the pregnancy has complications or is a difficult pregnancy.
The sites below have been developed to provide information and resources to students who are pregnant or parenting. If you need assistance as a pregnant or parenting student, the student services office may be a good place to ask who you should contact.
Pregnant and Parenting Students Rights: FAQ for College and Graduate Students – Title IX: Although not a disability issue, DSS professionals may be asked about accommodating pregnant students. Prepared by the National Women’s Law Center, this fact sheet for pregnant and parenting students may help answer many common questions.
The NCCSD Clearinghouse and Resource Library – Pregnancy: The National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD) has developed a FAQ resource to help pregnant and parenting students understand their rights and suggests resources at their school.
Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students Under Title IX of the Education Act Amendments of 1972: This 32 page pamphlet is a 2013 revision and update of a Department of Education document first published in 1991. It has a FAQ section, and discusses strategies to assist educators in supporting pregnant and parenting students and more. It is important to note that: “[A]lthough this pamphlet focuses on secondary schools, the underlying legal principles apply to all recipients of federal financial assistance, including post-secondary institutions.”
The Pregnant Scholar Project: This site provides resources for students, postdocs, faculty, administrators, and others in institutions of higher education, including colleges, community colleges, universities, and similar programs. Material at the site is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number (IIA-1449752) and is part of the Center for WorkLife Law at University of California Hastings College of the Law.
WINAHEAD 