Accommodating Pregnancy-Related Conditions - The Pregnant Scholar
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Accommodating Pregnancy-Related Conditions

What is an accommodation or modification?

In order to be able to continue their studies, some students with impairments relating to pregnancy, childbirth, abortion, or miscarriage may need an adjustment in how, when, or where they complete their academic work. Colleges and universities must provide reasonable modifications under Title IX.

Here are some examples of pregnancy-related reasonable modifcations:

“Mary” needed to use the bathroom often due to pregnancy. Mary’s university enabled her to take her exams near a bathroom and provided extra test time for breaks so that her grades wouldn’t suffer from spending precious exam minutes in the bathroom.
“Janet” has pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome. Her college provided her with a note-taker when typing became too difficult.
“Jesse” couldn’t lift and move heavy lab equipment while recovering from her C-section. The school allowed others to assist her.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ACCOMMODATIONS

STEPS TO SEEK AN ACCOMMODATION

Step 1: Identify what you need

If you are faced with a challenging condition, remember that your symptoms and needs are not always apparent to professors and schools administrators.  The first step is to think about your condition and the ways that the institution can help accommodate you so that you can continue your studies.

 

Example: Janet has severe hand pain, and was diagnosed with a pregnancy-related carpal tunnel. Because she can’t type her notes in class, she decides that it would be helpful if she could record class.