Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, extends protections to employees and students who are pregnant or who are experiencing related conditions including childbirth, miscarriage, abortion, lactation, and other related conditions. The University of Washington is committed to ensuring that individuals are not denied or limited in their access to educational programs and activities due to pregnancy or related conditions.
If you are pregnant or have experienced a related condition, you may be entitled to modifications, support, and accommodations to help you stay in or return to the University’s learning and working environments.
Title IX case managers directly support students and provide consultation for faculty and staff assisting students. You can submit a Title IX Pregnancy and Related Conditions Support Form to connect with a Title IX case manager and learn more.
Title IX Pregnancy and Related Conditions Support Form
Title IX Support Response
When the Title IX Office receives a pregnancy and related conditions support request, a Title IX case manager can:
- Provide information about students’ rights.
- Explain and help students access reasonable modifications.
- Create individualized plans to help students stay in or return to school or work.
- Connect with the Disability Resources for Students offices to coordinate overlapping support.
The Title IX Office does not provide support for issues related to childcare or parental leave beyond what is necessary to recover from childbirth or another pregnancy-related health concern.
FAQs
Modifications under Title IX are designed to prevent sex-based discrimination by ensuring that students who are pregnant or experiencing related conditions are treated fairly and equitably. Modifications ensure the educational environment is flexible enough to support a student’s academic success.
Students can contact their instructors directly to request modifications before seeking support from the Title IX Office. No medical documentation needs to be provided to the University to receive a modification through Title IX. The Title IX Office is responsible for ensuring that modifications are provided when needed.
Common modifications may include:
- Extensions on deadlines or opportunities for make-up assignments or tests.
- Adjusted attendance requirements to accommodate pregnancy-related absences.
- Excused intermittent absences for healthcare appointments.
- Permission to leave class to pump or express milk.
- Extra breaks for eating, drinking, or restroom use.
- Avoiding exposure to chemicals or donning additional protective equipment.
- Contact your instructor or department. If you feel comfortable, discuss your situation with your instructor. You can request reasonable modifications from your instructor, such as make-up work, excused absences, or extended deadlines.
- Complete the Title IX Pregnancy and Related Conditions Support Request Form. This will connect you with a Title IX case manager who can guide you through obtaining support.
- Meet with a Title IX case manager. After submitting a form, a Title IX case manager will email you within three business days to schedule an appointment. During this meeting, you can share your situation and learn about options tailored to your needs.
Consider registering with Disability Resource Services (DRS). If you need accommodations due to a pregnancy-related temporary medical condition or disability, you may qualify for and benefit from DRS resources. We suggest registering with them as soon as possible because getting registered and receiving accommodations can take up to six weeks. Once registered, you will be assigned an access coordinator to assist you in receiving disability accommodations.
Student employees should also review the FAQ about employees accessing support.
- Follow guidance from Human Resources. For employee accommodations, modifications, or medical leave, follow the UW Human Resources (UWHR) guidance.
- Contact the Disability Services Office (DSO). If you need further assistance or have questions, contact the DSO. They can help with disability-related support during pregnancy and related medical conditions.
- Complete the Pregnancy and Related Conditions Support Form. If your needs are not met after working with UWHR and DSO, you can complete the Title IX Pregnancy and Related Conditions Support Request Form. This will connect you with a Title IX case manager who can guide you through obtaining support.
If you’ve requested a reasonable modification from an instructor or supervisor that has been denied, you may contact the Title IX Office for further assistance.
If you believe someone has discriminated against you or engaged in harassment because of your sex or gender, including because of your pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, complete an online Title IX report form to get connected with a Title IX case manager who will meet with you and explain formal and informal options for addressing your concerns.
The Title IX Office collaborates with the Disability Resources for Students (DRS) offices on all three campuses to help students access accommodations. DRS’s services for academic environments are based on documentation from healthcare providers and address the needs of individuals with disabilities, temporary medical conditions, or pregnancy-related limitations.
Examples of accommodations include:
- A larger desk
- Access to elevators
- Formal excused absences related to pregnancy complications or childbirth
- Formal requests to allow time to make up missed work
- Disability parking
- Note-taking services
To learn more, see the list of accommodations available.
If you are giving birth or have a temporary medical condition or disability, we encourage you to register with the DRS office in case accommodations are needed in the future. Please note that DRS requires documentation and follows a specific process to provide services.
Some students may want to take a break from classes after giving birth, experiencing complications, or managing a related medical condition. The process for requesting and accessing leave may vary depending on your student status.
- Undergraduates: You may take breaks according to your program requirements as an undergraduate student. Talk to your program or department and review the withdrawal and leave policies on the Office of the University Registrar website to learn more.
- Graduate students: Review the graduate on leave policy relevant to your role and contact your department to discuss your options.
- Professional students: Review the withdrawal and leave policies on the Office of the University Registrar’s website and contact your department to discuss your options.
The duration of leave you may need and its effect on your academic progress will depend on your medical needs, program requirements, and timing within the academic year. Extended leave may necessitate enrolling in additional quarters to complete your coursework and could have financial implications.
After your leave, you can return to your previous student status. However, this might affect which courses are available for students in professional programs. You may need to wait for classes that are only offered at specific times.
Consider taking the following actions as soon as possible:
- Create a plan: Meet with a Title IX case manager as early as possible to create a tailored plan for your pregnancy and childbirth.
- Contact your department: Coordinate with your department to arrange leave for childbirth and postpartum recovery. Plans may be tentative until after childbirth, when you will need a letter from your healthcare provider detailing the medically necessary leave.
Your department may refer you to Disability Resources for Students (DRS). If DRS doesn’t approve the full leave your healthcare provider recommends, contact a Title IX case manager for additional support.
Yes, the location of lactation stations can be found at the links below.
UW campuses
UW Medical Centers
Title IX rights and protections do not include support or assistance with childcare. If you are a student, the childcare assistance programs on the Bothell, Seattle, and Tacoma campuses may provide information about helping you cover childcare costs.
Employees and students are eligible for childcare programs coordinated by UW Human Resources. For more information, consult the childcare and caregiving section of the UWHR website.