Please note that pregnancy alone is not considered a disability under ADA federal law. However, pregnancy related absences that are deemed medically necessary by a medical provider and/or leave from school due to pregnancy are covered under Title IX.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact the disability office and submit the required medical documentation.  *Rights under Title IX are also applicable to parenting students.  "Parenting student" means a student who is the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age. For accommodations regarding Title IX Pregnancy/Parenting Students, please contact the Disability Office at 254-526-1195.

In accordance with Title IX federal and state pregnancy/parenting student laws, students needing their pregnancy/parenting related absences/leave excused must submit medical documentation to the disability office. 

• Medical documentation must be on an official letterhead with the signature and credentials of the medical provider.

• Medical documentation must clearly state dates of pregnancy related absence(s) deemed medically necessary for prenatal care, recovery after childbirth/delivery, etc. per the student's medical provider. For parenting students, medical documentation must state that the student will need to be absent in order to care for their child and how long the care is expected to last.  

• Medical documentation must also state when the student may return back to school per the student's medical provider.

• Medical documentation must be provided to the disability office as soon as possible and prior to the end of the semester/term.

Medical documentation for accommodations may be emailed to the Director of the Disability Support Services, Dr. Christy Shank at christy.shank@ctcd.edu or faxed to Disability Support Services (DSS) office at 254-526-1700. If you need to bring in the medical documentation in person to set up accommodations, please contact the DSS office at 254-526-1195 to schedule an appointment.

For more information on Title IX pregnancy laws, please visit the following link: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-know-rights-201306-title-ix.html

Title IX Policy/Rights for Pregnant/Parenting Students:

An institution of higher education may not require a pregnant or parenting student, solely because of the student ’s status as a pregnant or parenting student or due to issues related to the student ’s pregnancy or parenting, to: (1) take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student ’s degree or certificate program; (2) limit the student ’s studies; (3) participate in an alternative program; (4) change the student ’s major, degree, or certificate program; or (5) refrain from joining or cease participating in any course, activity, or program at the institution.

An institution of higher education shall provide reasonable accommodations to a pregnant student, including accommodations that: (1) would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition; or (2) are related to the health and safety of the student and the student ’s unborn child, such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children.

An institution of higher education shall, for reasons related to a student ’s pregnancy, childbirth, or any resulting medical status or condition: (1) excuse the student ’s absence for as long as medically necessary; (2) allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments; (3) allow the student additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as the institution allows for a student with a temporary medical condition; and (4) provide the student with access to instructional materials and video recordings of lectures for classes for which the student has an excused absence under this section to the same extent that instructional materials and video recordings of lectures are made available to any other student with an excused absence.

An institution of higher education shall allow a pregnant or parenting student to: (1) take a leave of absence; (2) if in good academic standing at the time the student takes a leave of absence, return to the student ’s degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being required to reapply for admission.

*Students are responsible for directly contacting their course instructors to discuss all make up assignments and tests after they have returned back to school. 

Students may file a Title IX grievance with the Title IX Coordinator. Complaints should be filed within 10 days of the perceived violation to ensure a timely investigation of the grievance. The Title IX Coordinator is Larry Murphy and can be reached at larry.murphy@ctcd.edu or 254-501-3028 (Bldg. 267, Suite 230).