Our team is responsible for ensuring that students and employees are provided reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions, as well as adoption or placement of a foster child.  

For students:

• You must be excused for absences for as long as your healthcare provider says it is necessary;
• Your instructors cannot require medical documentation to support any related absences unless they require all absent students to provide such documentation;
• You must be allowed to make up any assignments, quizzes, or exams without penalty when you return from a related absence;
• You cannot be made to take time off if you choose not to do so.

The makeup assignments and tests must be reasonably equivalent to those missed, but need not be identical. If an instructor provides specific “points” or other advantages to students based on class attendance, you must be given the opportunity to earn back the credit from classes missed due to pregnancy, childbirth, or other related conditions.

For employees:

• Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, employers are required to provide “reasonable accommodations” to a worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause the employer an undue hardship. 
• Under Title IX, pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and resulting disability or recovery must be treated the same as any temporary disability for all job-related purposes, including the provision of accommodations and other services.
• You may be entitled to accommodation of your pregnancy-related health condition under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• If eligible, you may be entitled to take leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for the birth or adoption of a child or the placement of a foster child, your own serious health condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, or caring for a spouse with a serious health condition related to pregnancy or childbirth.
• Discouraging employees from seeking or using their legally-guaranteed accommodations may be considered discrimination.

Accommodations Questions & Requests

UMKC provides reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions, for both mother and partner, as well as the adoption of a child or placement of a foster child, including adjustments to attendance requirements, course due dates, leaves of absence, and other similar academic and employment modifications. 

Student pregnancy-related accommodations can be requested by visiting the Student Accessibility Services website, or calling 816-235-6363.  

Employee pregnancy or related accommodations can be requested by completing the Pregnancy & Related Accommodations form, or contacting Morgan Gill at mesd5x@umkc.edu or 816-235-6910.  

Lactation Spaces on Campus 
Missouri law allows for a parent, with discretion, to breastfeed their child in any public location where the parent is otherwise authorized to be, including public spaces on the UMKC campus. However, if you would rather exercise your choice to breastfeed or pump in a private location, the University has options available. Additionally, our team can assist in making alternative arrangements should the listed options not meet your reasonable needs.

Know Your Rights 
You are protected from discrimination as a student at UMKC under Title IX if you are pregnant or have experienced childbirth or false pregnancy or terminated a pregnancy, or are recovering from any of these conditions, as is your partner. To better understand your rights, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has provided information on classes and University activities, excused absences and medical leave, harassment, policies and procedures, and helpful tips.

The Pregnant and Parenting Students’ Rights Toolkit 
The National Women’s Law Center’s toolkit for pregnant and parenting students outlines the Title IX requirements the University must follow and actions students can take when faced with discriminatory practices.

FAQs for College and Graduate Students 
The National Women’s Law Center has provided information on the rights of pregnant and parenting students under Title IX in the form of Frequently Answered Questions.

Pregnant@Work
This online resource center provides tools and educational materials for pregnant and breastfeeding workers.

The Pregnant Scholar – List of Conditions and Accommodations 
This table provides some frequently experienced pregnancy-related conditions, and the potential accommodations provided in response.

Pregnancy or Parental Leave
This site provides information related to job protections and leave for pregnant and parenting employees.

A Better Balance
A national nonprofit advocacy organization that uses the power of the law to advance justice for workers, so they can care for themselves and their loved ones without jeopardizing their economic security.