There are multiple state and federal laws that have been enacted over the years to ensure the rights of pregnant and parenting students.
Your Rights and the Law:
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Makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, abortion or related conditions, including recovery.
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Ensures the right to take medically necessary leave and to be free of harassment or intimidation because of pregnancy-related conditions, including childbirth and recovery.
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Applies in and out of the classroom, including school-sponsored extracurricular activities, internships, athletics, financial aid and scholarships, and lab and clinical work.
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Requires schools to provide pregnant students with services and accommodations equal to those provided to non-pregnant students. Pregnant students may also be eligible for pregnancy-related disability services under the ADA.
IECC Protects Your Rights
Your rights are protected under 3 policies at IECC: Preventing Sexual Misconduct Policy, Nondiscrimination Policy, and ADA. Supplemental to these policies are the following guidelines for students at IECC:
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IECC will not require students to limit their studies as the result of pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions.
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The benefits and services provided to students affected by pregnancy will be no less than those provided to students with temporary medical conditions.
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Students with pregnancy-related disabilities, like any student with a short-term or temporary disability, are entitled to reasonable accommodations and may seek assistance from the ADA Coordinator on campus and in the manner outlined here.
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Reasonable accommodations may include, for instance:
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Providing accommodations to protect the health and safety of the student and/or the pregnancy (such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from hazardous substances);
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Making modifications to the physical environment (such as accessible seating);
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Providing mobility support;
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Extending deadlines and/or allowing the student to make up tests or assignments missed for pregnancy-related absences;
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Offering remote learning options;
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Excusing medically-necessary absences (this must be granted regardless of classroom attendance requirements set by a faculty member);
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Implementing incomplete grades for classes that will be resumed at a future date;
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Allowing breastfeeding students reasonable time and space to pump breast milk in a location that is private, clean, and reasonably accessible.
Grievances should be reported in the manner described in the Preventing Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedure.