Pregnancy-Related Disabilities and Accommodations
Who provides support
Several campus offices help ensure access and support for pregnancy and related conditions.
Disability Services assists students whose pregnancy or related medical condition has a disability-related impact.
The ADA Compliance Office supports faculty and staff whose pregnancy or related medical condition has a disability-related impact.
The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) provides broader support for pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and parenting-related needs for all members of the CU Boulder community.
If you are unsure where to start, you can reach out to any of these offices. Staff will make sure you are connected to the right place.
When to contact Disability Services
Students should contact Disability Services if they are experiencing pregnancy-related medical complications or conditions that affect their ability to participate in academic activities.
Examples of conditions that may qualify as disabilities include but are not limited to:
- Gestational diabetes
- Preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension
- Severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum)
- Pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome
- Postpartum depression or anxiety
- Recovery following a complicated delivery or C-section
Disability Services can help determine reasonable accommodations to support you while maintaining the essential objectives of your courses.
Step One: Submit an Online Application
To register, first complete and submit an Application for Accommodations. Inadequate and/or incomplete answers may delay the eligibility review process. Please contact Disability Services if you are having any trouble accessing the form.
Email: dsinfo@colorado.edu
Phone: 303-492-8671
Fax: 303-492-5601
Step Two: Schedule an Access Meeting
Once the Application for Accommodations has been submitted online, you will be notified by email to schedule an access meeting to discuss accommodations, procedures and services. The access meeting will typically last about 45 minutes, but students working with Disability Services can review key information to prepare ahead of their meeting.
While documentation is not required to schedule an access meeting, we encourage students to submit their documentation as soon as possible. For some accommodation requests, Disability Services may determine that an access meeting is not necessary. However, students always have the option to request a meeting with their access coordinator if they choose.
Step Three: Submit Documentation
Students requesting reasonable accommodations and/or services must submit documentation of a disabling condition to verify eligibility. Students are required to submit documentation regarding the diagnosis(es) that demonstrates a disability covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 as amended (2008).
Please review our Documentation Guidelines for Academic Accommodations for additional information. All documentation is kept confidential. Additional forms of documentation may include:
- Medical providers may fill out our Disability Verification Form.
- A letter from a qualified medical professional.
- Psychological evaluation(s).
- Psychoeducational evaluation(s) with standardized test scores.
- A physician’s medical records.
How to submit documentation:
- Submit as part of your Application for Accommodations.
- Upload into Accommodate.
- Email to your access coordinator or dsinfo@colorado.edu.
- Fax to 303-5601.
Drop-off in-person at Center for Community, N200.
Step Four: Disability Services Reviews Submitted Documentation
The access coordinator will provide a Notice of Determination to the student within five (5) business days following the start of the review process. This 5-day time limit may be extended at the discretion of the access coordinator, upon written notice to the student. In order to initiate the review process, the student must submit an Application for Accommodations and provide supporting documentation.
Step Five: Log in to Accommodate
After the access meeting, students will receive a Notice of Determination regarding their accommodation requests and registration status. Once registered, students log in to Accommodate to submit Semester Requests in order to send accommodation letters to instructors each semester. Students must communicate with each instructor to discuss the arrangements for receiving accommodations. Instructors do not have to provide accommodations to students if they have not been informed of the need in a timely manner.