Note Taking Accommodations

Students may need assistance with note-taking. While not an exclusive list, there are three common accommodations used by students for assistance with note-taking.

o   Recording of Lectures. Students should be given the opportunity to record lectures using either their own electronic device, or a digital recorder, Sonocent software or Livescribe smart pen provided by the DRC. Students receiving this accommodation agree that recordings will be used solely for the purpose of note-taking and personal study.

o   Acquiring Professor’s Notes. Students with this accommodation are eligible to receive copies of their professors’ lecture notes prior to lecture, in the case that the professor has created notes or similar shareable materials. For example, if a professor has created a PowerPoint presentation, but does not intend to share with the class, a student with this accommodation should be given the presentation prior to class to aid with his/her note-taking. If the professor does not have any type of written outline, notes, and/or formal presentation, they do not need to create a set for the student, but in this case the professor should be in communication with the student and the student’s Disability Services Specialist to arrange for an alternative if necessary.

o   Scribe (Peer Note-Taker). Students approved for this accommodation may seek DRC assistance in identifying a peer note taker by completing the Request for Peer Note Taker form. The DRC will contact the roster of the class soliciting a volunteer and create an anonymous Box folder for the DRC student and the peer note taker to upload and access notes. If a peer note taker is not identified after two attempts via email, the DRC will be in contact with the instructor to arrange for an alternative.