Note-taking Process and Procedures

Note-taking accommodations are provided to students who encounter disability-related barriers with taking notes.  

Students with disability-related access barriers who are requesting accommodations will follow the established process for requesting accommodations: 

  1. Completing a New SDC Student Application 
  2. Contacting the SDC to set up an appointment 
  3. Engaging in the interactive accommodations process
  4. Submitting relevant documentation, as needed

Accommodation Procedures

If note-taking accommodations are approved the following will occur: 

  • The student will log on to their SDC Student Portal to send their accommodation letter to their instructor. The accommodation letter will provide details about what kinds of note-taking accommodations the student has been approved for.  
  • The student and instructor must communicate about the use of the accommodation in the context of the course and any logistics associated with it. 
  • The instructor will take any necessary steps to implement the accommodation.  
  • If any questions or concerns arise, the student and/or the instructor will contact the SDC as soon as possible to inform them of the questions or concerns. The SDC staff will assist in answering any questions or resolving any concerns that arise.  

Accommodation Provisions

Use of Assistive Technology for Note-Taking

  • The student can use one or more pieces of technology to assist with note-taking. This can include, but is not limited to, programs installed on a computer, tablet, or phone; digital audio recorder, LiveScribe Pen, specialized software/apps, etc.  
  • Using this assistive technology may assist students with:
    • Recording class lecture audio. 
    • Taking photos of the board, slides, diagrams, or any other academic content that is being presented to the class. 
    • Using a word processor for note-taking.  
  • This accommodation does not allow students to record videos of class or lecture.   
  • Audio recordings are to be used by the student for academic purposes only.  
  • Audio recordings and/ or other content captured through the use of assistive technology should not be shared with others.   

Access to Copies of Lecture Materials

  • This accommodation typically allows students to have access to copies of any materials presented to the class. This can include, but is not limited to, PowerPoint/lecture Slides, handouts and documents presented on a document camera, or any other content that is presented to the entire class. This does not include the instructor’s personal lecture notes/outline. 
  • For courses that use materials that include practice questions, example problems, etc. where answers are revealed, the answers do not need to be included in the materials provided to the student. 
  • Copies of lecture materials need to be provided to the student prior to the class session they will be used for. Providing the materials at the start of class is allowed.  
  • Copies of lecture materials will not be provided to students on days they do not attend class; unless they are approved for attendance flexibility accommodations or at the instructor’s discretion.  
  • Copies of lecture materials are to be used by the student for academic purposes only.  
  • Students will not share their copies of the lecture materials with any other student or distribute them to others in any way. 
  • If a student has been found to have distributed their copies of lecture materials, this may be treated as an incident of academic misconduct and referred to the student conduct process.

Note-Taker

  • This accommodation allows for students to have someone take notes for them.  
  • The SDC will work with instructors to coordinate note-takers.  
  • Notes will not be provided to students on days they do not attend class; unless they are approved for attendance flexibility accommodations or at the instructor’s discretion. 
  • Notes provided by a note-taker are to be used by the student for academic purposes only.  
  • Students will not share their provided notes with any other student or distribute them to others in any way.  

Fundamental Alteration

If a faculty member believes that note taking accommodations will create a fundamental alteration to the essential objectives,  they must engage with SDC’s fundamental alteration process to determine whether this is a fundamental alteration. Until a determination has been made through this process, the accommodation needs to be provided to the student. If it is determined that an accommodation needs to be adjusted that will be communicated to the student by the SDC.