Faculty Role in Obtaining Note Takers

To:  Faculty

The Student Development Center provides accommodations to all students with approved accommodations for a disability. One accommodation, the need for note taking services, has increased over the last several years and it appears this trend will continue. In order to insure note takers are fulfilling their responsibilities, students requiring note takers are receiving the service they by law are to receive and, hopefully, to make the process smooth for you as the instructor, the following guidelines have been set for note takers (please see attachment).

All you need to do as an instructor is:

1.      A student diagnosed with a disability will provide you with a signed letter from the Student Development Center stating a note taker is required;

2.      On the first or second day of class (depending on when the student provides a letter to you), please announce a note taker for the course is needed. The name or disability cannot be disclosed to the class under any circumstance. The announcement could be: “There is a need for a note taker in this class for the duration of the course. You will be paid for fulfilling this responsibility. You must be a serious student, attend every class, take complete and accurate notes and they must be legible. After making copies either in the Division Office or the Student Development Center you will provide a copy of the notes to the student. If you are interested, please meet me immediately after class today in my office.” If the student diagnosed with a disability wishes to self disclose to the note taker please make sure the student and note taker(s) exchange contact information. Then, please make sure the student and note taker(s) exchange contact information. Please send the note taker to see Ms. Annie Sims in the Student Development Center to make final arrangements.  You may have excellent students you already know who you recommend for this service. They can be paid for doing what they would be doing anyway, except for making copies and providing the copies to the student!

In some cases, students will be encouraged to record lectures, as well, so they can better learn to take their own notes in addition to the use of a note taker.

For your information, attached please find the agreement form a note taker must sign in order to serve in this important and helpful role.

Thank you ahead of time for helping to accommodate our students diagnosed with a disability. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Development Center at 391-5135.

Last updated Wednesday, January 07, 2009 04:58 PM