Note-Taking

Students, regardless of disability status, are primarily responsible for their own notes; therefore, disabled students must be actively engaged in arranging for their own class notes.  However, when note-taking is determined to be a reasonable accommodation, Disability Resources and course instructors should provide support to assure student access to quality notes.

A universal design approach to reducing the need for note-taking as an accommodation for students with disabilities is for instructors to post notes on an accessible course Website.  Increasing numbers of instructors are recognizing that making complete notes for each class available on-line is a valuable teaching tool for a variety of students.  Instructors can:

• Post their own complete notes
• Post the complete notes of a course TA or preceptor
• Assign students to teams and rotate responsibility for each team to create a complete set of notes for posting each week.  This approach has the added benefit of having students work in teams and share responsibility for each other’s learning.    

If an instructor chooses not to post open notes for all students, students with disabilities can be accommodated by locating a volunteer classmate to serve as an individual note-taker. Letters of volunteer service are available to these student note-takers through Disability Resources. 
Some disabled students identify their own note-takers; others request assistance from their instructors.  Sharing responsibility for establishing note-taking for disabled students helps assure effective accommodations:

Instructor Responsibilities:

1. Receive on-line notification that note-taking is a reasonable accommodation for students. 
2. Accept a class announcement directly from a student who is requesting assistance in locating a classmate volunteer to serve as a note-taker  
3. Read the class announcement during two consecutive class periods to assist in recruiting a volunteer note-taker…. OR ask specific student, TA or preceptor to take notes for the student OR provide a hard copy of the instructor’s notes
4. Protect the confidentiality of the student(s)
5. Promote linkage between note-taker and disabled student(s)
6. Notify Disability Resources of any difficulties in locating a note-taking volunteer or with any other concerns.

Disability Resources Responsibilities:

1. Determine eligibility for note-taking services. The University of Arizona is not obligated to approve an accommodation request for note-taking when the diagnostic data provided by the student does not establish note-taking as a reasonable accommodation.
2. Provide student with class announcement for instructor, note-taking agreement for note-taker, and carbonless copy paper
3. Orient student to note-taking process and note-taking options
4. Troubleshoot problems with note-taking reported by students or instructor.
5. Conduct outreach to instructors who have a large enrollment of students who have note-taking approved as an accommodation.
6. Assist instructors in locating a volunteer classmate to take notes or in identifying options for making notes available via other channels, for example:
1. Posting notes on course Websites,
2. Sharing copies of instructor, TA, or preceptor notes, and
3. Identifying one note-taker for all students who require that accommodation and copying notes at department office (DRC can help with cost).
7. Prepare letters of volunteer service for Peer Note-takers by the end of each semester.

Student Responsibilities:

1. Request note-taking as a reasonable accommodation during meeting with Disability Resources Access Consultant
2. Identify affiliation with Disability Resources and plans to use note-taking accommodations to their instructors via the DRC on-line process as soon as possible at the beginning of the semester.
3. Independently locate a classmate who is willing to serve as a note-taker OR hand-carry a class announcement to the instructor and request that he or she read it at the beginning of two class periods. 
4. Meet with the classmate who volunteers to serve as a note-taker to discuss arrangements to share notes on a regular basis:
• Receive notes on carbonless copy paper at end of class,
• Receive notes via e-mail from the note-taker, or
• Make a copy of the notes at the Disability Resource Center or another location on campus (go with note-taker or pick up notes before next class).
5. Give note-taker the Note-Taking Agreement form.
6. If no note-taker volunteers, contact the Access Consultant and discuss options with instructor.
7. Evaluate quality and consistency of notes. Speak to note-taker if there is a problem. If a resolution is not found, dismiss the note-taker and recruit a new one.
8. Attend class on regular basis. Notes are not a substitute for attending class.
9. Report any difficulties to an Access Consultant.

Note-Taker Responsibilities:

1. Attend class on a regular basis and take comprehensive, legible notes.
2. Arrange a system of exchanging notes with the student with a disability:
1. Use carbonless copy paper (provided by the student) and exchange notes after class,
2. Email notes to the student,
3. Make copies at Disability Resource Center, or
4. Suggest another system to the student to see if it works for both of you.
3. Exchange notes with student on a regular basis.
4. Make an effort to arrange for notes to be available to the student when the note-taker is unable to attend class.
5. Turn in Note-Taking Agreement to the Disability Resource Center at least 3 weeks prior to the end of the semester to receive letter of volunteer service.
6. Talk with the student about the notes, your role, or any questions. Concerns that cannot be addressed by the student should be brought to the attention of Disability Resources staff (621-3268).
7. Maintain confidentiality at all times (do not disclose student's name or the nature of service being provided).