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Note-Taking Assistance

Note-taking assistance is assigned as an accommodation for students whose functional limitations, based on a documented disability, indicate the need for assistance to provide access to classroom/lecture notes.  A temporary disability might cause the need for note taking assistance (i.e., broken arm) for which the coordinator may request a prognosis from the student’s physician to determine the time frame note-taking assistance would be assigned.  There are several options available for this accommodation.

PowerPoint

The majority of instructors who use PowerPoints provide copies online through Blackboard. However, if the PowerPoints are unavailable to download or print or if an overhead projector is used, copies might be requested as an accommodation.

Digital Recorders

The student might be assigned an accommodation to use a digital recorder as a means of audio-recording the class lecture. When assigned this accommodation the student may use his/her mobile device or a personal digital recorder. Digital recorders are available for loan from the ODS on a first come, first serve basis.

Students may request training for the use of Sonocent Audio Notetaker software available in the Hawk’s Nest Assistive Resources Lab (Room 231A, MMED).  This software can be used with smartphones and digital recorders to edit audio recorded notes.

LiveScribe™ SmartPens are available for loan through the ODS.  Training and technical support is available by appointment.

When recording lectures it is important that clear recordings are obtained, so it is suggested that the student sits close enough to the instructor to obtain the recording.  In some cases, the student might be assigned the accommodation of reserved seating closer to the instructor or on the first row.

When equipment is loaned to students from the ODS, a loan agreement is completed and signed by the student.  All loaned equipment must be returned by the last day of the semester in which the equipment is loaned, or a hold can be placed on the student’s account preventing the student from accessing grades earned at LSCPA until the equipment is returned.  If a student experiences technical difficulties with a piece of equipment loaned through the ODS, the student should report the issue(s) to the ODS Coordinator as soon as possible, to resolve the issue(s).

Note-Taking Assistance from a Note-Taker

Note-taking assistance can be arranged through the ODS.  The student is required to complete a note-taker request to ensure a note-taker is found for the correct course.  The note-taker is a classmate who agrees to become a student employee at LSCPA and share class notes with the student who makes the request.  All students who make this request must complete the request form. Forms are available from the ODS Coordinator in Room 231 of the MMED building.

The student will be contacted by the ODS Assistive Technology Assistant, once a note-taker is hired.  This service is confidential, and the note-taker will not be informed the name of the student who requested the set of notes.

Although a copy of each day’s lecture notes will be provided, it is highly recommended that the student continue to take notes in classes and use the additional set of notes to supplement his/her set of class notes. 

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the notes provided by the note-taker after each class.  The notes will be available from the ODS Coordinator in Room 231 of the MMED building.

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Note-taking assistance is not a substitute for attending class. When you miss class for a non-disability-related reason, you must make alternative arrangements for obtaining notes.