Policies and Procedures

Notetaking Assistance Policy and Procedure

Policy

Notetaking assistance is provided as an accommodation for students whose documented disabilities interfere with their abilities to take notes. Notetaker assistance is intended for a student's personal study use only and is not to be shared with other individuals. This service is provided as a necessary academic accommodation and is not considered a substitute for a student's full participation in each class.Please note, if notes are available on-line or from the instructor, notetaking assistance may not be indicated. However, if you feel your situation warrants special consideration, you must contact Donna Korbel, Director of the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), to discuss your needs.

Students are responsible for notifying the CSD if suitable arrangements are not made within the first two weeks of class or if other difficulties occur during the semester. Notetakers are required to provide notes within 24 hours of each class.

Procedure

• Prior to the start of the new semester or within the first two weeks, students requesting notetaking assistance must meet with their disability service provider and provide appropriate documentation to be considered for this accommodation.
• If the student is approved for this accommodation, he/she will hand deliver an accommodation letter to the faculty member of each class for which notes are being requested.
• An e-mail will be sent to each requested class seeking a qualified notetaker.  Qualifications include regular class attendance, legible and comprehensive notes and the completion of an online notetaking assistance training program.
• Once a notetaker has been identified, an e-mail notification will be sent to the student and faculty member identifying the notetaker.  Students are reminded that they are responsible for notifying the CSD if notes are not received in a timely manner or if any concerns regarding the notes arise.
• Students will have notes e-mailed to them directly by the CSD unless requested otherwise. Other options are to receive notes directly from the notetaker after each class or to pickup notes at the CSD on at least a weekly basis.  Students will choose their preferred method prior to hand-carrying the accommodation letters to their faculty members.

Electronic Notes

• In an effort to reduce the amount of paper generated by the notetaking accommodation process, the CSD has transitioned to an electronic notetaking system as the standard means for receiving and distributing class notes.
• Unless you request other arrangements, all notes will be e-mail to your preferred e-mail address as a Word Document or Adobe PDF file. Similarly, notetakers will be asked to type class notes or scan them if the content of the notes is not conducive to word processing software.
• Notes are still expected to be submitted within 24 hours of the class and will be sent to you as soon as they are received and processed by the CSD.
• If you require notes in a non-electronic format, please let your disability service provider know when you request your notes.

Student Responsibilities

• Prior to a new semester or within the first two weeks, request your accommodations at the CSD
• Identify the preferred method for receiving notes – either directly from the notetaker after each class or picking notes up on at least a weekly basis at the CSD
• Pick up and hand carry your accommodation letters to your faculty members.
• IMPORTANT it is your responsibility to contact the CSD at 486-2020 or csdnotetaking@uconn.edu as soon as possible if any of the following occur:
• Class notes are available online and you no longer need a notetaker
• You make changes to your class schedule
• You have not received notification that a notetaker has been hired
• Any concerns arise regarding the quality and timeliness of your notes
• For general inquiries or information, please contact the CSD notetaking coordinator, Jeff Carter, at 486-2020

CSD Responsibilities

• Review documentation and recommend appropriate accommodations
• Generate accommodation letters to faculty on behalf of the student
• Assure that qualified notetakers are identified and provide appropriate training
• Resolve issues that arise regarding this accommodation

Faculty Responsibilities

• Discuss this accommodation with the students and provide support as needed
• If a notetaker is not identified within the first two weeks of the semester, assist the CSD in identifying other alternatives
• Notify the CSD if notes are available online or are made available to all students in the class

Notetaker Responsibilities

• Complete a notetaker contract, employment application, and online training
• If known, maintain the confidentiality of the identity of the student for whom you are taking notes
• Within 24 hours after each class, provide notes in the student’s preferred method, which will be shared at the time of hiring

• Notify the CSD regarding the availability of notes on-line
• Attend each class

• Make sure that notes are legible and comprehensive
• Contact the CSD immediately if for some reason you are unable to continue as a notetaker so that alternate arrangements can be made (e.g. if you change your schedule)
• Fill out time sheets weekly for student payroll
• If you have any questions or concerns, you are encouraged to contact Jeff Carter at 486-2020

Policy modified August 2008