Online Notetaker Training

Module One - Why Provide Note-taking Services?

1. The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 mandate equal access to education, employment and public services for qualified individuals with disabilities. In an educational setting, note-taking services may be deemed a reasonable accommodation. Accommodations are provided to level the playing field for individuals with disabilities and provide equal access, not to give individuals with disabilities an unfair advantage.

2. There are many different reasons why a student might receive note-taking accommodations. Examples include,

• Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and who must focus on a sign language interpreter or, if lip reading, need to focus on the instructor.
• Students who are blind or have visual, cognitive, or physical impairments. (Note: If taking notes for students who are blind or have visual impairments, notes must be taken on a laptop or computer so they can later use a screen reader to listen to the lecture).
• Students who have physical disabilities which impact their ability to take notes.

3. There are many benefits for the notetaker as well.

• Being chosen as a volunteer notetaker is a valuable experience which could be included in a resume.
• Notetakers benefit from taking notes for someone else by improving the quality and organization of class notes and it encourages regular class attendance.
• You will receive a token of appreciation for volunteering: a gift certificate for the campus bookstore, which will be available at the end of the semester at the campus bookstore customer service desk. This participation award is detailed in our recognition award.

Click here to begin the quiz for Module One:   Why Provide Note-taking Services?