What Are Notetaker Accommodations?

Notetaker accommodations are approved by Disability Support Services for Students (DSS). They are provided as a reasonable academic accommodation for a student with documented disability who has difficulty:

1. translating spoken information into a written format;
2. difficulty with multitask attention;
3. writing quickly and/or legibly.

Qualified notetakers are students who are registered in the same class as the student requesting the notetaker who volunteer to be notetakers. Some are referred by faculty or by the DSS Office. The student requesting notetakers may also refer a student. Qualified notetakers are paid a stipend per course per semester and are classified as temporary student employees of SUNY Fredonia. DSS will provide the notetaker with carbonless notepaper. In limited circumstances, it may provide access to the copier in the Learning Center to make copies of notes.

A potential limitation of using notetakers is that the student will need time and skill to successfully integrate another student's notes with his/her own. For example, it may be hard for a student to extract the main ideas from a set of highly detailed notes.

Alternatives to Notetakers:

• Tape record lectures and listen to them immediately after class. If possible, jot down the counter number on the recorder when your instructor says something particularly important so that you can fast-forward to this part of the tape later.
• Use of an AlphaSmart or laptop computer
• Ask the instructor if he/she can share copies of his/her notes, lecture outlines, web-based information, or overheads with you.
• Develop notetaking strategies. These often work best if you have completed the required readings prior to the lecture and are familiar with key concepts and background information. You may want to develop a format which allows you to combine reading notes and lecture notes.
• Devise a shorthand system using abbreviations. Leave blank spaces to fill in material later.
• Write down words the way that they sound and then look up the correct spelling later.
• Sit in the front row to avoid distractions.
• If appropriate, explore the use of medications.

Student Responsibilities:

Making the Request / Hiring

1. Contact DSS to request notetaking services as early as possible each semester by check notetakers on the accommodation request form
2. Provide DSS with documentation of disability to determine if the use of notetakers is an appropriate accommodation.
3. Work with DSS in order to determine in which classes notetakers are needed. The student is encouraged to attend classes first in order to best determine which classes will most necessitate the notetaker accommodation.
4. If possible, refer potential candidates for notetakers to DSS in order to facilitate the paperwork for hiring. Notetakers must be registered in the same class as the student requesting the notetaker. If you do not know anyone in the class that is qualified to be a notetaker, the Coordinator will provide you with an announcement for that you will deliver to the instructor.
5. The search for appropriate notetakers begins with the student’s written request. It may take some time before a notetaker is hired – please be patient. Every effort will be made to ensure that the student receives the backlog of notes from the first day of class.

Working with Your Notetaker

It is the student’s responsibility to work with their Notetakers to ensure that notes are received in a timely manner. Once notetakers have been assigned, the student will receive the notetakers’ names and local contact information. Please contact the notetakers to determine which method of providing notes will be utilized (see below) AND when the notes will be ready for pick up.

Class notes can be written carbonless notepaper supplied by DSS and can be given to the student receiving notes immediately after class. This is the method that will be used most often and is best for the student who needs the notes.

In the limited circumstances when notes are photocopied, they will need to be copied in the Learning Center within 24 hours of class (excluding weekends and holidays) and placed in the student’s folder. If this method of delivery is used, note that the student receiving the notes MUST pick up the notes from the DSS Office within 48 hours of the class. If notes are not picked up within 48 hours and the student hasn’t made any attempt to contact the DSS Office to make alternative arrangements, the notes will not be maintained.

1. Please work with your notetaker! Tell him/her if they are dong a good job! If you need more information, ask for it. Thank the notetaker for the notes periodically. Keep in mind that if you have a good relationship with your notetaker, you will be more comfortable communicating with that person and working out the details of the kind of notes you need and want.
2. Having a Notetaker does not relieve you of the necessity to attend class(es). If you do not attend class, the notetaker is not obligated to provide you with materials from the missed class(es). If there is a medically documented reason for you missing class, then notes may be distributed. It is recommended that you discuss the reason for missing class with your Notetaker. Note that permission may be required to access copies of notes under certain circumstances (e.g., excessive absences).
3. Remain actively involved in the class! At all times, you should have pen and paper available and attempt taking some notes even if you only write down what you think are key words, ideas, diagrams, pictures, etc. Compare the notes that you take with the notes that you receive from your notetaker.
4. See the DSS Coordinator for any problems with notetakers which you cannot resolve on your own.

Why is the relationship between You and Your Notetaker so important?

The relationship between you and your notetaker is very important! The notetaker is providing a service for you and is being paid for this service. It is important that you work with your notetaker to make these notes the best possible notes for you. Your feedback will help the notetaker know how to improve the notes they take. If you feel your notes are excellent and no improvements could be made, please tell your notetaker. Let him/her know they are doing a good job. This will help them have pride in their work.

1. Please be sure to print the course code or name of class and the date of the class at the top of the first page of notes and staple the pages together.
2. Notes should be made available to the student approved for the notetaking service within 24 hours of the class meeting. The Notetaker can give the notes written on carbonless notepaper directly to the student after class or leave a copy of the notes in the student's notetaking file in the DSS Office for the student to pick up.
3. Please notify the student if you will be absent from class. This will give the student the opportunity to make alternate arrangements (e.g., tape recording class, asking another student for assistance).
4. The Notetaker service is confidential. Please do not divulge to anyone the name of the student(s) for whom you are taking notes, or any information about that student.
5. Notetakers must complete any necessary paperwork in a timely manner. Paperwork required includes:

• Application
• I-9: identification is required. Please bring the following types of identification with you to Human Resources so that copies can be made for your HR file: typically a United States Social Security card (Canadian students must obtain a US Social Security Card) and drivers license or passport.
• W-4 and IT-2104

  NOTE: The stipend is paid out at the end of semester. Please note that if the proper paperwork is not completed the stipend will not be approved for payment.

6.    Please note, that having a Notetaker as an academic accommodation should not be viewed as a substitute for attending class, nor should it be seen as an excuse for missing class. The purpose of the accommodation is to support the academic needs of the student and compensate for their difficulties in taking notes for themselves. In limited circumstances you may be taking notes for someone who due to their disability will miss extensive class time. In these instances, the DSS Coordinator will let you know this so you may continue to give the notes to the student.

Notetaker Resources

Notetakers may go to http://www.netac.rit.edu/onlinenotetakertraining.html if they would like tips on how to be a more effective notetaker. Although this site was specially developed for taking notes for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, it is useful when taking notes for any student.