Note-Taking Accommodations

Accessibility and Disability Services strives to provide students with the tools they need to be independent learners at the college level. We offer access to assistive technology, access to powerpoints, and on-demand training that can support students' request for notetaking services.  Students with a disability-related need for notetaking assistance will discuss their options with their ADS specialist.  

Audio Recording Software

For students who have been granted permission to make an audio recording of classes as a disability accommodation, they must follow and sign the following policy every semester:

Under the ADS classroom accommodation of “audio recording device”, the student is allowed to use a recording device, application or software to record class lectures for personal study use. The student is expected to inform their instructor prior to recording by sharing their Letter of Accommodation. The student agrees to not share the recorded lectures with any other person without the consent of the lecturer. The recorded lecture is protected under federal copyright law and may not be published or quoted without the express written consent of the lecturer, and then only if the lecturer is properly identified and credited. The student agrees to erase all recordings of the lectures within 30 days after the final examination for the course.

Glean 

Glean is a notetaking and audio-recording software that allows students to capture lecture material, organize content, identify important points, and study efficiently. Glean is a cloud-based program with both desktop and app versions which can help you develop strong note taking skills.

Check out this demo video to review features such:

  • Audio recording lectures
  • Transcribe lecture audio into searchable text
  • Note-taking with time stamps
  • Upload lecture slides
  • Quiz-Me (newly added!)
  • Summarize lectures (newly added!)

Access to Powerpoints

Access to PowerPoints is a great option for students who struggle to copy material down from slides during lectures. By allowing access to slides, students can focus on what professors are saying and participate more actively in class.

Peer Notetaking Services

For lecture-based classes, ADS will provide a notetaker for students who, due to a disability, cannot use the other notetaking supports outlined above. Note takers are typically another student enrolled in the course who will take notes and provide copies via the Notetaker Network in Accommodate within 24hrs of the course.  This accommodation is not considered a substitute for a student’s class attendance or participation. If notes are available online or from the instructor, note-taking assistance may not be indicated.