Note-taker Guidelines

Are you a Student Accessibility Services (formerly DSPS) student who needs a note-taker?

SAS assists in connecting students with note-takers in order to provide reasonable accommodations to eligible students. Please use the following as a guide to both student and note-taker responsibilities and procedures.

Additionally, please fill out a note-taker contract when taking notes for SAS. This contract is available in the main office.

 

Students Requesting Note-taking Services

Note-taking accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis, based on an individual’s documentation to be determined by a SAS counselor. Note-taking accommodations are not a replacement for attendance. Note-taking accommodations may include: the use of smartpen to record notes and lecture audio, a digital audio recorder, a qualified CART notetaker arranged by SAS, use of a laptop for note-taking, a peer note-taker (volunteer), and/or access to Professor/Instructor/Faculty notes, PowerPoints and outlines.

Students who are eligible for note-taking accommodations must have an accommodations letter from their counselor. The student can approach the note-taker directly before class and ask them to take notes. In that case, please supply the note-taker with NCR paper. The use of NCR paper is one of three available options to volunteer note-takers. NCR paper is available at the main office, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 9:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. during the regular academic year. During the summer session our hours may vary. If you have any questions please contact the front desk or visit the SAS homepage for the latest news and operating hours. If the note-taker or the student are unable to come by our office, please contact the Support Services Specialist at (415) 457-8811, ext. 7706 to make alternate arrangements.

However, the student can also inform the instructor before class and they will request note-taking services on your behalf. In either case, please provide the note-taker or the instructor with the note-taker service form also available at the SAS office.

If you are absent, the note-taker cannot provide notes for any missed class session. If you are late to class, the note-taker will only provide notes for the portion of the class session you attend. Note-taking services are never provided as a substitute for class attendance.

For any other questions, please contact the SAS Front Desk at (415) 485-9406 or the Support Services Specialist at (415) 457-8811 ext. 7706.

 

Note-takers

Thank you for providing note-taking services for our program. The following outline is designed to help clarify responsibilities and procedures.

The student you are taking notes for will supply you with NCR paper. If you run out of paper, more is available at the SAS office, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 9:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. during the regular academic year. During the summer session our hours may vary. If you have any questions please contact the front desk or visit the SAS homepage for the latest news and operating hours. If you or the student are unable to come by our office, please contact the Support Services Specialist at (415) 457-8811, ext. 7706 to make alternate arrangements.

If the student for whom you are taking notes is absent, we ask that you do not provide notes for the missed class. If the student is tardy, you may only provide notes for the portion of class he or she attends. note-taking services are never provided as a substitute for class attendance. If the student requests notes for classes he or she missed, please notify the Support Services Specialist.

The student requesting note-taking services should either approach you directly and ask that you take notes for him or her, or the instructor will request the note-taking services. If you are unclear as to whom you are taking notes for, please ask the instructor, or call the Support Services Specialist.

The student requesting the service or the instructor should give you a form to fill out, please return this completed with the information requested on the sheet to the SAS office. Please return this form as soon as possible so that we have a record of your service.

In exchange for note-taking services, the volunteer notetaker will receive a letter of recommendation to add to their resume/CV at their request, in addition to the use of NCR notetaker materials. The volunteer can also request the semester use of a Livescribe smartpen provided by the Assistive Technology Specialist in order to facilitate the notetaking process as a benefit for taking notes for the entire semester.

If you are unable to attend a class, please notify the Support Services Specialist before class and with as much advance notice as possible so we can make alternate arrangements. If you are unable to continue providing the note-taking service for any reason, please notify the Support Services Specialist at (415) 457-8811, ext. 7706 as soon as possible.

As a note-taker, it is your responsibility to provide clear and legible notes on in-class material. We ask that you clarify abbreviations and handwriting for the student. However, you are not required to provide explanations of class work or subject matter. You are also not required to provide notes on work done outside of class.

For all questions, comments, and concerns, please call the Support Services Specialist at (415) 457-8811, ext. 7706.