Note-Taking Assistance

The Center for Disability Resources (CDR) may determine that the provision of note-taking assistance is an effective auxiliary aid/service for qualified students with disabilities.  The determination of the specific type of note-taking assistance is made on an individualized basis through an interactive process with a CDR Access Coordinator.

Types of Note-Taking Assistance may include, without limitation:

  • Use of a laptop or tablet in class
  • Use of a recording device
    • LiveScribe Pen (these pens allow a student to record a lecture and sync their own notes to the audio recording)
    • Speech-to-text transcriptions, available in applications such as Microsoft Word, OneNote, and Google Docs
    • AudioNote (software that provides the same functionality as the LiveScribe pen)
  • Use of a Peer Note-Taker
    • The student who requires note-taking assistance will receive notes posted to the portal’s Note-taker Network by a peer enrolled in the same class.

Students may request note-taking assistance at any time before or during the semester.  Students already authorized to receive a peer note-taker may also request note-taking assistance.

Where it is determined that use of a peer note-taker is an effective and necessary auxiliary aid, the service will not be conditioned on the availability of a peer note-taker, or subject to the discretion of faculty to provide notes.

If a student is unsure of the optimal type of note-taking assistance and needs guidance, the student should call the office to schedule a meeting with a CDR Access Coordinator or a member of the CDR Note-Taking Staff.

Students who already receive note-taking assistance may contact the CDR Note-Taking Coordinator via the SUnotes email to report problems or issues.