Notetaking

• Notetaking is provided for classes in which you are enrolled and needs to be requested through myDPRC for each course, every semester. 
• Notetaking will be provided by a digital platform unless otherwise approved by your disability specialist. 
• To use, include Digital Notetaking on your accommodation request for any classes in which you need to use it. The DPRC will then submit a referral for you to set up an account on a digital notetaking platform 
• It is important to submit a Digital Notetaking request for all relevant classes, even if you already have an account on the digital platform, so the DPRC can reactivate your account and/or approve the appropriate amount of recording minutes. 
• If you drop a class or determine notetaking is no longer needed in a course, cancel your accommodation request for notetaking in myDPRC. 
• Request for services for each course will be reviewed and approved by DPRC. 
• Notetaking is not a substitute for attending class. 
• All materials furnished through the notetaking accommodation (notes, pictures, audio/video recordings, etc.) are for personal, academic use only. 
• The Student Conduct Code applies to all students and includes use of the notetaking accommodation, audio-recording classes and/or use of the digital notetaking application. This media may not be reproduced or distributed. Please review the standards for Student Conduct, in accordance with Executive Order 1098. 

Some students benefit from being able to type in-class notes to incorporate spell check and built-in layout templates for better organization. The DPRC can facilitate a conversation with any instructors concerned about the use of a computer in their lecture. 

If you are approved for this accommodation, you may select it for all relevant classes when you request accommodations in myDPRC each semester. 

Volunteer notetakers enrolled in the same course as the DPRC student may be able to share a copy of their in-class notes. Notetakers can be recruited by the student or instructor. In most cases, the volunteer will then be eligible to receive access to priority registration for the following semester. 

For some DPRC students, it may be a necessary accommodation to receive a set of typed notes from the course. The DPRC can assist in facilitating this with the volunteer notetaker if need be. 

In the event the student does not want to recruit a volunteer notetaker, the DPRC will provide access to digital notetaking (please read above) as an alternative. You are encouraged to consult with a disability specialist to review other notetaking options. 

If you are approved for this accommodation, you may select it for all relevant classes when you request accommodations in myDPRC each semester. If you have recruited your own volunteer notetaker, please email notes@sfsu.edu with your notetaker's name and SFSU ID number.  

Some instructors may already have presentation materials such as lecture notes, a power-point shown in class to introduce concepts or other materials that may be used as a supplement to the students’ own notes for the course. 

If you are approved for this accommodation, please contact a disability specialist to facilitate a conversation with your instructor on how materials will be shared. 

Audio-recording course meetings by eligible students for review after class is listed as an example of a reasonable accommodation within disability access law. As a courtesy, students are encouraged to inform instructors when audio-recording classroom instruction. Instructors are encouraged to contact the DPRC if they are concerned about the intended use of the recording. Audio-recording can be facilitated through a Smart Pen or with a borrowed audio recorder from the DPRC. 

A Smart Pen contains a digital recorder allowing recording of everything written and heard. Following a lecture, tap anywhere on your notes to replay the audio from that moment in time. This is a strategic way to go back and fill in any gaps within your notes. Pens are checked out to students for a semester at a time. 

If you are approved for this accommodation, you may select it for all relevant classes when you request accommodations in myDPRC each semester. If you require training to use a Smart Pen, please contact DPRC to schedule a training. Audio Recorders and Smart Pens can be checked out from the DPRC Front Desk in SSB 110.