Qualified students interested in receiving notes for their courses are required to meet with the Disability Services Coordinator (DSC) at the start of each semester to request this accommodation for the necessary courses. This request should be made in person. A scheduled appointment is preferred, but not required. Qualified students interested in receiving notes for their courses are required to contact the Disability Services Coordinator (DSC) at the start of each semester to request this accommodation for the necessary courses. A scheduled appointment is required. To request this accommodation, please contact Melissa Wood at mwood@hsc.edu or at (434) 223-6061. The Disability Services Coordinator office is located in the Student Health Center.

Note-recipient Guidelines

1. Qualified students in need of course notes must contact the Disability Services Coordinator (DSC) at the start of each semester to request this accommodation for the necessary courses. A timely request is essential. Notes can be obtained later in the term; however, the student is only eligible for class notes after the initial request.

2. If you decide to change or drop courses, please notify the DSC immediately.

3. Promptly inform the DSC if there are any issues with your notes. You should be specific regarding the nature of your concern so as to allow the DSC to adequately address the concern.  Examples of your concern can be most helpful.

4. Notes will be sent to the student electronically on a weekly basis. If the student is unable to receive notes electronically or if an accommodation or condition prevents this method of transmission, please contact the DSC so that alternate arrangements may be made.

5. Class attendance is a must! Notes are not a substitute for missing class, but a supplement to your note-taking for the course.

6. You are advised to also audio record your classes. This can be especially helpful at the beginning of the term while a note-taker is being recruited. Recording the class will allow you to supplement your notes with information that you may have missed during the lecture. You will be assured to have access to the information presented in the class and will have a variety of formats for reviewing the material.

Note-takers are not automatically introduced to the student for whom they are taking notes. They are not given information about the student requesting notes and are instructed to keep any knowledge they may have regarding the student with a disability confidential. Students who wish to contact their note taker should speak with the DSC.  

Note-taker Guidelines

1. Binders with loose-leaf paper are available, if necessary, for volunteer note-takers. Note-takers may use these binders to facilitate the ease and efficiency of copying notes each week. Please write on the front of the page only.

2. Class attendance is of the utmost priority for your success, as well as, the benefit of the note recipient.

3. Please place the date and course title (ex: WCUL 101-1/15/14) at the start of each class lecture.

4. Notes should be in pen and written legibly in a modified outline format (whenever possible) for ease in reading and understanding. Math notes can be taken in pencil, but press firmly to improve the readability of the copy.

5. Use white space effectively—Separate topics and leave margins.

6. If you add personal insights to your notes- mark your comment(s) as "me" or "mine."

7. If you use non-standard abbreviations, please provide a key for atypical notations.

8. Take notes about class assignments (especially due dates) in addition to the lecture material.

9. Take consistent notes throughout the entire class period.

10. Notes should not be a word-for-word account of the lecture. Summarize as needed.

11. Email a copy of notes to the Disability Services Coordinator once each week and at least three days before an exam to ensure the recipient has the necessary notes for the assessment. The email address of the DSC is mwood@hsc.edu. Please make sure your notes have the dates and course clearly marked. If you are unable to email the notes, please contact the DSC so that alternate arrangements may be made.

12. If you are absent from class due to a school conflict or illness, please borrow a classmate's notes for the day of your absence and make 2 copies-one for you and one for your note recipient.

If the recipient of your notes self-discloses his identity to you or you become aware of his identity during the course of the term, you are instructed to keep any knowledge that you may have regarding the student with a disability confidential. The HSC Code of Conduct is applicable.  

There are many reasons why a student may need assistance processing and/or transcribing verbal information into written notes. These disabilities may be visible or invisible. 

Your notes (and time) make a huge difference for a student. Thank you for volunteering!   

Disability Services Coordinator (DSC) Guidelines

1. The DSC will seek note-takers in requested courses promptly with the goal of filling the request(s) within 5-7 business days.

2. Recipients will be notified via e-mail when their note-taking requests have been filled.

3. The DSC is responsible for providing the notes to the recipient in a format that is accessible to the student. 

4. The DSC will advocate for the recipient when there are issues or concerns with the notes received (or not received).

5. The DSC will offer note-taking materials (three-ring binders and loose-leaf paper) to the volunteer note-takers.

6. The DSC is responsible for evaluating the note-taking service annually.