What can I do to assist students with disabilities who are eligible for notetaking services but reluctant to request and recruit a fellow classmate for copies of notes?
At the secondary level, I will usually ask the student privately if s/he wants a note-taker. It is handy to have volunteers already selected beforehand. Some students accept and some refuse. In other cases, students will request copies of the class notes on printed handouts. Modified notes also work for secondary students, where students are only accountable for filling in key words and concepts, while the rest of the information is provided for them on the printed notes. In any case, if help is offered and the student refuses, it is important not to force help on the student unless it is blatantly clear that they cannot pass without the help.
A. Consider providing the course syllabus, instructor notes, and objectives on an accessible Web site. Include a statement in your syllabus encouraging students with disabilities who need academic adjustments to contact the student disability resource center. Encourage students to meet with you to implement appropriate accommodations. If a student requests your assistance in locating a notetaker, offer to make a general announcement in class. Have interested student(s) meet with you after class or during office hours to make arrangements. Avoid specific references to the student with a disability. Rather, emphasize the campus commitment to provide equal access and accommodations for qualified students in support of learning. It is advisable to also request a notetaker through disability services since they may have already recruited notetakers for other students in the class. Q.
