North Dakota State University
Disability Services
On-line
Volunteer Note-taker
Training
• You have been selected by the instructor
of your class as a volunteer note-taker.
Note-takers are designated for the entire
semester, are responsible, dependable
and provide the notes in a timely manner.
• Note-takers DO NOT function as
substitutes for class attendance or as a
reader/tutor in the subject matter.
Disability Services (DS) staff approve class
notes as a reasonable accommodation to
eligible students with disabilities. The
functional impact of these students’
disabilities adversely affect their ability to
take their own notes.
Tutorial
After completing this tutorial, you will be
directed to a certificate. Please print the
Certificate of Completion. You will then
need to schedule an appointment with
Beth Fiechtner, Accommodations
Coordinator, 231-8463, to complete the
Volunteer Services Agreement form.
NOTE: Please bring the certificate of
completion to DS at the time of your
appointment.
Volunteer Note-taker
Responsibilities
• Attend class regularly.
• Be punctual and remain until the class
period ends.
• Select a seat where you will be able to see
and remain alert.
• Take class notes following the strategies
listed in this tutorial.
• Distribute notes through email or by hard copy within 24
hours of each class. When emailing notes, make sure
notes are labeled with class name and date. When
multiple students are receiving notes, email each student
separately or use the blind copy field for all recipients to
ensure confidentiality. Ask for a reply to confirm receipt
of notes. Upon completion of your training, information
will be sent to the Memorial Union Copy Shop if you
chose to make copies of the class notes. You will need
to show your ID to the staff person on duty and tell them
you are a note-taker.
• Note-takers have occasionally been asked
by a professor or classmate to copy their
notes for a non-DS student. You are not
obligated to make copies for anyone other
than the DS student(s). If you choose to
copy your notes for anyone else, the
copying cannot be charged to the DS
account.
• You are responsible for identifying a
“back-up” note-taker when a class is
missed. If you are absent or late for class,
please contact your back-up note-taker to
obtain that day’s notes.
• If you are unable to continue taking notes
for any reason, please notify the
Accommodations Coordinator at DS
immediately.
• If problems arise with your notes or
timeliness of delivery, it may be necessary
to replace you with another note-taker.
Confidentiality
• It is important when working with students
with disabilities to keep all information
regarding that student and their disability
confidential. You should not disclose the
student’s name to anyone other than
Disability Services staff members.
• You will be expected to sign a
confidentiality statement.
Note-taking Strategies
• Label and number each page of notes with the
name of the course and date in the upper right
corner. After copies have been made, staple
each set of notes.
• Handwriting must be legible. Blue or black ink
must be used to photocopy clearly. Write on
only one side of the page.
• Wide margins “2” should be left so that notations
can be made.
• An outline format will make the notes more
readable and will help identify major points.
• Abbreviations should be noted with a key
for the student.
• Main ideas, keywords, definitions,
concepts, etc., should be noted and
underlined, circled or starred. Examples
used in class should be included.
• Announcements, assignments, information
regarding tests, etc., should be recorded
accurately.
• Notes should be taken on videos,
presentations, etc.
• Notes should include enough details to be
complete.
• If there is an omission in the notes, it is the
note-taker’s responsibility to provide that
information by talking to either the
instructor or a class member.
• If there is a question about the spelling of
the word, “(SP)” should be written above
the word.
Questions or concerns?
Please contact Beth Fiechtner at
Disability Services
170 Wallman Wellness Center
231-8463
Thank you!
We appreciate your willingness to volunteer
for Disability Services in order to help
provide access to students with
disabilities.
Have a great semester!
NDSU Disability Services
Volunteer Note-taker Training
Certificate of Completion
• By signing this statement I verify that I have
completed the Volunteer Note-taker training.
» Print name:
» Sign name:
» Date:
Please print (select current page), sign and return
this form to Disability Services
170 Wallman Wellness Center