Notetaking Accommodations

DSS works with DSS-registered and accommodated students to provide notetaking accommodations, based on a review of student disability symptoms/impact and needs. Students must first be registered with the office of Disability Support Services and approved for notetaking accommodations before arrangements can be made for notetaking accommodations.

Notetaking Accommodation Options: 

 

Messenger Pigeon (formerly Note Taking Express)
Messenger Pigeon is a service that provides transcripts and summary notes from lecture recordings. The student can record from the tool’s web application or software download or they can upload a recording to the platform. From there, the student can view these transcripts or request summary notes from a professional notetaker. Typed summary notes will be returned within 48 hours. Students can also upload PowerPoint slides, syllabi, and other course materials that may help the note-taker with context, vocabulary, or references when requesting summary notes. Arrangements for this service are made through DSS.

Messenger Pigeon Homepage: https://messengerpigeon.habitatlearn.com/

  •  Students who have questions or concerns about use of Messenger Pigeon should contact DSS immediately for technical assistance or to explore other options available.

 

Notes from a Classmate

A peer student notetaker can be requested to take notes for your class in some cases, such as for classes that require handwritten/drawn material, computation, etc.  Student notetakers will send completed class notes to DSS, and DSS will transmit to the accommodated student with 36 hours of the class session. Student notetakers are enrolled in the class; the identity of students receiving notes is confidential.

  • Please note DSS cannot guarantee a student notetaker, nor can DSS guarantee the quality or consistency of the student notetaker’s notes.
  • If you are interested in this notetaking accommodation, please contact DSS at the beginning of the semester or as soon as possible after registering for accommodations.

 

Professor Handouts/Slides

Some professors create and provide notes for their class sessions, which can eliminate the need for additional notetaking processes in certain cases. Professor notes can take the form of PowerPoint slides, PDF documents, Moodle posts, or other formats. Please discuss your request for this accommodation with DSS; if assigned as an accommodation, DSS will work with students and professors to determine a plan for note/content sharing.