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Policy and Procedures For Note-Takers & Interpreters

Note Takers

Note taking services involve advanced planning and financial expenditures. Students receiving this service will adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Students should submit a written request for a note taker at least one month prior to the beginning of the semester. Delay in requesting note taking services may result in a note taker not being available at the beginning of the semester. The request must include course name, course number and section number. Any change in this schedule, either to add or delete services, must be requested in writing to SSD.
  • If a student is unable to attend class, a 24-hour notice to SSD is required unless the absence is due to illness or an emergency.
  • The student will immediately notify SSD in writing if a note taker is unsatisfactory (i.e. unsatisfactory readability of notes, tardiness, absenteeism, unprofessional behavior, etc.)

No-Show Policy

If a note taker has been requested and approved, and the student knows that he/she will be unable to attend class, the student should provide SSD with at least 24 hours advanced notice so that the note taker can be informed. In some situations, students may not be able to provide 24 hours notice: however, any advanced notice is appreciated. A note taker will not provide notes on the day the student is absent unless cleared through SSD.

Failure to provide any advanced notice is considered a “No-Show.” To give advance notice a student may:

  • Call the office at (318) 473-6545 and leave a message, or
  • Contact the Services for Students with Disabilities located in the Student Center, above the Bookstore in Room 206.

Student Tips For Using a Note Taker:

  • On the first day of class, or any new situation, the student should come by the Services for Students with Disabilities before class so that the note taker can meet the student and accompany him/her to class.
  • If a student has difficulty reading the notes provided by the note taker, discuss it initially with them. If this does not work, report the problem to the Services for Students with Disabilities.
  • Students should notify the Services for Students with Disabilities if:
    • He/she is planning to be absent or miss a class.
    • His/her class is canceled.
    • There will be a video or film shown in class.
    • He/she will be making a presentation in class.
    • He/she has a problem with the note taker or the instructor.
  • If a student does not show-up for class, the note taker will leave the class 10 minutes after the class starts.

Guidelines For Note Takers:

  • Note takers must have legible handwriting.
  • Note takers must be able to take adequate notes from a college level lecture.
  • If a student has difficulty reading the notes provided by the note taker, the student will discuss it initially with the note taker. If this does not work, the problem will be reported to the Services for Students with Disabilities for resolution.
  • Note takers should give notes to the student at the end of each class period.
  • Note takers should notify SSD if they are going to miss class, or if their enrollment status changes.

No-Show Policy

Once a note taker has been requested, hired, and approved to work, and the student or note taker knows that he/she will be unable to attend class, the student/note taker should provide SSD with at least 24 hours advanced notice so that the note taker can be informed.

In some situations, 24 hours notice may not always be possible: however, any advanced notice is appreciated. Advanced notice is necessary so that arrangements can be made for someone to cover the class. Failure to provide any advanced notice is considered a “No-Show.” To give advance notice a student or note taker may:

  • Call the office at (318) 473-6545 and leave a message, or
  • Contact the Services for Students with Disabilities located in the Student Center, above the Bookstore in Room W206.

Interpreters

Interpreting services involve a large financial expenditure. Students receiving this service will adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Students with hearing impairments should submit a written request for an Interpreter on an Accommodation Request Form at least one month before the beginning of the semester when services are needed. Delay in requesting an interpreter may result in one not being available at the beginning of the semester. This request must include course name, course number and section number. Any change in this schedule, to either add or delete services, must be requested in writing to the SSD.
  • If a student is unable to attend class, a 24-hour notice to SSD is required unless the absence is due to illness or an emergency.
  • The student will immediately notify SSD in writing if an interpreter is unsatisfactory (i.e., unsatisfactory ability to sign or caption, tardiness, absenteeism, unprofessional behavior, etc.).
  • If a student needs to request an Interpreter for other University programs (other than normal class times), a Special Request Form must be filled out and returned to SSD at least 24 hours in advance.

No-Show Policy

If the Interpreter services have been requested, and the student or interpreter knows that he/she will be unable to attend class, the student or interpreter should provide SSD with at least 24 hours advanced notice so that Interpreter(s) and students can be informed. In some situations, 24 hours notice may not be possible: however, any advanced notice is appreciated.

Failure to provide any advanced notice is considered a “No-Show.” To give advance notice a student or interpreter may:

  • Call the office at (318) 473-6545 and leave a message, or
  • Contact the Services for Students with Disabilities located in the Student Center, above the Bookstore in Room 206.
  • Call the Interpreter by phone or e-mail and speak to the person or leave a message.

Student Tips For Using an Interpreter

  • On the first day of class, or any new situation, the student should come by the Services for Students with Disabilities before class so that the interpreter can meet the student and accompany him/her to class.
  • Let the interpreter know what method of communication is preferred at the beginning of the semester to avoid misunderstandings.
  • Sit in a location that provides the best distance, lighting, background and angle for seeing the interpreter.
  • If a student has a question during class time, the student should raise his/her hand and ask the instructor. The student should not try to talk to the interpreter. The interpreter cannot listen to the instructor, interpret and understand what the student is saying at the same time. Students should not sign/cue anything they do not want made known to the entire class.
  • Personal conversations with the interpreter should not occur during class time.
  • If a student has difficulty understanding the interpreter, discuss it initially with them. If this does not work, report the problem to the Services for Students with Disabilities.
  • Students should notify the Services for Students with Disabilities if:
    • He/she is planning to be absent or miss a class.
    • His/her class is canceled.
    • There will be a video or film shown in class.
    • He/she will be making a presentation in class.
    • He/she has a problem with the interpreter or the instructor.
  • If a student does not show-up for class, the interpreter will leave the class 10 minutes after the class starts.