SERVICES for Students with Disabilities

Academic Support Center Services for Students with Disabilities 1717 S. Chestnut Ave. Fresno, CA 93702-4709 559-453-2247 wwwfresno.edu/disability-services

Audio-Recording Class Agreement

Audio-recording class lectures is sometimes an accommodation recommended for certain students with verified disabilities who often benefit from having audio recordings of class lectures to supplement their own or a note-taker’s written notes.

Frequently Asked Questions: Are students with disabilities allowed to audio-record classes? Yes, if the student has a verified disability and it is determined that this is a necessary accommodation to address that student’s specific educational limitation, the student may record classes. Federal and state mandates require that accommodations written for students with verified disabilities be followed (Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Code of Federal Regulations). Such a recording is an accommodation for note-taking and should not be considered an excuse to miss class nor is the recording to be used for any other purpose. If an instructor feels strongly that an audio recording is unacceptable, an alternative accommodation must be found.

Who is responsible for the equipment and recording? The student is responsible for providing the recording device (including batteries, microphone, and tape if required) as well as for operating the recorder. Placement of the device near the instructor or use of a microphone may be advisable. If an instructor so desires, he/she may borrow equipment from the Academic Support Center and request that audio files be downloaded only on ASC computers. Files will be deleted at the end of the course.

What if the discussion in class is of a confidential nature? Some classes involve discussion of confidential material which is not appropriate to be audio-recorded. In these cases, the instructor may turn off the recorder for the portion of the discussion that is confidential; however, material covered while the recorder is off cannot be put on a test. The other students in the course should be notified that a student (unidentified) is recording the class for the purposes of supplementing notes and what measures will be taken to ensure confidentiality.

What about intellectual property concerns over material presented in class? Students must sign an agreement in order to use the audio-recording class accommodation in which they agree not to copy or release any material made in class and that the recording is for their personal educational needs only. No other use may be made of class recordings. The instructor can request that the student deliver the files/tapes to the instructor for erasure at the end of the semester.

Student Agreement for Audio-recording Classes

I, ______(student’s name), agree that I will not copy or release any recording or transcription or otherwise hinder the ability of my professors to obtain a copyright of class material I have recorded. Furthermore, recorded class material is to be used solely for my educational needs.

______Student Signature Date

I, ______(instructor’s name), certify that I have been informed of the above student’s intention to record class material and to abide by this agreement.

______Instructor Signature Date

______Semester Course

After the student and instructor have signed this document, the student must return a copy to the Academic Support Center to be kept on file. If no copy of the agreement is on file for each class, the student’s right to record class lecture as an accommodation is null and void. For office use only: