Read below about commonly requested accommodations including Testing Accommodations, Classroom Accommodations, Breaks in the Classroom, and Notetaking Services.

Testing Accommodations

  • Alternative Testing location
  • Extra Time for Exams/Quizzes
  • Reduced distraction environment
  • Testing accommodations (extended time on tests, alternative testing location)
  • Interpreting services

Registered ALC students needing alternative testing accommodations should follow the following steps to schedule a test/quiz in the testing center. Watch this how-to video.

Scheduling an Exam:

  1. Login to the secure service portal, AIM. Use your full NCF email address and NCF password to log-in. You will be automatically directed to “My Dashboard”.
  2. Scroll down to “Alternative Testing” in the My Accommodations section. 
  3. Select the class you are scheduling an exam for and fill out the required details to request an appointment
    • Exams should be taken at the date and time that corresponds with your course. Alternative date and times must be approved by the instructor and indicated in writing and submitted to the ALC. Flexibility should be discussed with instructors for the following reasons: evening classes, back-to-back course schedule, or availability of technology/staff assistance.
  4. Schedule an appointment with the ALC more than 5 business days before the exam and remember to account for extended time when making the appointment.
  5. On the day of your test be sure to bring with you the following: your student ID and any instructor approved materials (ex. calculator, formula sheet, notes, textbook, etc.)

Other important alternative testing information:

  • Failure to schedule a testing appointment may result in having to take the exam in the classroom without accommodations.
  • For online testing, instructors will receive a Faculty Notification Letter from the ALC indicating extended time and other approved accommodations. Students are encouraged to communicate with each instructor to discuss and confirm that time will be extended within CANVAS and/or all third-party software. Contact your professor and copy the ALC immediately if time has not been extended.
  • Contact the ALC if you encounter any difficulties with exam scheduling. The ALC will make reasonable efforts to provide testing accommodations on the exam date.

Note Taking Accommodations

The note taking accommodation provides ALC students with accessible course notes through either the use of note taking software for example our free GLEAN subscription or a peer note-taking system. The ALC Office facilitates the pairing of registered ALC students with a qualified note taker in their course if available.

If you have been approved by an ALC staff member to receive note taking services this would have been identified during your intake session, and also on your accommodation eligibility letter which was emailed to you.

Note taking services are for in person lecture based courses. Students should first attend class, access resources provided by their instructor (notes, PowerPoints, etc) and determine if the accommodation is still needed.

Option 1: Note Taking Software

Our more convenient and widely used note taking service comes in the form of note taking software which is provided to eligible ALC students during the intake session. A note taking software eligibility allows students to use a mobile device in the classroom to record lectures for academic purposes. The software used can capture audio, and also translate the audio in text serving both purposes. Contact the ALC office for a demonstration or more information regarding the different types of software available.

Option 2: Livescribe Pen

The Livescribe smartpen is an assistive technology aid that facilitates the note-taking and learning process. Recording classroom discussions and taking fewer notes allows a student to spend more time listening and learning. How a Livescribe Symphony Pen works.

Option 3: Peer Note Taker

This option of note taking service is available only if a peer in the class in which you are requesting this service has agreed to provide their notes. If needed for the course ALC staff will work with faculty to identify a peer note taker. A peer note taker can be a voluntary or paid position. If a peer note taker seeks compensation they must first be approved by the ALC office.

All students, whether registered with the ALC or not, wanting to register as a student note taker should follow the steps below to indicate interest as a potential note taker.

If you do not already have an account in AIM
  1. Sign into myNCF App Gateway with your student email and password.
  2. Complete the Note Taker Registration form
  3. Once you have completed the first step, you will be directed to a form where you will input your name, and date of birth.
  4. Follow steps 1-3 in this document.
If you do already have an account with AIM
  1. Log in to your NCF MyApp Gateway
  2. Click on the AIM tile
  3. Access the “Note taker” tab on the top left menu bar.
  4. Register for the course/s by entering the CRN or searching for the courses manually.
  5. Once entered, click “Continue to Verify Your Courses”.
  6. ALC staff will reach out to you if one of the classes you have registered requires a note taker. If selected as a note taker, ALC staff will contact you for next steps.

Not all courses or students may have the same need in regards to note taking services. The ALC office will reach out to you for clarification on the format of your course to determine if notes are already provided to students. If it is determined that a note taker is needed, the ALC office may reach out to you for a recommendation of a student who you feel would be able to fulfill the requirements of this service for ALC students in your classroom.

It is important to know that all peer note takers must first register with the ALC Office. They are responsible for successfully completing a note taker training session, and registration in order to be identified as a note taker. A student who fails to register or complete the note taker training with the ALC Office will not receive compensation regardless of services provided. Please understand this process is not intended to be a barrier for faculty or note takers but proper registration, training, and verification of services rendered are required by the ALC Office and Human Resources Department for payroll processing.

If requested by the ALC Office there are several options for facilitating accessible note taking in your course:

Make an announcement in class that a Note Taker is needed, without identifying the student(s) needing the service. Please be sure to select only ONE student to serve as a note taker in your course. You should inform the student if they are selected and refer them to the Note Taker Registration form or the ALC Office for more information. Please see the script below as an example of what your class announcement can look like.

“The Accessible Learning Center is seeking a student that will provide copies of their notes for this class. In return, the student may be eligible for volunteer hours or this could be a paid position. If approved, you must take good notes that are easy to read and you should attend class regularly. If you are interested, please contact me as soon as possible.”

Once a student has been identified as a peer note taker please refer them to the ALC office. A peer note taker can be a voluntary or paid position. If a peer note taker seeks compensation they must first be approved by the ALC office.