As per the Americans with Disability Act and the Disability Discrimination Act, institutions of Higher Education are mandated to ensure reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. One such accommodation is audio recording of classroom lectures to supplement in-class attendance and allow for repetition of learned course material. When not approved as a disability accommodation, it is unlawful to record in class without consent of the professor.

Students who have been granted this accommodation have a signed copy of the policy, acknowledging the rights and responsibilities that go with this accommodation. Faculty may ask Disability Services Office for confirmation of this signature.

Recording Parameters

Students are cautioned that any course material produced by an instructor are the intellectual property of that instructor. The Copyrights Act protects original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work, including lectures by university instructors. Audio recording is permitted for individual private study only. Written approval must be obtained from the instructor for any other use, including but not limited to duplication, publication, sale or transfer of recording. Unapproved use of recordings constitutes academic misconduct.

Faculty reserves the right to disallow audio recording of some classroom discussions and presentations, particularly when personal information is shared. *


Method(s) of Recording/Notetaking

There are many different means of audio recording and due to individual disabilities, the preferred method will vary from student to student. Students should communicate with faculty to share the audio recording method of choice. Some students may also take independent notes and/or have an assigned notetaker in addition to this accommodation.


Disputes

In the event of a dispute over the ability to audio record a course, the student and/or faculty should contact Disability Services directly. Should the dispute remain unresolved, this may be directed to the Dean of Academic Services and/or Department Head.

* Faculty needs to consult with Disability Services if they need to disallow a student from audio recording, to ensure that the student is not being discriminated against on the basis of their disability.