Recording Lectures
Audio-recording class lectures is sometimes an accommodation for students with memory impairments, visual impairments, attention deficits or distractibility, learning disability, impaired auditory processing, or limited manual dexterity. The audio recording is a supplement to the student's own or a note taker's written notes. Legally, a professor may not forbid recording if it has been approved as an accommodation for the student's disability to provide meaningful access to the educational experience. The recording of lectures is one of the accommodations specifically mentioned in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Please refer to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, C.F.R. Part 104 for more information.
Students: Getting Started
The first step is to determine if you qualify. Your Student Accessibility Services (SAS) counselor can help you evaluate your needs. An Academic Accommodation Plan is completed listing the appropriate accommodations for your specific disability, to include recording lectures if appropriate. The next step is to meet with the Access Specialist to determine if technology solutions are appropriate. If needed, SAS has audio recorders for students to check out. Once this accommodation is authorized by a SAS counselor, it will be available on the student’s Accommodation Form which is provided to them each semester upon their request.
Important Guidelines and Policies for Students
Students cannot release, share or duplicate recordings or transcriptions without authorization from their instructor. The recorded information will be used solely for a student’s individual educational needs. Students cannot use recorded materials in any way which would interfere with the legal right of privacy for their classmates and/or the instructor, and the instructor’s efforts to obtain copyright. The recording accommodation for the class will cease immediately if a student fails to comply with the conditions listed above and a student may be subject to disciplinary action by the college dependent upon the offense.
Student Responsibility
Students are responsible for contacting SAS to schedule a meeting with a SAS counselor or the SAS Faculty Coordinator if they have questions or concerns related to the conditions above, or if they have questions regarding how to use this accommodation. Students must provide their accommodation form to their instructor if they are seeking to record lectures as an accommodation.
Instructor Responsibility
Instructors are responsible for contacting SAS to schedule a meeting with a SAS counselor or the SAS Faculty Coordinator to discuss any questions or concerns related to this accommodation.
General FAQs from Students and Instructors
Are students with disabilities allowed to record classes?
Yes, if the student has a verified disability and a SAS counselor has determined that recording is a necessary academic accommodation to address their specific educational limitation(s). If the instructor records class meetings and shares the recording with class, then this accommodation may not be necessary.
Does the student need to ask the instructor for permission?
Although recording is a legally allowed academic accommodation, the student should advise the instructor of their intent to utilize this accommodation by providing their accommodation form to the instructor. An individual agreement form can be used to address specific concerns instructors may have regarding privacy and copyright.
Who provides the equipment?
The student is responsible to provide a recorder. Unless prohibited by the instructor, students may utilize their personal cell phone or laptop if it records audio similar to a physical audio recorder. There are some recorders owned by SAS that students can check out if they don’t have their own. Students borrowing recorders owned by SAS must sign the Equipment Loan Agreement.
What if the discussion in class is of a confidential nature?
In cases where sensitive personal information is shared, the instructor can request that the recorder be turned off for the portion of the discussion that is confidential. However, sensitive material covered while the recorder is off should not be included on a quiz/exam. Students and/or instructors who have questions about guidance related to confidentiality should contact SAS to discuss this further.
What about “intellectual property” concerns over material presented in class?
Students may be asked to sign a recording agreement in which they agree not to copy or release any material from a recording made in class, and that the recording is only for their individual educational needs.
