Accommodation Information

The University of North Georgia's Student Accessibility Services (SAS) assists qualified students with disabilities in obtaining class notes.

Requesting a Class Notetaker

The student must pick up their accommodation notifications prior to requesting a note taker. Assistance obtaining class notes must be one of your accommodations to be eligible. All note taker requests are kept confidential for all students. 

• Download SAS Note Taking System Instructions (PDF)
• Log In to Submit a Note Taker Request

Captioning

Real-time captioning technologies include live captioning for television, telecommunications relay services and transcription services such as CART and C-Print.

Speech-to-text provides access for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and for many other groups. Captioning professionals must meet speed and accuracy standards.

There are two types of real-time captioning presently used at UNG; CART and C-Print.

• CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) Services
  • CART is word-for-word speech-to-text translation provided on scene in just about any venue. It can be delivered on location or remotely. The text produced by the CART service can be displayed on an individual's computer monitor, projected onto a screen, combined with a video presentation to appear as captions, or otherwise made available using other transmission and display systems. 

• C-Print: C-Print is meaning-for-meaning (as opposed to verbatim) speech-to-text translation that is primarily used in educational settings. C-Print was developed at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) to convert spoken messages into text. A C-Print captionist is specially trained in text-condensing strategies and types on a laptop computer using an abbreviation system. The text is displayed without abbreviations on one or more student computer (laptop) monitors. Captionist must abide by a strict code of professional conduct and follow captioning standard practices.
• C-Print captionist provide communication in real-time, and also provide a transcript of the class within 24 hours. Transcripts are for the student with the C-Print captioning accommodation, and are not available to other students or to the professor.
• The decision to schedule personal C-Print captioning versus remote captioning (the captionist is listening and typing from a remote location) is determined by several factors.
  • The amount of notice given by the student when there is a course addition or change
  • The student's prior experience with remote captioning
  • The student's need to have a person present to voice questions for him or her
  • The captionist's schedule and availability
  • Any student who does not receive an accommodation for which he or she is eligible is strongly encouraged to inform the appropriate faculty or staff person promptly, and to let Student Accessibility Services staff person know as soon as possible if it is not resolved.

If you have questions regarding C-Print captioning in the classroom or you require more information regarding CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) services, contact the Student Accessibility Services office.

• Download the C-Print Professional Code of Conduct (PDF)

Interpreter 

Sign language interpreters are qualified professionals that facilitate communication between hearing individuals and deaf or hard-of-hearing students. All sign language interpreters adhere to a strict code of conduct. 

• Student Accessibility Services will provide sign language interpreting for classes, meetings, or other University of North Georgia sponsored programs or events for students who are deaf or hard of hearing and provide appropriate supporting documentation. It is the responsibility of the student to inform Student Accessibility Services within 24 hours of the scheduled event if an interpreter is required, or if an interpreter should be canceled.
• Sign language interpreters attend class with the student, but do not participate.
• Student input on the most effective interpreters for certain classes is always considered.
• Interpreting services are available to the student, with prior notice, for the classroom, and for other activities, such as; tutoring, clubs, and seminars that are sponsored by the university.
• Sign Language interpreters are expected to follow the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct, as well as to comply with all Student Accessibility Services standards and university policies.
• Submit a Sign Language Interpreter request (login required)

Alternative media is currently provided by Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC). Alternative media orders are placed with the Student Accessibility Services specialist. Contact Student Accessibility Services specialists for assistance with text book orders.

Examples of Alternative Media:

• Books in digital format
• Books on audio CD
• Large print formatted text
• Braille

Assistive technology includes a variety of software and equipment. Free training on software, as well as information of free software that can be accessed by students from home, is provided by the Student Accessibility Services specialist.

Download the Equipment Guidelines for Students (PDF).

Examples of Assistive Technology:

• Smart Pen
• Claro View and Screen Reader
• Dragon Naturally Speaking
• PDF Equalizer
• FM System

Order an e-Text through the University Bookstore.

Testing services are provided to students that require extended testing time, a quiet environment or the use of assistive technology. Testing accommodation processes may be different on each campus. To submit a test request or for detailed instructions on scheduling your tests, complete the online Request to Schedule a Testing Time form.

Accommodated testing is available for the following tests:

• Institutional ACT
• Placement (COMPASS)
• CLEP
• Legislative Exams
• eCore
• Other major related tests not listed

For detailed information about these tests, requirements, etc., refer to the specific tests at UNG Testing Center or Undergraduate Admissions.

Word Bank and Formula Sheets

Some students have documentation of a medical condition or learning disability that results in a significant memory deficit. These students generally have great difficulty retrieving information from memory even though they have carefully studied and understood the material. A Word Bank is intended to provide students with such memory deficits with an equal opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of course material.  A Word Bank will not be suggested for a student unless we have disability-related documentation that strongly supports the need.

Memory aids, including Word Banks or Formula Sheets, must be approved by the professor/instructor before use.

The student or the professor can create the Word Bank (letter-sized 8.5" x 11" page). If the student creates the page then they will connect with the professor to have it approved. This should be completed by the agreed upon date, the suggested time is 7 days prior to the exam.

The Word Bank should be submitted as an attachment to the examination for the Testing Center.

After the student completes the exam, the Testing Center staff will return the examination and the Word Bank to the instructor.

Formula Sheet

Students with documented disabilities characterized by significant deficits in rote memory, sequencing memory for formulae, working memory and/or long-term memory. 

A formula sheet is intended to prompt a response to a question that the student has studied but may have difficulty recalling due to sequencing deficits. 

• It is not intended to provide the student with the answer.
• It should not contain a synopsis of course material, but rather formulas that would enable the student to solve the problem.
• If the student does not know the course material, the formula sheet will not be beneficial.

Many formulas can be provided on the formula sheet and it is not just limited to the formulas that are on the examination.

If an instructor approves a formula sheet for an exam, the instructor must attach it with the exam or send it to the Testing Center. 

The formula sheet will be returned with the completed test or exam.

Priority registration is offered to all students that qualify for accommodations. Priority registration allows student's to select courses that meet their individual needs, and allows for arrangement of accommodations in advance. Students who are eligible for priority (early) registration are encouraged to use this accommodation by meeting deadlines for advising and arranging a schedule. Course prerequisites and registration holds are the responsibility of the student. Student Accessibility Services does not have the authority to override students into restricted classes.

Provisional support services and/or accommodations are provided to allow necessary time for the procurement of supporting documentation, or to substantiate the need for accommodations. If the supporting documentation based on the criteria established by the Georgia Board of Regents is not provided before a certain date (usually one month) the provisional accommodations will be discontinued. If the new documentation submitted does not meet the BOR criteria, the provisional support services will be suspended immediately.

Some disabilities require consideration of flexibility in attendance requirements with regard to excused absences, these are known as disability related absences. An excused absence is an administratively approved absence from class or required activities of a program, without penalty.

A student is required by the University System of Georgia to meet the essential requirements of his or her respective program. Any request for course accommodations and substitutions will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Students requiring accommodations with online courses or eCore should contact the Student Accessibility Services office.

• Study Abroad
• Internship and Practicum
• Accommodations and Student Behavior
• Accommodation Limitations

What is Note-taking?

Note-taking is the process of providing a copy of class notes for another student, who has the accommodation of assistance obtaining class notes. 

Benefits of Becoming a Note-Taker:

Students interested in becoming a note-taker will receive the following:

Compensation

• Students interested in becoming a note-taker must register through notetaker@ung.edu and follow all instructions that are provided by Student Accessibility Services and UNG Human Resources.
• Note-takers will be asked to apply for these positions as a student worker.
• All student note-takers will be compensated through the Human Resources office on a bi-weekly basis.
• In order to receive the maximum amount, you must provide all notes from the beginning of the semester.
• All student note-takers will be required to complete the note-taker training module and quiz.
• Failure to complete all of the registration steps and Human Resource requirements may result in a delay or loss of payment.
• Note-takers will not receive their first payment until the completion of the on-line training, quiz and Human Resource on-boarding process.

Priority Registration

• Priority Registration may be given to any note-taker for the following semester provided they complete their service agreement. Student Accessibility Services will not pro-rate priority registration.

Download the "How to Upload Notes" Instructions (PDF)

The University of North Georgia recognizes that, similar to individuals with permanent disabilities, individuals with temporary injuries, recovering from surgery, or with short-term medical conditions may need accommodations to access classrooms, course resources, and/or campus facilities. Temporary disabilities  may include, but are  not limited  to:

• Broken limbs
• Hand injuries,
• Concussion
• Short-term impairment while recovering from surgery or medical treatments.

Missing a few classes or deadlines because of acute illness, such as the flu does not require formal accommodation and you should be able to work directly with your instructors to get back on track. We are, however, here to consult or support you in your academic recovery.

Since temporary conditions can occur at any point during the semester, the timing can significantly impact the accommodation options available to the student.

Timely and open communication with UNG, faculty and other campus offices, as needed, about the nature and duration of the condition and requested assistance can often result in satisfactory solutions to the short-term issues caused by injury or condition.

Students are encouraged to contact the Student Accessibility Services office to determine accommodation options.

Accommodations cannot be retro-active.

Check in directly with your instructors to assess what material and assignments you have missed and what flexibility they are able to afford you regarding deadline changes and make-up work.

If you have missed a substantial amount of class time in a given semester and will not be able to successfully complete the term you may need to apply for a hardship withdrawal.

• Text to speech software
• Speech to text software
• Assistive listening devices
• Digital recorders (see guidelines below)
• Smart Pens
• Text Enlargers
• Word prediction software

All technology and alternative media complies with institutional policies and procedures and with relevant codes and laws. Student violations of technology policies must follow established institutional student disciplinary procedures.

Audio Recording Guidelines

• Students may use the recordings for personal academic use during the course specified on their accommodation letters.
• Students understand that some faculty have copyright interest in their class lectures and the student agrees not to infringe on this right.
• Students will not release, digitally upload, broadcast, transcribe, or otherwise share recordings. They agree that they will not profit financially and will not allow others to benefit personally or financially from lecture recordings.
• Students agree to erase the recordings at the end of the semester.
• Students understand that any violation of these terms may subject them to discipline under the Student Code of Conduct or subject them to liability under copyright laws.