Faculty Information: Audio Recording Accommodations

Faculty Information: Audio Recording Accommodations

Some students registered with the Educational Assistance Center (EAC) are authorized to use audio recording as an accommodation. The accommodation supports access to spoken course content and may also provide note-taking support when traditional shared notes are not available.

What the accommodation may include

• Recording class audio.
• Transcribing the recorded audio.
• Using an EAC-approved tool to generate summaries or structured notes from the recording.

The instructor notification identifies when audio recording has been authorized for a particular student and class. The accommodation is not a request for instructor permission.

Why a student agreement is used

Federal disability guidance recognizes audio recording as a possible auxiliary aid and explains that a college may require a student agreement to protect copyright and classroom speech interests. EAC uses the signed acknowledgment to establish clear limits on use, sharing, confidentiality, and disposal while preserving the student’s access to authorized course content.

Additional federal guidance: U.S. Department of Education, Auxiliary Aids and Services for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities

Student responsibilities

Before the notification is issued, the student signs an acknowledgment agreeing to the conditions governing the accommodation. The signed acknowledgment is maintained by EAC. The student agrees to:

• Use the recordings and any resulting transcripts, summaries, or structured notes only for the student's own access to and study of course content.
• Use only tools or services approved by EAC.
• Protect the material from unauthorized access and refrain from copying, sharing, distributing, publishing, posting, or selling it.
• Pause recording during a limited discussion involving personal student self-disclosure when the instructor identifies that the information would not ordinarily be appropriate for students to document in notes.
• Delete the recordings and resulting transcripts, summaries, or structured notes at the conclusion of the course.
• Follow applicable college policies, including the Student Code of Conduct.

Classes involving student self-disclosure

Some classes include discussions in which students share personal or sensitive information. Audio recording should generally remain available when the discussion presents course content that students would ordinarily be expected or permitted to capture in notes.

When recording may be paused

During a limited discussion involving personal student self-disclosure, an instructor may ask the student to pause recording when the information would not ordinarily be appropriate for students to document in notes. The request should be limited to that portion of the class. If pausing the recording may prevent the student from accessing course content, please contact EAC so an appropriate solution can be discussed.

Questions or concerns

Please contact the EAC Coordinator or an EAC counselor if you have questions about implementing the accommodation, the use of an approved recording tool, or recording during a particular classroom activity. EAC can work with the instructor and student to address the concern while maintaining access to the course.