Note-taking is one of the most common accommodations provided to deaf students; in fact, data from disability service professionals show that 78.5% of deaf students receive note-taking services. Accommodation practices vary widely across college campuses. As technology becomes more sophisticated – at NDC, providers often reach out looking for effective ways to strengthen support for deaf students. We’re here as a collaborative partner, offering practical tools, guidance, and training to help make notetaking more accessible and effective for everyone.
While there is no template for every situation, effective services start with solid fundamentals – understanding how notetaking services benefit deaf students, setting up clear systems, and training notetakers. When notetaking systems are thoughtfully designed, they support engagement and learning. Partnerships among disability services offices, faculty, and peer notetakers are necessary to ensure that notetaking is consistent, reliable, and student-driven.
To support this goal, the National Deaf Center has released two new self-paced online modules that strengthen notetaking practices across campus, empowering professionals to design effective systems and equipping deaf students with strategies to use notetaking as a tool for full engagement and success.
For DSS Professionals: Notetaking as an Accommodation
For Peer Notetakers: Peer Notetaker Training: Effective Services for Deaf Students
Colleges that participated in the Supporting Deaf College Students survey reported that “only 37.8% of institutions provide training for their note-takers.” Consider how this impacts the quality and effectiveness of access for deaf students.
Your notes = someone’s access and learning.
This quick, engaging training helps student notetakers understand the importance of their role in supporting access for deaf classmates. As peer notetakers, learners will explore taking notes not just for themselves but also how to take reliable notes for others. They also learn how to communicate with deaf peers, establish a professional rapport, and maintain boundaries as notetakers.
Disability Services staff can incorporate this module directly with student notetakers as part of their training or onboarding, making it easier to build consistency and confidence across campus.
Strengthening Access, One Note at a Time
When campuses approach notetaking as an intentional part of access, rather than a last-minute fix, the impact is powerful. High-quality notes make it possible for deaf students to stay engaged, retain key details, and keep pace in every type of classroom.
Explore more tools, examples, and best practices on our Note Taking Accommodations page.
The National Deaf Center’s online learning opportunities help create stronger systems, better support, and a shared understanding of what true access looks like.
Because when notetaking works for everyone — learning does too.
