Nearly 100 students with disabilities are going without lecture notes, because the college cannot meet the high demand for note takers.

“We have always struggled with finding note takers,” said Stacey Shears, manager of the disabled student services program. “I think the problem is that students don’t understand the benefits of becoming a note taker.”

DSS pays student note takers $100 per class per semester for their notes, and even provides coaching to improve their note taking ability.

“We teach them how to take better notes,” said Lisa Martin, the note taking coordinator. “Ultimately, we have a win-win situation.”

Each student who signs on as a note taker also gets a DVD of a note-taking seminar by Bill Oye, dean of student life.

More than 350 students with a wide range of disabilities are currently getting lecture notes through the program.

Student Andrew Bowles, who has ADHD, said he uses the note-taking service for classes where he absolutely need the notes, such as chemistry, statistics and math. “It’s good to have someone else’s notes for comparison in case I miss something,” Bowles said.

Until more students sign up to join the program, many disabled students are being encouraged to approach their classmates to ask for help directly.

“I always tell my students not to let their disabilities disable them,” Martin said. “Some students feel awkward about admitting their disability to their classmates by asking for notes.

“I always say that if you feel afraid and different, you’re giving your classmates permission to treat you differently.”

Students interested in getting paid for their notes should contact Lisa Martin in the DSS department at (925) 685-1230 ext. 2607.