The Office of Disability Access & Resources reviews requests for accommodations on an individualized, case-by-case basis. Depending on the nature and functional limitations of a student’s documented disability, the student may be eligible for note-taking assistance.
DAAR has added more licenses for Jamworks, a powerful note-taking and transcription tool. With Jamworks, you can record lectures, meetings, and conversations, and get real-time transcription to help you review and organize your notes.
To learn more about how Jamworks works, you can watch this short video and visit the Jamworks website.
Jamworks is an AI-powered note-taking and learning platform designed to help students capture, organize, and better understand lecture content. It combines live transcription, AI-generated notes, summaries, highlights, and personalized study tools to turn lectures into accessible learning materials.
Key features include:
- Enhanced Notes: Uses lecture transcripts to improve, organize, and expand student notes while helping students develop stronger note-taking skills.
- Key Points & AI Summaries: Automatically identifies important information and creates organized lecture notes and summaries.
- JamAI Personal Tutor: Provides personalized, 24/7 support using the student’s lecture recordings and transcripts to answer questions and explain course material.
- STEM Support: Properly displays complex mathematical formulas and equations across STEM subjects.
- AI Study Tools: Includes interactive flashcards, quizzes, definitions, and creative learning modes to support different study strategies.
- JamSlides: Allows students to upload presentation slides and take notes directly alongside specific slides.
- Live Captions & Transcription: Converts lectures into text in real time with AI-powered transcription.
- Multilingual Support: Supports transcription and AI-generated learning materials in 40+ languages.
- Accessibility Features: Includes screen reader and VoiceOver compatibility, 300% zoom, Focus Reading, 50+ customization options, and WCAG 2.2 AA alignment.
- Mobile Access: Students can access features such as live captions, enhanced notes, highlights, flashcards, and the JamAI Tutor through the mobile app.
Any questions, please ask: DAAR Notetaking Staff, SDSnotetaking@umbc.edu
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Many AT note-taking assistance tools involve recording audio, such as during a lecture or class discussion. When considering which AT or other note-taking assistance accommodation is right for you, it is important to seek and obtain permission to record from the instructor. The instructor may have concerns about recording, such as ensuring the privacy of other students and control over their intellectual and instructional labor and materials. Thus, it is important to make space for this conversation so that all needs are met. In some cases, an instructor may request a legal recording agreement. This and other forms may be found on the Forms page. DAAR supports students with approved DAAR accommodations for recording and can facilitate this conversation.
Individuals eligible for permission to record lectures are responsible for bringing the needed recording equipment or software to class sessions. DAAR provides a range of recording AT, outlined below, as well as traditional digital audio recorders for loan, if needed.
Note-taking assistance accommodations may include (but is not all-inclusive):
Assistive technology (AT)
AT can empower students to participate actively in class sessions while also recording notes to increase retention and for later reflection. DAAR offers or suggests a number of AT tools, which students may experiment with to find what works best for them. These tools are growing in popularity and are used by a range of learners and educators at all levels. In addition to providing several of these tools to students with note-taking assistance accommodation at no cost to students, DAAR also provides technical support when needed.
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Jamworks is an AI-powered note-taking and learning platform designed to help students capture, organize, and better understand lecture content. It combines live transcription, AI-generated notes, summaries, highlights, and personalized study tools to turn lectures into accessible learning materials. Students may request a free trial at https://www.jamworks.com/pricing. If you are approved for Notetaking Assistance and would like to use Jamworks, please email SDSnotetaking@umbc.edu so we can provide you with one of our licenses.
- Free or low-cost note-taking apps for your personal electronic device may make taking notes easier, more fun, and more useful. Most general note-taking apps are not provided or managed by DAAR, but some are provided at no cost to students by UMBC. To learn more, click here for list of popular note-taking support apps curated by DAAR.
Use of personal laptop
Individuals eligible for use of a laptop computer for note-taking are responsible for bringing a laptop to each class meeting. Students approved for the note-taking assistance accommodation are only permitted to use appropriate note-taking programs/software during class. Students found to be misusing this accommodation (i.e., using the internet when not permitted, surfing the web in class, etc.) may have this accommodation revoked and an alternate provision implemented. DAAR does not provide laptops, however laptops are available to borrow from AOK Library for limited periods of time.
Receiving outlines or notes from professor
Individuals who request and are eligible for access to materials prior to class are responsible for discussing what form of notes or materials may be available with their instructor. At the professor’s discretion, students may access these materials during office hours, electronically, or via hard copies. Instructors are not required to create notes/PowerPoint slides/outlines, and they may not be always be available prior to class.
Other note-taking assistance options
Individuals who cannot use the note-taking assistance options outlined above must have a discussion with a disability specialist to determine additional strategies. Depending on the requirements and availability of volunteers, a peer note-taker may be recruited and hired by DAAR. However, if a peer note-taker cannot be secured in a timely manner, we will explore other options with you and your professor.
To learn more about requesting note-taking assistance accommodations, visit the Requesting Note-Taking Assistance page.