UCLA OFFICE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Transcription Assistance Guidelines

Main Office: A255 Murphy Hall (310) 825-1501 voice, (310) 206-6083 tty, (310) 825-9656 fax
Resource Room: 181 Powell Library (310) 825-2651
Transcription Services (310) 825-1501

UCLA's Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) is mandated by Federal and State law and University policy to provide academic support services to regularly enrolled students with documented permanent and temporary disabilities.

Qualifying for the Transcriber Service

Students must register with, and provide documentation of their disability to the Office for Students with Disabilities. To register with the OSD, make an appointment with the appropriate OSD Disability Specialist mentioned below. They will assist you with completing the OSD Information Sheet, reviewing your documentation, and discussing your eligibility for Transcription Assistance Services.

Students with a learning disability, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, psychological disability or an acquired brain injury must meet with an OSD Learning Disabilities Specialist.
Students with hearing impairments must meet with the Assistant Director.
Students with physical, visual or health related disabilities must meet with the Assistant Director, or the Notetaker/Mobility Assistance Coordinator.

The Transcriber Service is available to students whose disability-based need cannot be met by their independent use of technology. The Transcriber Service is for students who need a typist with word processing skills to transcribe essays, papers or other class assignments from one-on-one sessions of dictation or from a taped cassette.

How the Service Works

The OSD refers students who may need to explore the use and purchase of adaptive computer technology to the Disabilities and Computing Program (DCP). The DCP offers assessment and orientation to adaptive computer technology that includes adaptive keyboards, voice recognition systems, and other adaptations allowing students to work independently.

Should you qualify for Transcribers, you will be asked to fill out an Alternative Format Request form and make an appointment to meet with the Notetaker/Mobility Assistance Coordinator. Your meeting with the Coordinator will consist of discussing in detail the information you provide on the Alternative Format Request form and what specific service approach will best meet your needs. All students must attach a course syllabus to the request sheet. You must meet with your Disability Specialist every term to initiate this service. Graduate students working on research for a dissertation must submit the Alternative Format Request Form and a copy of an abstract or a letter from their department outlining the subject and the projected typing/word processing load as needed. Additionally, you are asked to keep the following in mind:

Transcribers help you with academically related materials. While working together, it is the role of the Transcriber to type the material as dictated by the student. The Transcriber should not “correct,” compose, or edit material.
Today on campus, more than ever before, the needs of students with disabilities are being met by the libraries and the numerous computer labs across campus. In light of this, it is our intention that only students whose disability-based needs cannot be met by using the above-mentioned campus resources be approved to use the OSD Transcription Assistance Service. At the same time, the OSD recognizes that some of our students’ disability-based needs require a specific environment and/or assistive technology to achieve equal access to their educational programs. Please discuss this with the Notetaker/Mobility Assistance Coordinator as necessary.
It is the responsibility of the OSD student to review and sign the Transcriber Assistant’s timesheets. All OSD service providers are paid hourly. Timesheets should be signed in a timely manner so that they can be submitted to the OSD by the due dates.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is extended to all students receiving services from the OSD. OSD staff and service providers are required to keep all student and assignment related information strictly confidential.

Service Providers’ Employment

Service providers, other than volunteer notetakers, are employees of the OSD and the University. The OSD and its employees must observe laws and regulations pertaining to the Personnel Policies. This is a reminder that meal periods and rest periods are required by Personnel Policies for Staff Members Section 31-B-1 and 31-B-2 for student employees and Cue Clerical Unit Contract Article 10, schedule E and F for non-student employees. Please feel free to contact OSD if you have questions regarding these policies.

Summary

The key to a successful term is for all people to take responsibility for their part in the service. If there are any problems or concerns contact the Notetaker/Mobility Assistance Coordinator immediately. Remember, communication is the key to success.

How to Resolve Service Delivery Problems

It is fair to say that even with the best efforts of everyone involved with your service delivery at UCLA, a problem may occur. If this should happen, we strongly encourage you to let us know so that we can work together to solve the problem as quickly as possible. Experience has shown us that many times a problem arises because of a misunderstanding or miscommunication; clarification can be a quick and effective solution. We can help with suggestions on how to resolve problems you may have with your service providers, professors, TA’s or Departments. It is best to discuss the issue with the person involved first, and if you have not arrived at a satisfactory resolution, then go to the person’s supervisor or department chair. If the OSD is part of the problem, we want to know that, too. Should the OSD be unable to assist in resolving a problem, we can refer you to other on-campus resources.

We recommend the following progression as the most efficient way of dealing with issues:

Start by discussing the problem with the person involved.
If the matter is unresolved, communicate with the person in charge of the services or program in question.
If the matter is still unresolved, call and make an appointment with Kathy Molini, OSD Director at (310) 825-1501 (voice), (310) 206-6083 (tty), kmolini@saonet.ucla.edu
If the matter is still unresolved, please contact Ed Wiesmeier, Assistant Vice-Chancellor Student Development & Health, at (310) 825-7692, ewiesmei@ashe.ucla.edu

The University is available to assist you in resolving conflicts by informal means. Throughout any of these procedures you may expect to be treated with respect, receive a timely response, and have your issues dealt with in a confidential manner (if so requested). Retaliation in any form against persons who file complaints is prohibited by disability-related law and University policy. The University expects from you that you bring up any problems early, give clear and detailed information and be respectful of those people who are working with you. If you wish to know more about your rights as a disabled person under Federal and State law and University policy, OSD can refer you to the appropriate entity.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires the University to adopt and publish procedures to resolve problems regarding access to the educational program for persons with disabilities. An individual who believes he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of disability should contact the ADA/504 Compliance Office at (310) 825-2242.

UCLA developed this information in accordance with these references: Public Law 101-336; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students, Section 140.00.

If you would like these Guidelines in an alternative format, contact the Office for Students with Disabilities at (310) 825-1501 (voice), (310) 206-6083 (TTY) or (310) 825-9656 fax.