Video Recording Accommodation Guide

Overview

This accommodation is provided in accordance with both the Information and Communication Standard and the Customer Service Standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Students who require video recording of lectures have a disability that impacts the ability to efficiently process verbal and visual information presented in class. As such, the student will benefit from revisiting verbal and visual lecture information in order to effectively learn concepts.

Video recording aids comprehension when learning objectives are delivered in a highly visual format, and where audio recording alone would not be adequate.

Video recordings give students the ability to review material that they might have missed or not grasped when initially delivered in class. As a result, all students can benefit from video recordings and instructors are encouraged to take the lead and create recordings as part of a Universal Design for Learning. Instructors can contact the Centre for Teaching and Learning for technological assistance.

When Video Recording is an accommodation on a student’s Accommodation Letter, the student is responsible for recording. Students can book appointments with an Adaptive Technologist in the Accessible Learning Lab to review technology for recording. Students should speak to their Accessibility Counsellor for more information on Adaptive Technology referral and support.

Video Recording Guidelines

To qualify for this accommodation, the student must present the Accessibility Counsellor with documentation from a regulated health care professional (e.g. physician, psychologist and psychiatrist) that supports video recording of lectures.

The Accessibility Counsellor will include the recording accommodation as part of the student’s Accommodation Letter and professors can view this accommodation in their portal. The student may also make a new accommodation request through their Accommodate student portal and if approved by the Accessibility Counsellor, a new letter that specifies this accommodation will be sent to the professor’s Accommodate portal.

The professor reviews the Student Agreement found on the last page of this guide with the student.

Video recording of lectures is allowable under existing Canadian copyright legislation, due to the exception of fair dealing. For those interested in accessing more information about copyright law as it relates to fair dealing and exceptions please refer to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office website.

However, at the discretion of the professor, video recording may be prohibited during lectures that involve discussion on topics that may yield personal or confidential information and are likely to involve a degree of self-disclosure. If there are specific circumstances in which it is deemed inappropriate to record a particular class (or portion of class), all efforts will be made to inform the student well in advance. In circumstances where recording of lectures is not permitted, alternative arrangements to recording should be discussed between the professors and student.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Recording

Professors may have incorporated one or more UDL elements to meet the need for recorded lectures into their course. Students are encouraged to contact their professor to determine if a UDL solution has already been applied to their course that may meet this accommodation need.

Student Agreement

1. Use the recorded files only for personal study and for NO other purposes
2. DO NOT, under any circumstances, distribute or share the recording with any other individual, in any format, without obtaining, the prior written consent of the professor
3. Occasionally, lecture topics or class discussions may prompt disclosure of personal information by classmates. Students are encouraged to speak with their professor to discuss those times when content may prompt disclosure of personal information so that students are prepared to stop recording during those times. Students are asked to use good judgement and be respectful of others while using this accommodation. This accommodation is meant to help students record only the content specific to the learning outcomes of a course. Respect the professor’s decision to prohibit recording during portions of classes that may prompt disclosure of personal information. In such a case, the student will work with their professor to discuss alternative arrangements. Students should focus their recording devices on course material being presented by the instructor and record or capture in a manner that ensures the privacy of other students present
4. Understand that the information contained in the recording is protected under federal and international copyright legislation
5. Do not publish or quote any lecture material without the professor’s explicit written consent and without properly identifying and crediting the professor
6. Delete/destroy audio/video material at least 30 days after the completion of a course. Students may require content from audio and video material for study or review after a course has been completed. Students are encouraged to contact their Accessibility Counsellor or Adaptive Technologist if they require support with obtaining abbreviated notes or transcriptions from audio or video content prior to deletion
7. Failure to comply with this agreement may be considered a violation of any applicable Mohawk College policy including the Student Behaviour Policy

Want to know more about software used for recording and notetaking?

Visit our page on learning strategies where you will find specific information on notetaking technology.