Work and Volunteer Opportunities

To find out about volunteer and work opportunities within Disability Services, please contact:

Coordinator of Disability Services
Voice/relay: (413) 775-1812
Fax: (413) 774-7884
Email: 

or

Administrative Assistant
Voice: (413) 775-1332
Email: 

Examples of Volunteer Services

Note-taker

This service benefits students whose disability prevents them from being able to take effective notes.

Note-taker Responsibilities:

  • Meet with the Coordinator of Disability Services to work out the logistics of note-sharing, if necessary.
  • Attend every class on time.  In the event of an absence, try to obtain the notes for that class from another student and share those with the student receiving copies of your notes.
  • Take in-depth notes. If taking notes by hand, write neatly. Take notes on all lecture, PowerPoint, video, guest speaker, class discussion, and any presentation information during class.
  • Share notes by using a carbon-less notepad provided by Disability Services, by photocopying notes in the Wellness Center (or at a copier convenient to the classroom), or by emailing notes taken on a laptop.
  • Communicate to Disability Services any problems or concerns throughout the semester.
  • Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
  • Note-takers who share their notes for the entire semester will receive a $50 gift card to the bookstore at the end of the semester; shorter lengths of time will be prorated. Note-takers who are not satisfying the job requirements may be dismissed at any point without compensation.

Examples of Work Opportunities

Scribe

For students whose disabilities prevent them from writing in-class assignments or performing in-class hands-on activities, Disability Services will provide an in-class scribe. The duties of the scribe are to write (by hand or computer) verbatim what the student with the disability dictates. Scribes should be fluent in English and be familiar with the necessary formats, but they are not responsible for proofreading papers. The student with the disability is expected to direct the scribe what to write and where to place the information, for example in a formula or works cited list. Scribes are not allowed to tutor, prompt or correct the student with the disability. Scribes are paid an hourly rate by the Disability Services office.

Scribe responsibilities:

  • Attend every class on time. Notify Disability Services and the student in advance if the scribe will not be able to attend a class.
  • Read, write and comprehend through attentive listening.
  • Write legibly by hand or accurately type into a computer the student's dictation and class lecture notes.
  • Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Work Study Position

Located on the fourth floor of the Core, the GCC Wellness Center/Disability Services works with students, faculty, and staff to promote universal design and to remove barriers to access on campus.   Work Study students in Disability Services will work with the Disability Services Coordinator and the Wellness Center Administrative Assistant.  This position includes:

  • Fulfilling requests for alternate format textbooks, including scanning texts, burning CDs, and emailing students
  • Creating/maintaining documentation for students using assistive technology
  • Training students to use assistive technology such as smart pens, text-to-speech and speech-to-text software programs
  • Researching innovations in assistive technology
  • Creating instructional documentation for work study tasks
  • Assisting with administrative tasks

Additional tasks may include but are not limited to:

  • Occasional reception
  • Coaching students on skills such as time management and test-taking
  • Assisting with Disability Services programs; may include planning, promotion, and implementation

Training and support will be provided on assistive technology and coaching but initiative and ability to learn independently are desirable qualities.

Minimum Required Skills:

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Strong computer skills
  • Good research skills
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality
  • Ability to be flexible
  • Ability to organize materials, file, and do general office work
  • Ability to take initiative in the office setting and work independently
  • Neat, professional appearance

Preferred Skills

  • Familiarity with Word, Publisher, Excel, Outlook
  • Familiarity with designing posters, pamphlets, etc.
  • Strong organizational skills