All people, including the deaf and hearing impaired, have the right to access information and multimedia content, with their rights protected by the law. And it is easier for people who have problems with their hearing to enjoy recorded content through captions, subtitles, and transcripts. With these features, they are no longer impeded by their disability and can even enjoy live events through Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART).
Definition of CART
CART is the process of converting speech to text. A third-party CART writer or stenographer uses a stenographic machine or keyboard to transcribe spoken speech into written text. The program then transmits the written text onto a video screen or computer monitor for audience viewing.
Today, several captioning service providers often do remote CART and online CART services where the CART writer is not physically present. Instead, the writer does real-time captioning by listening to what is happening by phone or other features included in the CART software.
Purpose of CART Services
The primary purpose of CART services is to help the deaf and those with hearing disabilities understand and communicate with other people during small and large group communication environments where there is a need for verbatim conversation.
CART service is suitable for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons competent in oral and written English. The service can be an alternative for situations where sign language interpreters or transliterators, and oral interpreters in general, cannot be used.
Communication access real-time translation, which is often used for live presentations, provides real-time captions. Live presentations may include conferences, classes, meetings, sports events, concerts, and other live occasions where people with normal hearing and those who have hearing problems are present. CART is a voice-to-text translation of the spoken English word, instantaneously providing audiences with English text captions.
CART services enhance the delivery of your message. And since the law requires that you provide captions to video content, using a CART service helps you comply with the content accessibility requirements of governing bodies.
CART Captioning Process
The CART service provider has a CART writer who will listen to the audio feed. The writer uses a stenotype machine with a phonetic keyboard and CART software, which translates the phonetic symbols into English captions. The presentation host needs to ensure that the audio signal is clear so that the CART writer can hear what should be captioned. A printed transcript of the captions is provided after the live event.
The service provider can accommodate special requirements such as special text formatting or large text display.
CART service providers usually employ court reporters. Some agencies hire CART writers who are Certified Real-time Captioner (CRC). The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) issues the certification, assuring clients that the CART writer passes the CRC skills test and possesses the high skill and accuracy required to provide real-time, professional CART captioning.
Understand that CART service is a high-value service, and ensure that you hire a provider experienced in the type of live event you are hosting. Likewise, the CART writer should be certified. It will help if you provide the service provider with important information about the event and the particular terminology that the writer should understand beforehand.