Captioning and Communication Access Real-time (CART) is the instant translation of the spoken word into English text using a stenotype machine, notebook computer and real-time software with the text appearing on a computer monitor or other display, such as a projector screen. CART is also often referred to as real-time captioning.
CART offers word for word translation and is provided by a professional who is skilled and trained in using the stenographic equipment. Many captioning services offer remote CART and internet captioning where the stenographer is not physically present at the event but can listen-in through a telephone line.
Communication Access Real-time Translation is an evolving and maturing profession, and the available technology associated with CART is rapidly advancing.
(Caption It 2008; Communication Access Information Center 2008; Job Accommodation Network 2008).
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
People who are deaf or hard of hearing may benefit from the use of Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) services during small and large group communication situations when verbatim conversation is essential to effective communication.
This technology is primarily used by people who are late-deafened, oral deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have cochlear implants. Culturally Deaf people also make use of CART in certain situations. CART may also be of assistance to people attending large gatherings, conferences and those for whom English is a second language.
Shorthand reporters reproduce the spoken word either in real-time (viewable by you on a laptop), captioning (on your Teletext television), or as a hard-copy or email-copy transcript. The Website of the Shorthand Reporters Association of Australia (SRAA) lists those of its members that offer CART services around Australia (see Related Links on this page).
(Job Accommodation Network 2008; Shorthand Reporters Association of Australia 2008)
Relevant Links:
References
Caption It 2008, Communication Access Realtime Translation, Caption It, Canberra, viewed 14 February 2008, <http://www.captioning.com.au/pages/03_cart.html>.
Communication Access Information Center 2008, What Exactly Is CART?, National Court Reporters Association, Virginia, viewed 14 February 2008, <http://www.cartinfo.org/>.
Job Accommodation Network 2008, CART services (Communication Access Realtime Translation), Office of Disability Employment Policy U.S. Department of Labor, West Virginia, viewed 13 February 2008, <http://www.jan.wvu.edu/cgi-win/OrgQuery.exe?Sol491>.
Shorthand Reporters Association of Australia 2008, About the SRAA, SRAA: Shorthand Reporters Association of Australia, Sydney, viewed 14 February 2008, <http://www.sraa.org/index.php>.