CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation)

[Insert title and name]

[Insert city, state]

A New Way to Hear the World

What is CART?• An instant translation of the spoken word into English text using a stenotype

machine, notebook computer and realtime software.

• The text appears on a computer monitor or other display.

• The Americans with Disabilities Act specifically recognizes CART as an assistive technology which affords "effective communication access."

Who provides CART?

• Highly trained realtime writers

• Who can type at 200+ words per minute

• With at least 97% accuracy

Goals of CART

• Consumer centered

• Confidential

• Culturally and linguistically appropriate services

• Client conscious

How Does it Work?• Like playing piano and typing at the same time

• Same skills and equipment used in captioning

• Special stenotype keyboard– Machine Shorthand

– Phonetic

– 23 keys• Initial consonants

• Vowels

• Final consonants

• Numbers

Who Uses CART?• CART services are preferred by:

– People whose first language is English

– Late-deafened people

– Hard-of-hearing people

– People with hearing loss who do not sign

– People with cochlear implants who do not sign

– People who are deaf-blind/low vision who do not sign

– People who use cued speech or pidgin/signed exact English

– People who use oral interpreters

Who Uses CART?

• CART is also used by:– Interpreters transmitting tactile signs– Certified Deaf Interpreters with good English

skills when ASL interpreters are not available– Some culturally deaf people when ASL

interpreters are not available

CART Wannabes

• Some entities will attempt to provide services that are not CART

• Compare CART vs. notetakers– CART is word for word – 200+ wpm– CART is 97% accurate– CART lets you decide what is important– Other services are excellent for notetaking but

are not communication access. If that is not the service you need, beware.

How is CART Different?• CART differs from other notetaking

options because it:– Creates a word-for-word document– Allows the consumer to decide what is

important– Captures environmental cues like laughing or

witty banter– Offers full participation in events– Provides full and effective communication

access

CART Environments• A CART provider uses a steno machine, notebook computer and realtime

software to render instant speech-to-text translation on a computer monitor or other display for the benefit of an individual consumer or larger group in a number of settings: – Classrooms – Courtrooms – Religious services – Senior citizen meetings – Conventions and conferences – Doctor appointments – Weddings, funerals and other personal events – Civic events, such as town council meetings – Cultural presentations, such as Broadway shows – Recreation or entertainment events – Anywhere communication access is needed

The Benefits of CART• Equal communication access – in your professional and

personal life or that of a loved one

• Independence – to decide what is important in the material provided

• Freedom – of choice regarding setting, display options and seating

• Confidence – to join in conversations, knowing all words and environmental cues are captured

• Ability – to fully participate in life

• Flexibility – to make future use of printed record given to the consumer at the end of the event

What’s the Difference? Court, CART, Captioning

• Realtime – legal document – verbatim– Transcript prepared after actual event– Not for communication access– Code of Ethics

• Captioning – communication access– Provider remote from consumers (TV/Theater)– Almost verbatim

• Live Captioning• Prescripted captioning

• Theater Captioning– Prescripted

• The National Court Reporters Foundation and the American Judges Foundation have developed model guidelines for the use of CART in the courtroom. The guidelines:– Define CART and explain the duties of the CART provider;

– Set forth standards of ethics and professional responsibility;

– Explain how citizens can request the services of a CART provider;

– Establish procedures and protocol for the interaction of CART provider with the hard-of-hearing or deaf citizen and court personnel; and

– Describe appropriate procedure for providing CART service not only in the courtroom during the trial, but also in other judicial environments where communication access is necessary.

– For a copy of the guidelines, visit: http://www.ncraonline.org/foundation/research/CARTguidelines.shtml

What’s the Difference? Court, CART, CaptioningCART in the Courtroom

• Provider and consumer together

• Almost verbatim

• Provides environmental cues and nonauditory communication

• Usually not a legal record

• Code of Ethics

What’s the Difference? Court, CART, Captioning

CART – Communication Access

• Captioned CART– Conference setting– Text merged with video picture

• Remote CART– Provider in different location from consumer– Need two phone lines or one phone, one cable or

DSL– Need computer with appropriate software at

consumer location– Need microphone

What’s the Difference? Court, CART, Captioning

• Pluses– More providers

• Minuses– Special telephone lines

– Only hear whoever has microphone

– Can’t see what is written on the blackboard

– Can’t see what is on overheads or slides

– More responsibility on user to set up and connect

What’s the Difference? Court, CART, Captioning

Remote CART

Writing for CART

• Write by sound, not spelling– KAT = cat

• How many syllables?– One syllable = one stroke– Multiple syllables = one stroke for each sound– 4-5 strokes per second– 240-300 strokes per minute– 14,400 – 18,000 strokes per hour!

Writing for CART

• Phrases– Frequently used grouping of words – one stroke

• Correct me if I’m wrong = KRONG

• Abbreviations– Frequently used words – one stroke

• Gentleman = JE

Why Can’t I Read Some Things?

• Untranslates– The word isn’t defined in the dictionary and the

program tries to find the best phonetic match• GRAD - TKPWRAD

• CART providers are constantly building their computer dictionary

• Mistranslates – word boundary problems– The translation program inaccurately chooses

which combination of strokes to find a match• Forest TOR AIGS – for restoration

Why Can’t I Read Some Things?

• Overstroking or stacking– The keys on the steno machine do not release

quickly enough and a second stroke is written in the same electronic space as the first

• Fat Finger Days– One too many keys or one too few keys

stroked in an entry and doesn’t produce a dictionary match

– Program tries to find best phonetic match

Role of the CART Provider

• Before the assignment:– Contact client for relevant information– Confirms rates and cancellation policy– State rates/ freelance rates– Brings in and sets up equipment (including

projection)– Builds job dictionary

• Adds names and special words• Creates speaker identifications• Reviews reading assignments (educational)

Role of the CART Provider

• During the assignment:– Selects appropriate location with input from

consumer– Adjusts font size and colors to user preference– Writes what is said and adds nonoral

communication– Makes online defines if possible

Role of the CART Provider

• After the assignment:– Confidentiality– Reviews text for untranslates, mistranslates, and

word boundary problems and creates new dictionary entries

– May or may not provide client with ASCII disk– Deletes the text to safeguard confidentiality

unless required or requested to save– Packs up equipment and takes it away

Role of the Client

• Chooses whether consumer or provider describes CART (brochures)

• Advocates for breaks for CART provider• In classroom settings, student is responsible for

what the instructor/presenter writes on the board or overhead or shows on a slide.

• Communicates with CART provider– Lets them know whether you have a problem

– Gives input on seating preferences

– Gives input on font size and screen colors

Who to Ask for CART• Every entity covered by the ADA must have a contact person – your

first point of contact– Consumer must ask for the accommodation– If they don’t know who to call, give them assistance

• Courts – if you are called as a juror, witness or participant, each court has an ADA coordinator

• Postsecondary education – contact ADA coordinator, Disability Services Office or similar organization

• Employment – your employer or human resources department• Public events – registration material should have a notice about

accommodations and a contact

Why Educate Decision Makers?• Some decision makers, such as local school

systems or universities, don’t understand the benefits of CART

• NCRA is working to educate legislators, school and university disability services coordinators, and other appropriate individuals about the benefits of CART and how important this methodology is to the communication needs of people with hearing loss

How Do You Locate the Decision Maker?

• Educational Setting– For university or college, contact the office of

support services, office of disability services, or a department with a similar name.

– For grade school through high school CART, follow the procedure set out in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Ensuring Quality CART

• How can you determine if a provider is qualified? Ask the CART Provider if they are familiar with the CART Provider’s Manual and Guidelines for Professional Practice. Read through:

– CART Provider’s Manual• http://cart.ncraonline.org/providers/manual.shtml

– Guidelines for Professional Practice• http://cart.ncraonline.org/providers/guidelines.shtml

– Questions to Ask a CART Provider• http://www.cart-info.org/questions.html

Ensuring Quality CART

• In November 2003, the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) implemented a new certification exam specifically for CART providers which includes a written knowledge test covering technology, deaf/HOH sensitivity and laws, plus a dictated skills test.

• The Certified CART Provider (CCP) certification verifies that a provider has the entry-level skills needed to provide quality realtime writing in CART environments.

New CART Certification

Ensuring Quality CART, con’t

• Confirm that the CART provider will test for hardware and software compatibility when there is a need to project the text.

• Arrange all service and payment details in advance.

• Always ask for references.

Requesting CART Services• Date, time and location of assignment• Projected length of assignment• Up to three hours may need one or two CART providers• Over three hours, need two CART providers• CART providers should have 5 minute breaks every hour when

working alone• Name and number of consumer(s)• Type of assignment (wedding, class, etc.)• Who else will be present, spelling of names• Agendas, speakers’ names and bios

Requesting CART Services, con’t

• Will CART be projected?• Who will provide the screen?• Table for projector, chair without arms• Pre-event contact to coordinate information, confirm

rates and cancellation policy• Minimum fee – if any• Billing contact information• Assignment at third-party location• Directions to assignment location

ASCII Disks

• Stenotype software can create an ASCII disk of the session– Not a legal document – even if from a court setting

– Complete notetaking – can be edited

– There is a fee

• When is it appropriate?– Education setting with approval

– Meetings – for notetaking with advanced warning and agreement of all participants

– If speaker’s content is copyrighted, must get permission

Choices – Display Options

• CART may be used for an individual consumer, displayed onto a computer screen

• CART can also be used for a larger audience, with text projected onto a bigger screen or even a wall

Ethical Considerations

• Confidentiality• Sensitivity• Staying in role• Impartiality

– Similar to Code of Ethics of ASL interpreters– National Court Reporters Association Code of

Professional Ethics

Professional Standards

• CART in the legal setting:A. Accept assignments using discretion with regard to

skill, setting, and the consumers involved, and accurately represent the provider’s qualifications for CART

B. Establish a clear understanding of:I. Who is hiring the CART provider;II. The role played by the provider in assisting with

communication as opposed to the role of the Official Reporter of Proceedings in providing a verbatim record;

III. The fact that no roughly edited electronic file will be produced; and

IV. The need to preserve the unedited text file with disclaimer in accordance with statute or court order, or for a period of no less than five years

NCRA Guidelines – Section III

Professional Standards

• CART in the legal setting:C. Refrain from working in the dual capacity of Official

Reporter of Proceedings and CART Provider at the same time. When no other option exists, the role to be performed is that of the Official Reporter of Proceedings, and all present are entitled to read the display screen of the Official Reporter, which does not include the content and spirit of the speaker, as well as environmental sounds, that would normally be provided by the CART provider. Disclosure must be made to the court and all parties, including the person requiring interpretive services, of this limitation.

NCRA Guidelines – Section III - continued

• CART in the legal setting:D. Acquire, when possible, information or materials in

advance to prepare a job dictionary

E. Know the software and hardware system to be used and be able to do troubleshooting

F. Strive to achieve, as nearly verbatim as possible, 100 percent accuracy at all times

G. Include in the realtime display the identification, content and spirit of the speaker, as well as environmental sounds (except under circumstances described in item C)

Professional StandardsNCRA Guidelines – Section III - continued

• CART in the legal setting:H. Refrain from counseling, advising, or interjecting

personal opinions except as required to accomplish the task at hand

I. In a confidential setting (e.g., legal discussions, jury deliberations, attorney/client discussions), delete all files immediately after the assignment unless otherwise requested not to do so, or ordered by the Court

J. Cooperate with all parties to ensure that effective communication is taking place

Professional StandardsNCRA Guidelines – Section III - continued

• CART in the legal setting:K. Preserve the privacy of a consumer’s personal

informationL. Familiarize oneself with the provisions of

NCRA’s “The CART Provider’s Manual,” these Guidelines, the General Guidelines for

Professional Practice, and any updates thereto

M. Keep abreast of any current trends, laws, literature, and technological advances relating

to CART

Professional StandardsNCRA Guidelines – Section III - continued

Professional Standards

• CART in the nonlegal setting:A. Accept assignments using discretion with regard to

skill, setting, and the consumers involved, and accurately represent the provider’s qualifications for CART

B. Establish a clear understanding of:I. Who is hiring the CART Provider;

II. Whether an electronic file of the roughly edited text with disclaimer is to be preserved;

III. If yes, whether all participants have been informed that an electronic file of the roughly edited text with disclaimer will be preserved; and

IV. Who is entitled to receive a copy of the electronic file

NCRA Guidelines – Section IV

• CART in a nonlegal setting:C. Acquire, when possible, information or materials in

advance to prepare a job dictionary

D. Know the software and hardware system to be used and be able to do troubleshooting

E. Strive to achieve, as nearly verbatim as possible, 100 percent accuracy at all times

F. Include in the realtime display the identification, content and spirit of the speaker, as well as environmental sounds

Professional StandardsNCRA Guidelines – Section IV- continued

• CART in the nonlegal setting:G. Refrain from counseling, advising, or

interjecting personal opinions except as required to accomplish the task at hand

H. Cooperate with all parties to ensure that effective communication is taking place

I. In a confidential setting (e.g., medical discussions, support groups), delete all files immediately after the assignment unless otherwise requested not to do so

Professional StandardsNCRA Guidelines – Section IV - continued

• CART in the nonlegal setting:J. Preserve the privacy of a consumer’s

personal information

K. Familiarize oneself with the provisions of NCRA’s “The CART Provider’s Manual,” these Guidelines, and any updates thereto

L. Keep abreast of any current trends, laws, literature, and technological advances relating

to CART

Professional StandardsNCRA Guidelines – Section IV - continued

Meeting the Demand for CART

• Introduced legislation (H.R. 970 and S. 480) to obtain federal funding for training captioners and CART providers

• Need grassroots letters of support to Congress emphasizing the importance of this service to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community

• For help with letters, please visit:

http://www.congressweb.com/cweb4/index.cfm?orgcode=ncra

NCRA’s Federal Initiative

NCRA’s Federal Initiative

• Since 2000, NCRA has helped generate over $10 million in federal funding for a total of 18 realtime-training programs across the country.

• NCRA will continue to help guide schools through the earmark process until legislation passes, allowing for competitive grants.

What Does it Mean for Consumers?

• Potentially, an immediate increase in the current number of CART providers and broadcast captioners.

• In the long term, a qualified CART provider and broadcast captioner who can enter either field immediately upon graduation from a training program.

What Laws Pertain to CART?

• This is for background information only

• Consult your legal advisor for specific information

• Learn your rights so you can be knowledgeable when requesting services

What Laws Pertain to CART?

• Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504– (29 USC, section 794) requires colleges and universities

which receive any federal assistance to provide interpreters to deaf students

• U.S. Department of Education has determined that these institutions must provide necessary auxiliary aids for sensory impaired students (34CFR 104.11(d))– Funding may be available from state rehabilitation

organizations

What Laws Pertain to CART?

• What is a “reasonable accommodation”?– Any effective device that allows for

communication access– CART is considered a “reasonable

accommodation”– However, final decision for type of service is

up to the providing organization or school– Can cite “undue hardship,” meaning “an action

requiring significant difficulty or expense,” if it chooses not to provide the requested service.

What Laws Pertain to CART?

• Americans with Disabilities Act – 1990– 42 USC Section 12182, 12183 (Title III)– Auxiliary aids and services 28CFR 36.303(c)

• A public accommodation shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities

• All postsecondary educational institutions, regardless of whether or not they receive federal assistance, must provide communication access

What Laws Pertain to CART?• Auxiliary Aids and Services

– Qualified interpreters, notetakers

– Computer-aided transcription services (CART)

– Written materials, telephone handset amplifiers

– Assistive learning devices or systems

– Telephones compatible with hearing aids

– Closed caption decoders

– Open and closed captioning

– Telecommunication devices (TTYs)

– Or other effective methods of making aurally delivered materials available to individuals with hearing impairments

What Laws Pertain to CART?

• Office for Civil Rights – three basic components of effective communication– Timeliness of delivery– Accuracy of translation– Provision of communication in a manner and

medium appropriate to the significance of the message and the abilities of the individual with the disability

Who Pays for CART?– The Department of Justice does not permit a public

accommodation to charge a person for the cost of the auxiliary aid provided. Title III 28CFR 36.301(c)

– Office of Civil Rights – the (public) agency may not assess any additional charge for the provision of an auxiliary aid or service. 28CFR 35.130(f)

– Some students may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation assistance (Patrick, 7NDLR 470 (1995))

– Many lawsuits – see NAD Web site• http://www.nad.org/infocenter/legal/pricollege.html

Who Pays for CART?

• Department of Justice – 28CFR 36.309(a)– Any private entity that offers examinations or courses

related to applications, licensing, or certification or credentialing for secondary or post-secondary education, professional or trade purposes shall offer such examinations in a place and manner accessible to persons with disabilities or offer alternative accessible arrangements for such individuals.

– A private entity that offers a course covered by this section shall provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for persons with impaired sensory ability.

Who Pays for CART?• Department of Justice – 28CFR 36.309(c)

– The ADA applies to all activities of the institution, including extracurricular activities and activities that take place outside the classroom

– Colleges and universities have duties to make physical accommodations to deaf students in dormitories, university buildings and other facilities, including flashing light alarms, visible doorbells, other signaling devices and access to captioned television and telecommunications equipment.

Who Pays for CART? Tax Credits

• The cost of interpreters and other auxiliary aids may entitle a business to an income tax credit as well as the usual business-related expense deduction.

• Internal Revenue code has been amended to provide tax incentives for removing barriers or increasing accessibility.

• Disabled Access Tax Credit Title 26, IRC Section 44

• For information, IRS, 800-829-1040 Voice ; 800-829-4059 TTY

More Laws• Telecommunications Act of 1996

– Captioning– 100 percent of all new non-exempt programming

must be captioned by 2006 (1998 FCC decision)• 30 percent of a channel’s pre-rule programming had

to have captions beginning January 2, 2003.• Requirements for Spanish language captioning

• FCC – August 29, 2000 – all television broadcasters are required to provide visual emergency announcements and closed captioning that do not block

More Laws

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)– Requires public school systems to provide a

“free, appropriate public education” to children who need specialized services because of a disability

– Establishes procedure for developing an individualized curriculum and identifying needed support services

More on IDEA

• How the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Applies to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

by Celeste D. Johnson– http://www.clerccenter2.gallaudet.edu/KidsWorldDeafNet/library

• IDEA – Individual Education Plan– Elementary schools

• Reading ability

– Secondary Schools• Classes

• Extracurricular activities

Individual Education Plan (IEP)

• Department of Education – Policy Guidance– 57 Federal Register 49274 – October 1992

• In developing an IEP for a deaf or hard-of-hearing child, an entity must take into consideration:

– Communication needs and the child’s preferred mode of communication

– Linguistic needs

– Severity of hearing loss and potential for using residual hearing

– Academic level

– Social, emotional and cultural needs, including opportunities for peer interaction and communication

More information on CART

• National Court Reporters Association– http://www.ncraonline.org– http://www.cart-info.org– http://cart.ncraonline.org– (800) 272-6272 voice– (703) 556-6289 TTY– MSIC@NCRAonline.org