Premier Captioning Wicklow are proud to advise that they are working with a deaf student at Trinity College Dublin to provide support in group tutorials where students are asked to discuss questions or issues raised by the tutor.
Remote Captioning Services Save Resources
PCR’s service is remote, meaning the transcriber does not have to be physically in the room. This makes it less intrusive for the student and convenient for PCR staff, who do not need to travel. All that’s needed, is for the college’s IT team to set up internet access to the room, and for the lecturer to wear a small microphone to enhance the Skype audio.
The text is relayed to the captioner online and the student reads the captioner’s text on their laptop or their iPhone, meaning they are no different to any other student.
Communication Access Realtime Translation
CART is a well-known service in the US and is cited in the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) for use at schools and universities in the United States. PCR (Premier Captioning & Realtime) is actively promoting CART in Ireland for access to education and workplaces.
PCR’s Michelle Coffey says, “Our plans are to have it provided anywhere and everywhere it is needed!” She adds, “I’d love to have people knocking on our door asking about the service”. The reality however is that not many people know about it. She hopes however that when people do, they will ask access officers in education about the service.
Barriers To Students Accessing CART Services
One barrier PCR finds is that access officers in universities ask students to tell them what services they require rather than telling the students what is available. Accordingly the student is disadvantaged before lectures even begin due to not knowing what CART is.
Another drawback is that some schools/ colleges cannot afford the service due to budgetary constraints where services are cut, not being increased or redirected to digital solutions.
Podcast Transcripts And Video Captions
PCR transcribes podcasts, audio, video and videophone clips. With podcasts used in teaching, PCR assigns time to transcribe for podcast-using educators in Ireland.
The benefits of CART don’t stop at education as the service can be used for conferences, theatre, product launches, presentations and cinema opening nights or producer talks.
Their primary focus is on education with Trinity College being the first university they worked with. All interested parties can contact PCR for more details about their services.
Further reading:
“Deaf students get lecture text via iPhone” (Daily Yomuri)
Real-Time Captioning At School Via Mobile Phone
