Captions-Human Generated (CART)

Live, Human-Generated Captions 

(Institution provided)

Captions are invaluable for people with hearing loss. Captions provide visual accommodations to supplement the spoken word.

CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation). CART is an accurate, verbatim, near-instantaneous conversion of the spoken language into text by a stenographer using a stenotype machine, a laptop, and software to produce the text. In addition to capturing the speaker’s communication, CART providers also include environmental cues and are sensitive to the consumer’s needs.

For technical accuracy, CART is preferred over automatic captions when there is technical information, such as medical, legal appointments, and court proceedings.

• In-person CART professional: usually preferable to have the best access to sound.
• Remote CART professional: has improved immeasurably. Remember to prioritize how the mic(s) are used effectively.
• It’s ok for anyone, including the CART provider, to say, “Hold up – words matter, and _(insert name)_ deserves every one of them.”

Text can be displayed on a wall, projector screen, computer screen, or on a smartphone. Text can also be embedded in virtual meeting platforms (see below for links).