Some other reasons that remote services have been incorporated as an accommodation option include:
- The lack of equipment or technology to provide the specialized services
- Not enough or too many hours of real-time captioning services needed to justify hiring staff
- Do not have the available staff to coordinate services on a daily basis
- More cost effective to outsource real-time captioning services than to build and establish in-house program
- Need back-up resource available in the event live interpreters or captionists are sick or unavailable
- Need to utilize a remote C-Print ® captionist to team with a live C-Print® captionist for long or complex assignments
- For assignments that arise or change at the last minute and a live interpreter or captionist is not available
What equipment would I need to use remote captioning services through
WORDFLy?
Clients will need to provide their own laptop computer and high-speed internet access. WORDFLy will provide as part of the initial set-up fee the equipment necessary to receive the auditory information from the speaker or class through the laptop, to the captionist. AOL Instant Messanger service is also recommended to be loaded on the laptop so that the student has communication access with the captionist and/or technical support in the event of a problem or technical question. Accessing the real-time captioning services through the internet is quick and easy. Clients will receive detailed printed instructions as well have access to technical support if necessary.
How is the audio from the speaker sent to the remote captionist?
The student/attendee in the meeting will have a high gain microphone attached to their laptop that will pick up the teacher or presenters voice in the room. This microphone is similar to the mics used by court reporters. The sound is being transmitted via an integrated Voice-Over-IP technology built into our connection software back to the captionist that is off-site.
Who can benefit from using remote captioning services as a communication accommodation?
Real-time captioning services have primarily been provided as an accommodation option for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. However, other individuals have also been able to benefit from receiving information through text format. Some other populations that have successfully utilized real-time captioning services include individual s who have:
- Visual Impairments (have transcripts printed in either large font or in Braille)
- Auditory Processing Disorders
- AD/HD
- Learning Disabilities
- Various dexterity impairments and who are English as a Second Language Users
What quality control mechanisms are used to ensure the highest quality of services are provided?
All C-Print® captionists that are utilized to provide remote real-time captioning through WORDFLy have completed the required training courses and have prior experience in providing real-time captioning. In addition, all individuals are closely screened and monitored to ensure the highest quality of services are consistently provided. Administrators have the option of logging into the remote real-time captioning setting through their desktop computer without leaving their office to also monitor the services being provided as they wish. WORDFLy strongly encourages feedback, both positive and negative, from clients in order to make sure we are providing services that meet your unique and individualized needs.
What happens in the event of technical problems?
WORDFLy maintains an AOL Instant Messenger Screen name that allows individuals to contact both their captionist and/or technical support in the event of any problems during a scheduled session. In addition WORDFLy will provide detailed written technical instructions, phone technical support and demonstrations in order to assist clients in becoming familiar with using the technology that facilitates the remote real-time captioning services.
Yes! There is no additional charge to receive a copy of the transcript. All transcripts will be uploaded online by our captionists within 24-hours of the class or event. Administrators will be given the log-in information to access the transcripts online and they can individually determine who they may grant access. Some administrators give both the student/consumer the access information so that they can obtain the transcripts on their own. Others choose to personally maintain and monitor the transcript usage more closely. In addition, some faculty members or presenters may request for copies of their transcripts as well for their own personal use and administrators can individually make that decision as well.
Can you provide captioning services for pre-recorded materials such as MP3, DVDs, CDs, online files, etc.?
Yes! In the event a client has materials that are not accessible with either open or closed captions, they can request that a transcript be made from the pre-recorded material. Providing a transcript of the pre-recorded information gives individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing access to the additional resources and information that they otherwise would not be able to benefit from. This service provides equal access to ALL material.
**Note** - Captioning pre-recorded media generally is billed between 1.5 – 2 times the actual length of the material. Typically, it takes longer to captioning pre-recorded media than to real-time information. Professionally produced media usually has music, descriptions, multiple speakers, dialogue, descriptors, etc. in addition to the main speaker. Depending on the complexity of the pre-recorded media, additional time in producing the transcripts may be required at times.
Are WORDFLy services cost effective and affordable?
Generally speaking, utilizing remote real-time captioning services will cost approximately the same or less than using a live real-time captionist or interpreter(s). While remote services may not always be the most cost effective alternative, there are several factors that make this method of service delivery a viable accommodation option financially, including:
