| Communication
Access in Public Places
Audioloops/Induction Loops and FM/Infrared
Systems enhance the use of hearing aids in theaters, churches,
classrooms, and at public meetings. The Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) of 1990 mandates the inclusion of assistive devices/systems
in a host of public settings.
Other communication accommodations that are allowable by this law include:
Computer Assisted Notetaking (CAN) – which requires
a laptop or personal computer that is connected to a multi-media projector,
a TV screen, or on a computer monitor and summarizes meeting or lecture
notes. It is not a word-for-word process; the typist needs to be able
to process the information, summarize what is heard, type quickly and
with few errors. The notetaker must be able to hear the speaker well
enough to type the notes.
Computer Assisted Real Time Translation (CART) –
this requires a trained stenographic court reporter to type verbatim
what is said in the classroom, courtroom, or at a public meeting. The
steno machine is connected to a laptop computer, which contains specialized
software that converts steno information into written English.
C-Print – this requires a trained captioner to
type directly onto a laptop computer everything that is being said in
the classroom, courtroom, or at a public meeting. This process utilizes
special software, which enables the captioner to condense the information
using abbreviations and brief shortcuts. The software recognizes these
shortcuts and ‘translates’ it into clear and concise sentences.
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