What is TypeWell Transcribing? 

Is it like CART (real time captioning) ? Well...sort of.  Its not verbatim word to word

but it does 'translate' meaning for meaning.

"Meaning-for-Meaning Transcription is very similar to Sign Language Interpreting. You may notice with interpreters that there is a delay in the information relayed because it takes the interpreter time to hear, understand,and then convey the meaning of the message into grammatically correct sign language. This is the exact process that a TypeWell Transcriber goes through as well. " (Source:  http://www.alldeaf.com/showthread.php?t=48691

With CART, the reporter types everything she/he hears in verbatim.  What are the advantages of

TypeWell over CART?  Generally TypeWell is less costly then CART.  Generally CART will
capture the conversation in  its entirety.  Type Well is more like conveying the meaning of the message much like sign language Interpreting.  CART types everything exactly as is spoken.   
That's why its called verbatim.



Catholics With Hearing Loss Yahoo Forum Group

If you are Catholic with a hearing loss (mild to profound) and  interested in
discussing with others about how to make the Mass and other parts of church
life more accessible, along with supporting one another spiritually  - Subscribe at

cccatholic-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Group Description

Catholics with Hearing loss interested in having the Mass in CC (CART), audio induction loops and other accommodations, along with conferences and workshops and how to support accessibility in the church and one another.

Comparing ‘real time’ Captioning Services for the hard of hearing/oral deaf/late deaf           population

Facts, Reviews and Opinions on these services on a thread:

"C-PRINT is a system that’s very similar to TypeWell. 

They both use computer keyboards and omit vowels when they type so that the software can guess the words they're trying to write. They're both really notetaking or outlining programs and not true verbatim transcription systems. C-PRINT and Typewell have a top speed of about 120 words per minute with a very fast and accomplished operator. CART providers have to be able to write at least 225 words per minute, and the best of them can get up to 240 or even 260. The average rate of speech is 180, but some people speak much more quickly than that, and the complexity of the material can really affect the accuracy of the transcription….”

"I am a CART Provider who uses my voice instead of a steno machine.”

"Meaning-for-Meaning vs. Verbatim

One thing to know is that TypeWell & C-print are meaning-for-meaning transcription systems. They are not designed to be verbatim transcripts. 

What is "meaning-for-meaning" transcribing? It is taking the spoken English (which is not grammatically correct) and putting it down in grammatically correct written English. Meaning-for-meaning transcripts put all of the meaning of the words into the transcript, without the needless utterances, stammers and stuttering that sometimes happens…

The normal delay from the time the transcriber hears a sentence to the time the words start to appear on the screen should be about 3 - 5 seconds. In some cases where the transcriber is very slow, it may be that they are new, they are unfamiliar with the material, or the material is too technical for TypeWell and would be better served by CART. 

In most cases, TypeWell can cover nearly any subject.Classes that are very technical such as medicine or law are best served by CART because they are able to capture all of the vocabulary required for the course quickly.

Bottom Line There is an appropriate place for all of these service types. If you don't like one of them, try another if it is available in your area. 

In places that don’t have on-site providers available, remote CART and TypeWell providers are available.”

"Typewell and C-Print, as I understand, both work with regular computer keyboards and proprietary software that's relatively inexpensive. Their training sessions involve teaching people to type words without vowels and to learn how to abbreviate common words with a few keystrokes. Most people graduate from the training in a month or two. The software then expands the abbreviations so that the words appear in regular English. Using this technique, people can write around 100-130 words per minute. The average rate of speech, however, is 180-200 words per minute, with some people getting up into the 240-260 range for short bursts. Obviously these services that use the regular computer keyboard can never get up into verbatim territory, so they advertise themselves as providing "meaning for meaning" rather than "word for word".

In my experience as a CART provider, I've sometimes noticed a radical increase in speed when I redefine a word that I formerly wrote in two strokes into a single stroke. Even so, when people suddenly rocket off into high speeds, I find myself occasionally paraphrasing and leaving out inessential words and phrases to keep up and get the important part of what's being said. Considering that everything written in Typewell or C-Print is at the very least two strokes, but more commonly three or four -- more for very complex technical words -- I'm quite skeptical that the entirety of "meanings" expressed in a given lecture can be conveyed by someone whose speed is nearly half that of a certified CART provider."

With voice to text services such as CaptionMic, the issue is usually not of verbatim versus non-verbatim, but of accuracy rates. It is possible to get to a very high degree of accuracy using voice recognition software, as long as the rate of speech stays below about 180 to 200 words per minute and the voice writer has spent many, many hours training their software and themselves to speak accurately and precisely, disambiguating all soundalike words and phrases."

Source:  http://www.alldeaf.com/threads/typewell-vs-cart-and-other-real-time-services.48691/

                 Access to the Word of God? 

 I kept researching and found that the lack of access is not just limited to the Catholic church but widespread in all churches and other houses of worships of many other faiths as well:  "As evidence, she cites a recent survey asking church leaders if they accommodate deaf or hard-of-hearing members. “Fifty-six percent said they don’t,” she says. "(Source: http://churchexecutive.com/archives/making-worship-accessible-to-everyone-By RaeAnn Slaybaugh)  

Does your church have Captioning, Sign Language and Audio Loops or Assistive Listening devices for those with hearing loss and deafness and recognizing the diversity of communication needs?  While half the churches accommodate, do they accommodate ALL those with hearing loss or only a segment of the hearing loss population? 

I wonder if churches realize when they say they serve the  deaf and hard of hearing that they are diverse?  Just having Sign language won't do it. Just having captioning won't do it either, or ALD's. All three need to be in place.   We are diverse. Some people use oral interpreters too, and you don't just get anyone either.  Oral  interpreters should be professionals, certified, and not borrowing the sign language interpreter to do this job too. 

"A student CART (captioning) reporter practicing at church says about those with hearing loss in church; "Sadly, I “hear” about this too often, in church and classrooms. Those sharing “how can I hear the word of God” are the consumers."  (Source:  http://monettebenoit.com/tag/communication-access-real-time-translation/-By Monette Benoit)

This is an interesting article how churches could provide better access for the deaf and hard of hearing:  

Losing My Religion? : http://origin.misc.pagesuite.com/pdfdownload/7c11713b-7af4-45b3-86b6-2026d9ce54e4.pdf

In the secular world, ADA laws helps to support Captioning as a valid equal communication access to those with hearing loss and deafness.  See http://www.nad.org/issues/technology/captioning/when-required. However, the church is exempt from ADA laws. Many people with hearing loss and deafness do not have access to God's word if it is not a hearing accessible church (whether they use Captioning, Sign Language or Audio Loops etc. ).  

Captioning is used by many. More people can
have access to the Word of God with real time captioning.

Who Are People with Hearing Loss, the deaf and hard of hearing at a Catholic Mass?

People with hearing loss and deafness are a diverse group of people with diverse communication needs.   There are many ways to provide adequate access such as Captioning, Audio Loops and Sign language, but not everyone can use all three of them - usually, and some prefer other means as well.   

If you are not sure what works for a person in terms of how they can actively, and fully participate at a Catholic Mass, you need to ASK them.  Do NOT assume we all fit into one box in terms of communication access or fit neatly into a stereotype.  There are many preconceived ideas and bias on what is 'effective' communication, or what the deaf and hard of hearing should use for communication access.  We are a very diverse group. 

 Please do NOT provide them so-called access alternatives when they have clearly articulated to you what WORKS for them. Diversity Awareness is needed on what accommodations those with hearing loss and deafness use in order to allow for full and active participation.  We need to move beyond 17 and 18th  century, and into 21st century technology like Live real time Captioning and Audio Induction Loops which are available in today's world to enhance communication with full, conscious, and active participation. 


Technology has  allowed those with hearing loss to fully and actively participate is available in today's world.  Many of us have embraced technology.  The secular world has become more and more accessible with technology, using them, and is rapidly growing due to mandated ADA and FCC laws, including the 2010 ADA revision defining what 'effective communication' is.

 Society as a whole has moved towards technology such as TVs, cell phones, microphones and sound systems, computers, iPads  and the internet with increased global and personal communication access for all.  Those with hearing loss and deafness are also embracing and moving towards technology, building bridges with increased communication access. 
Captioning (in its many forms like open captioning, closed captioning, real time live captioning, CART, voice over, softwares etc) is frequently used in the secular world of business, entertainment and education.  It is in high demand.


 Is your church including this technology too?   Sure, the church is ADA exempt but many people are missing out.  Real time live Captioning is a wonderful way to share the Joy of the Gospel to many with hearing loss and deafness, especially since the largest population of the deaf are the late deaf who typically do not use sign language. The hard of hearing can also benefit as well.  

Captioning (whether live real time captioning, open captioning, closed captioning) is a Universal Design Access which means it can offer benefits to the widest group of deaf and hard of hearing people and others too (auditory processing issues, seniors, learning disabilities, attention deficit etc).

Universal Design Access means more people can have access.  

Catholics With Hearing Loss Yahoo Forum Group

If you are Catholic with a hearing loss (mild to profound) and  interested in
discussing with others about how to make the Mass and other parts of church
life more accessible, along with supporting one another spiritually  - Subscribe at

cccatholic-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Group Description

Catholics with Hearing loss interested in having the Mass in CC (CART), audio induction loops and other accommodations, along with conferences and workshops and how to support accessibility in the church and one another.

    Which Parts of the Mass gets CART?

CART (captioning) at the Mass -- possible approaches:

1.  The provider types everything that he/she hears and indicates if it is the Priest, Lector,  Song leader, or Lay response. There will be a lag time delay like any interpreter or translation services. Time length of service is 1 hour.

2. The provider types the portions of the Mass that is not in the Missal (usually the Homily, Universal Prayers, Opening and Closing Announcements, and any customized blessings not in the Missal).  The client uses the Missal for other parts of the Mass, although provider might provide brief description clues like ‘Hymn #’ or letting someone know they are saying the St. Michael or Hail Mary prayer at the end of Mass etc.

3. Some people may benefit from more clues on where everyone is in the Missal than others (‘Glory to God…’ ‘Christ have Mercy’ ‘Profession of Faith’ ‘Our Father’ etc.)

"What does it mean for communication to be “effective”? Simply put, “effective communication” means that whatever is written or spoken must be as clear and understandable to people with disabilities as it is for people who do not have disabilities."

(Source: http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap3toolkit.htm)

Examples of Effective communication:   http://www.dartmouth.edu/~accessibility/effcomm/index.html

"Accessible meeting space allows

 everyone to participate." 

(Source: http://www.ada.gov/business/accessiblemtg.htm

Catholics With Hearing Loss Yahoo Forum Group

If you are Catholic with a hearing loss (mild to profound) and  interested in
discussing with others about how to make the Mass and other parts of church
life more accessible, along with supporting one another spiritually  - Subscribe at

cccatholic-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Group Description

Catholics with Hearing loss interested in having the Mass in CC (CART), audio induction loops and other accommodations, along with conferences and workshops and how to support accessibility in the church and one another.

                                                      Access for All

 "When designing a space or planning an event, we need to strive for universal access—so that all members of our communities can attend and participate. This means that, in addition to ramps and elevators, we need assistive listening technology like hearing loops and captions, and signage that makes it clear that the service is available. This is a goal that we can achieve, but in order to do so, we need to change the way we think about communication and hearing access. ”

(Source:  http://agewisekingcounty.org/en/134/1/661/Too-Many-People-with-Hearing-Loss-Miss-Out.htm#sthash.em7Uhug6.dLa2G9JJ.dpuf)

"However, in order to serve ALL deaf, hard of hearing, the hearing impaired or people with hearing loss (whichever terms you choose), all of these accessible solutions need to be provided, and the Deaf and hearing impaired should always be placed down front where they can use their eyes to see to hear and the audio amplifiers to be picked up by their assistive devices. Captions should be on the wall or a screen for those who need to read what is being said." 

 (Source:  http://limpingchicken.com/2014/01/16/deaf-discrimination-to-deaf/)

"What does it mean for communication to be “effective”? Simply put, “effective communication” means that whatever is written or spoken must be as clear and understandable to people with disabilities as it is for people who do not have disabilities."

(Source: http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap3toolkit.htm)

Effective communication:   http://www.dartmouth.edu/~accessibility/effcomm/index.html

"Accessible meeting space allows

 everyone to participate." 

(Source: http://www.ada.gov/business/accessiblemtg.htm

"The importance for people with any 

disability to interact 

in a standard setting rather than do it 

differently is 

critical," (Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/real-time-captions-helping-deaf-kids-realise-potential/story-e6freuzi-1226453656874 -ROSEMARIE LENTINI)

“Just as with wheelchair access issues, 

advocacy is paramount,” Kasper wrote. 

“Staying at home to avoid problems or 

pretending to understand when we don’t 

will not help us or future generations, and

 joining with others in a cause can be 

rewarding in itself.” (Source:  http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2011/04/17/hackensack-church-

offers-captioning-for-hearing-impaired/)

This is an interesting article how churches could provide better access for the deaf and hard of hearing:  

Losing My Religion? : http://origin.misc.pagesuite.com/pdfdownload/7c11713b-7af4-45b3-86b6-2026d9ce54e4.pdf

                  CART (Captioning) Tech 
                   Set Up's  for Church

Consider large screen where appropriate (depends on church and how it might impact visually). Advantage of large screen is that people who do not wish to disclose their issues (hearing impairment, processing issues, LD, ADD, 
   etc. ) can view it w/o feeling singled out,
    or they might not have a tablet, iPhone, or android device.

Use of iPad, iPhones, tablets and android devices have less visual impact in a church, are convenient, and font size can be adjusted to user. Wonderful for the visually impaired to customize it. Also useful for those who want a transcript/copy to review later (it’s already on the phone).

"What does it mean for communication to be “effective”? Simply put, “effective communication” means that whatever is written or spoken must be as clear and understandable to people with disabilities as it is for people who do not have disabilities."

(Source: http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap3toolkit.htm)

Examples of Effective communication:   http://www.dartmouth.edu/~accessibility/effcomm/index.html

"Accessible meeting space allows

 everyone to participate." 

(Source: http://www.ada.gov/business/accessiblemtg.htm