STSN - Resources for Consumers

An information resource for consumers, service providers, and administrators in the speech-to-text community, promoting high-quality services and continuing education.

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Resources for Consumers

Kinds of speech-to-text services (STSs)

Differences and similarities among services

The law and speech-to-text services

Deciding if you need/want speech-to-text services

Interpreter? Speech-to-text service? Both?

Choosing among speech-to-text services

Confidentiality and professionalism of service providers

Kinds of speech-to-text services

All speech-to-text services have the same goal: to quickly translate auditory information into text, to be read on a computer, or other display device. This text thus provides access to verbal communication and auditory information for individuals who cannot hear.

There are three broad categories of speech-to-text services: CART, Text Interpreting (i.e., C-Print and TypeWell), and Automatic Speech Recognition systems (ASR). See the Services Chart for details about each of these.

Service differences and similarities

From the consumer's viewpoint there are primarily 3 factors of interest in all speech-to-text services:

1) verbatim-ness = percentage of exact words spoken presented in text; word-for-word

2) accuracy of content = percentage of ideas expressed by speaker that are clearly and accurately shown in the text

3) quantity of words to read = this is related to verbatim-ness, as the higher the verbatimness, the more words of text

This table analyzes these 3 factors for each kind of service, when used for communication access (i.e., without extensive note editing).

Service Type	Verbatim-ness	Accuracy of Content	Quantity of words to read
CART	High	High	~ 15 - 20 pages / hour class
Text Interpreting TypeWell or C-Print	High to medium	High	~6 - 10 pages / hour class
Automatic Speech Recognition mic on instructor or mic on Shadower	High	Medium	~ 15 - 20 pages / hour class

Legal Aspects of Speech-to-Text Services

The right to communication access is guaranteed by several federal and state laws. These include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This access can be provided by sign a sign language interpreter, or by a speech-to-text service provider. The U.S. Department of Justice's interpretive guidance that accompanies the Title II Regulation of ADA explicitly adds "notetakers" and "computer-aided transcription services" to the list of auxiliary aids and services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

You can read details of the federal laws related to communication access and transcribing at these links: ADA, Section 504, IDEA

Deciding if you need/want a speech to text service

If you have difficulty hearing and/or understanding auditory information in classes or meetings, a speech-to-text support service (STSS) may help you. Whether or not you use sign language, you may want to consider using a STSS, such as CART, Text Interpreting, or an Automatic Speech Recognition device or service.

Another consideration is your reading skill. You should be able to read and understand English comfortably, with at least a 4th grade reading level.

Interpreter? Speech-to-text service? Both?

If you know sign language, you may have to decide if you want an interpreter for a particular class, or a speech-to-text service. Most schools do not provide both services to the same student in one class. When making the decision to use the services of an interpreter or a speech-to-text service provider, discuss the variables with the support services coordinator at your school or work. Here are some questions to consider:

Do you understand sign language well enough to comprehend the anticipated level of the class content?

Will the class have extensive new vocabulary, or other aspects that you may want to learn through permanent text, rather than via fingerspelling or sign?

Are your reading skills adquate for learning quickly from text input?

Are you comfortable using detailed class notes when you study?

Have you used a speech-to-text service in the past? Did you learn well with it? Did you have problems with it?

If you do not voice for yourself, are you willing to type your questions/comments for the speech-to-text service provider to voice for you?

Are you willing to try another kind of service for a trial period?

Choosing a speech-to-text service

The choice of which speech-to-text service to use can be guided by these issues:

1) verbatim-ness of the transcript
2) quantity of words you'd like to read
3) accuracy of content you need; can you understand the meaning of a transcript that has 10 - 30% word choice errors
4) what is available at your school or work site?

Confidentiality and professional behavior of service provider

You have the right to expect the same kind of professional behavior from a speech to-text service provider as you from an interpreter or counselor. That is, the service provider must abide by a Code of Ethics, observe confidentiality, and act in a professional way at all times. For further information about expected professional behaviors, see Codes of Ethics.

Information provided on the STSN.org website is for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any product or service.