A Checklist for CART Reporters

By Gayl Hardeman

Are you ready to work as a communication access realtime translation provider? Here are some of the skills you need to function effectively in this environment.
Yes	No
		Write realtime at 99 percent accuracy on 180 wpm literary. Minimum.
		Have no conflicts.
		Have prefixes and suffixes defined in main dictionary.
		Can quickly spell out words not in dictionary.
		Can paraphrase in realtime.
		Know the differences among deaf, late-deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers' needs. Have great respect for sign language interpreters and know we do not take their place. Rather, we work with them.
		Know the common acronyms and lingo of the Americans with Disabilities Act, human services, ear anatomy and communication devices.
		Know at least some conversational sign language, like Thank you, Fine, OK, My name is ..., break, bathroom, teacher, student, class, e-mail, disk, Can you read this? How, where, when, why, who, what?
		Know the ethics governing CART reporters, respecting the confidentiality of the consumer's business and whereabouts; how to be in the role of interpreter and not a participant.
		Have text-enlargement software and a separate CART computer directory with fewer characters per line so that when the text is enlarged and scroll lock is hit, the text remains on the screen and doesn't roll off.
		Have the phonetics table modified to your writing style and invoked so that the consumer can read English rather than steno. Keep the steno keys adjusted so that what you hit is what you get.
		Have a hookup to projection equipment and know your computer's method of displaying via LCD to projector/screen and TV monitor. Have or know someone who has a video or LCD projector. Have a tray table, tripod and extension cord.
		Have outlines/tokens for: PROFESSOR: STUDENT: NARRATOR: AUDIENCE MEMBER: MAN: WOMAN: CHILD: (APPLAUSE) (LAUGHTER) (INAUDIBLE) (PHONE RINGING) (SIREN SOUND)
		Can quickly prepare job dictionary and add defines in realtime.
		Have a backup reporter for CART jobs; have a backup copy of your job dictionary.
		Have in place clearly written and agreed-on billing, payment and confidentiality-of-disk arrangements before performing the CART work.
		Keep striving for the CRR!
		Most of all, love being a professional CART reporter!