PROPOSAL FOR PROVIDING CART SERVICES

Prepared for Linda Watson, Student Services Rochester Community and Technical College

by

February 2, 2009

February 2, 2009

Dear Ms. Watson: In response to your January 20, 2009, inquiry and our telephone conversation the following day, I have enclosed a proposal for your review regarding the CART services offered by our firm. You will find the following information and material in this report: y y y y Explanation of services Benefits of CART Qualifications and experience Cost

Thank you for your inquiry and for your interest in the services we have to offer. We look forward to working with you and will give you a call within two weeks to answer any further questions you might have. Sincerely,

Court Reporter Enclosure: Proposal

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT.. 4 1.0 INTRODUCTION..5 1.1 Purpose5 1.2 Problems. 5 1.2.1 Translation. 5 1.2.2 Shortage of ASL Interpreters. 5 1.2.3 Distraction..5 2.0 DISCUSSION.6 2.1 CART Writing in an Educational Setting... 6 2.2 Explanation of CART Writing 6 2.3 Qualifications and Experience7 2.4 Cost.7 3.0 CONCLUSION...8 3.1 Major Concern.8 3.2 Recommendation.8 4.0 GLOSSARY9

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1. Table 1. Stenography Machine.3 Regular Price vs. Special Offer Price for CART Services.3

ABSTRACT Because American Sign Language (ASL) conveys ideas and general content of the spoken word, not necessarily the exact words, it is not always an ideal method of communication in an educational setting for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Additionally, it has long been a problem that there is a shortage of ASL interpreters. Our Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) writers offer an instant translation of the exact words that are spoken by the classroom instructors, as well as any students who may interject a comment or a question. Student who take advantage of our CART writing services often tell us how they feel like much more active participants in the classroom, as well as feeling like theyre less of a distraction to the teacher or their fellow students.

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 PURPOSE This is a proposal to provide Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART)* writing services to Rochester and Community Technical College for use by their deaf and hard-of-hearing clientele. This bid for services includes an offer for a free demonstration of our services, as well as one hour a week of donated time, provided that you purchase at least ten hours a week of our services. 1.2 PROBLEMS 1.2.1 Translation Because American Sign Language (ASL)* conveys ideas or general content rather than exact words, it can sometimes be difficult for interpreters to come up with the right technical terminology in an educational setting. 1.2.2 Shortage of ASL Interpreters A lot of the clients we talk to seem to indicate that there is a shortage of ASL interpreters and that it can be inconvenient and troublesome to find someone that you can rely on to cover your entire class schedule. 1.2.3 Distraction ASL interpreters tend to be a distraction for the classroom instructor as well as the rest of the students in the class.

Comment [drd1]: You have 2 spaces here

This and subsequent terms marked by an asterisk (*) are defined in the glossary. 2.0 DISCUSSION 2.1 CART WRITING IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING Cradic Reporting Services, a leader in professionalism and quality in our industry, believes that no student should miss out on the opportunity for education in whatever field they choose. Because they have been trained to write phonetically, our CART writers are capable of sounding out any word in the English language, whereas ASL interpreters might stumble upon words or expressions that they are unable to accurately convey. One student puts it this way: [I]t can be difficult to adapt to the terminology in law school because lawyers deal with subtle differences in phrasing that ASL cannot capture. (Pearson, 2008) And the same student also explains: As a law student, it is crucial that you learn how to express yourself as a lawyer. CART gives you a better feel of how to articulate your ideas. Before law school, I would never use the word distinguish or reconcile or even adjudicate but now, I feel confident handling these words because I have seen it in play. (Pearson, 2008) In addition to being able to write the exact spoken words, CART writers are less of a distraction for the professor and students in the classroom, helping the deaf and hard-ofhearing student to blend in and feel less conspicuous. With our wireless equipment, our writers can position themselves anywhere in the classroom, whether it is right next to the student or closer to the front of the classroom. And since so many students carry laptops to classes with them these days, the deaf students CART laptop blends right in with those around him or her. 2.2 EXPLANATION OF CART WRITING Communication Access Realtime Translation happens when a CART provider writes on their stenography machine in a form of computer shorthand. The shorthand is then automatically translated into English by their electronic dictionary and appears on a laptop screen in front of the student. CART providers generally possess degrees in court reporting (which requires essentially the same skill) and often have state or national certifications in addition to their degrees.

Comment [drd2]: APA formatting suggests: Capture (Pearson, 2008).

Figure 1

Stenograph Machine

2.3 QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE All CART writers within our firm possess court reporting/closed captioning degrees as well as national certifications. We also require several years of experience with CART in the educational field, in addition to continuing education on an annual basis. We have several specialty areas as well. For instance, if you are a medical student, we have writers who are skilled in medical terminology, and if you are a law student, we have students who specialize in legal terminology. 2.4 COST Cradic Reporting offers very reasonable pricing for educational facilities at just $60 per hour. This cost includes the electronic transcript, which the student is free to use as they wish. Additionally, we are prepared to offer Rochester Community and Technical College and your students a free demonstration of our services. We also will donate a free hour of CART per week for every ten hours purchased per week. The table below shows the savings you would get if you take advantage of our special offer. Table 1 List Price $60 Special Offer $60 REGULAR PRICE VS. SPECIAL OFFER PRICE Quantity of Hours 22 22 Total Cost $1,320 $1,200

3.0 CONCLUSION 3.1 MAJOR CONCERN Specialized education demands a more precise interpretation of translation than ASL is able to offer. 3.2 RECOMMENDATION To provide communication to your students through word-for-word translation of the English language, we recommend the use of our CART writing services.

4.0 GLOSSARY Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) Language converted into text on a computer screen through the use of writing shorthand on a stenograph machine

LIST OF ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS CART ASL Communication Access Realtime Translation American Sign Language

REFERENCES Captions Unlimited of Nevada, Inc. (n.d.). Photos. Retrieved February 2, 2009, from the World Wide Web: http://www.captionsunlimited.com/photos.html Pearson, C. (February 21, 2008). ASL Interpreters vs. CART. Anonymous Deaf Law Student. Retrieved February 2, 2009, from the World Wide Web: http://deaflaw.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/asl-interpreters-vs-cart/

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