CART is the acronym for Communication Access Realtime Translation. CART is performed by a CART provider using a realtime translation system (a stenotype machine, notebook computer, and realtime translation software). This is the same machine shorthanded technology used by Texas Certified Shorthand Reporters in the courtroom and deposition settings.

• Persons with hearing loss
• Persons who are oral deaf and late-deafened
• Persons who are unable to take notes because of physical disabilities
• Persons who are learning English as a second language

It is difficult to take notes and follow a lecture if you are a person with hearing loss. While looking down to make a note, the student may miss what the instructor and/or other student say. With CART, the student can follow the class discussion in realtime by reading the text as it scrolls down the computer screen and is able to participate in the discussion. With permission from the educational institution, the student can save the text from the CART session and use it for later review.

• Business, government, and educational functions
• Religious services
• Senior citizen meetings
• Conventions and conference
• Doctor appointments
• Banking and investing transactions
• Wedding, funerals or other personal events

CART can also be provided from a remote access point through the internet when the CART provide is not located in the same area as the consumer or presenter. Remote CART works exactly like on-site CART, except the CART provider listens to the speaker by telephone or over the internet and writes the real time text to a website for viewing by the consumer.

While the consumer and speaker are typically in the same location, they do not have to be, as remote CART can be used just as well with the speaker, CART provider and consumer in three different locations (as is often the case with business phone calls). The three buildings could be as close as the same building or city, or as far apart as across the country. The consumer must have a computer connected the voice to the remote CART provider via voice over internet or telephone line.

Did you know that one out of nine Texans is deaf or hard of hearing? The majorities of persons with hearing loss do not know sign language and communicate in a variety of ways, often utilizing Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART). Many people with hearing loss find CART and remote CART to be the most effective method of communication in classrooms, courtrooms, workplaces, theaters, sporting arenas and many other venues. The Americans with Disabilities Act lists assistive technology, which includes CART, in its definition of auxiliary aids for persons with hearing loss.

Much like a sign language or foreign language interpreter, the CART provider is present to provide communication access for persons with hearing loss. In addition to displaying the spoken word, the CART Provider will also include environmental sounds and nuances of speech, i.e., [LAUGHTER], [BELL RINGING], enabling the consumer to experience everything that is happening just as a hearing individual would. If a question is asked of the CART consumer, whether in the classroom, courtroom or other meeting, the CART consumer can read the question on the screen and then reply in his/her own voice, allowing for full participation.