The work of a speech-to-text service provider (STSP):

A STSP provides access to communication for people who can not hear or cannot otherwise access speech directly themselves.  The communication access can be provided 'as it happens' (aka "in real-time"), or it can be provided as captions on pre-recorded material (such as recorded videos, movies, etc.). 

The STSP provides this communication access by listening to what is said by instructors and other speakers, and then re-presenting what is heard as text for a person to read on a computer screen or other viewing device.  A STSP may also provide a permanent copy of that text after the class or meeting, such as notes for review and study.

STSPs usually are in the same room with the speaker (e.g., teacher), the consumer (e.g., student).  However, sometimes one or more of these people are in a different, sometimes far away, physical location.  See Remote Services for more details.

STSPs who provide communication access and notes services generally work in schools, vocational agencies, and work places - wherever deaf or hard of hearing people need immediate text access to the communication around them.  Usual settings where communication access is provided include:  schools (from 5th grade to graduate level), work sites (for meetings, training, etc.), social agencies (for job training, employment counseling, etc.).  Sometimes, STSPs provide communication access in church services, at medical appointments, and for extra-curricular school events. 

STSPs who provide text access on pre-recorded videos and movies do not work directly with deaf and hard of hearing consumers.  Rather, they work with video viewing equipment and captioning equipment.  The output of their work is viewed by the consumers at a later time.


Kinds of STSP systems

STSPs use different systems to convert speech into text.  Each system requires different training and procedures.  There are three broad types of systems, and each requires somewhat different actions by the speech-to-text service provider.  The three types of systems are:

1) CART (Communication Access in Real Time) - the service provider types on a court stenography machine;
2) Text Interpreting -the service provider types on a laptop computer with specialized abbreviation and speed typing software;
3) ASR Shadowers (Automatic Speech Recognition Shadowers) - the service provider repeats what a speaker (e.g., instructor) has just said, while speaking into a microphone attached to a computer with specialized automatic speech recognition software.  This is called 'Shadow ASR'.

For more details about each kind of system, see the Services Table


Job Outlook for STSPs

There is a growing demand for speech-to-text service providers in the United States.  One of the major causes of this demand is a major federal law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  This law guarantees all Americans access to facilities and services.  Thus, if a person who can hear is able to have access to a college lecture, work presentation, or other auditory service, that service must also be accessible to a person who cannot hear.  A major way to provide this communication access to all Americans is with speech-to-text services.  There are other federal and state laws that mandate communication access.

Another major cause of the growing demand for speech-to-text service providers is the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  This federal legislation mandates that all audio-video materials used in education or entertainment must be captioned.  The process of putting captions on video materials begins with a verbatim copy of the audio.  Speech-to-text service providers can produce these verbatim texts more quickly than traditional typists.  STSPs are thus in demand to meet the captioning requirements of this law. 

Preparation to be a Speech-to-text Service Provider (STSP)

As described above, the three broad categories of STSPs are CART writers, Text Interpreters, and ASR Shadowers.  The training time and cost for each of these differ significantly.

1) Stenographic CART writers go to court reporting school for 2 - 4 years to develop the necessary phonetic analysis and speed skills needed to produce verbatim transcripts in real-time.   Most CART writers purchase their own stenographic equipment and software.  For information about training to become a CART writer, visit the National Court Reporters Association website.


2)  Text interpreters complete training in either of two proprietary programs, C-Print or TypeWell.  The training takes between 40 and 100 hours, depending on the system used.  See C-Print and TypeWell for details.


3)  ASR Shadowers require training in optimal speaking for optimizing ASR word analysis accuracy.  See these links for information about such training: 

Being an employee or an independent contractor

A speech-to-text service provider can either be a direct employee of the school or business at which he or she provides communication access services or, the STSP can be an employee of a free-lance agency which contracts with schools and business; or the STSP can be an independent contractor, and provide services on a contractual basis with the school or business. 

CART writers are most often independent contractors or employees of a free-lance agency.  Text interpreters are often direct employees of a school or business.  An increasing number of text interpreters are independent contractors. This table summarizes important features of each of these employment types.  (ASR Shadowers are not yet commonly used as communication access service providers, and thus a usual pay scales are not yet set.)

Finding places that want to hire an STSP

You can locate potential employers or work sites by checking traditional local job listings.  Schools and businesses seeking STSP services may advertise in the local paper, with employment agencies, or online.  In the future, the STSN.org website will have a Job Listing.  You can also contact the special student services departments at area high schools and colleges, to ask if they may need a STSP.  You should be prepared to explain what speech-to-text services are, as this is a relatively new kind of support service. 

Getting started

For information about becoming a CART writer, visit the National Court Reporters Association website at  www.ncraonline.com   Note: Clicking on this link will take you away from the STSN website.  Bookmark this page to return here, if wish.

For information about becoming a C-Print captionist, visit the C-Print website at www.ntid.rit.edu/cprint   Note: Clicking on this link will take you away from the STSN website.  Bookmark this page to return here, if wish.

For information about becoming a TypeWell transcriber, visit the TypeWell website at www.typewell.com     Note: Clicking on this link will take you away from the STSN website.  Bookmark this page to return here, if wish.


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