onsite real-time captions at events

electronic notetaking onsite

 
Live Captioning

If you have a hearing loss and struggle to follow discussions in business, education, conference or medical situations, you may benefit from Live Captioning (Electronic Notetaking) services.  


Live Captioning provides real-time access to speech instantly displayed as scrolling text on a secondary device.  Where only one person requires the service, the captioner supplies two laptops - one for the captioner and one for the client to read from (photo 1). Bluetooth networking allows the client to sit anywhere in the room.  Alternatively, text can be streamed to a mobile phone or tablet. 


           Co-working to provide remote and onsite live captions at DaDaFest 2023

Women presenting on stage with captions on plasma screen to  the side.
A detailed summary of all verbal communication is recorded by the captioner using computer shorthand to increase speeds (around 150wpm). Dedicated software then translates this into full English and delivers the text to the client's screen, enabling them to read the subtitles and follow proceedings in real-time.  

An unedited version of the transcript can be saved by the client immediately.  Alternatively, the captioner will proofread/spellcheck the transcript and email it to the. client within 48 hours.
Delegates at conference watching captions on plasma screens.
Woman at lecturn in front of large projection with overlaid captions.
At conferences, the text can be projected onto a plasma/overhead screen for large audiences (Photos 1 and 3) A projector and screen is also available for hire. Another option is to overlay three lines of text at the bottom or top of the Powerpoint or the main presentation slides (photo 4).  

The benefits of this system are:
  • only one projector required
  • useful for situations with limited wall space for projection
  • clients can read the subtitles AND watch the presentation at the same time, rather than having to glance between two different screens

The service also includes the following features:
  • individual speakers identified by name
  • customisable screen appearance (typeface, font size/colour & background colour)
  • environmental sounds - {laughter}, {applause}
  • Captions can be provided in English AND simultaneous automated translation in multiple languages

An example transcript from one of my assignments is available here.
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