| Transcripts for the Hearing Impaired | | | | often offer video conferencing services which would |
| If an organization has hearing impaired employees, | | | | allow the remote worker to watch the event over |
| the usual solution for a company conference or | | | | streaming web video. |
| business meeting is to provide a sign language | | | | Workers don't need to be disabled to benefit from |
| interpreter. However the problem with this is that not | | | | court reporting. Transcription services allow other |
| all hearing impaired people are fully deaf so not all of | | | | telecommuters to be included in company meetings, |
| them know sign language. Many workers may simply | | | | making them feel like the valuable members of the |
| have trouble hearing a distant speaker, distinguishing | | | | team they are. |
| sound in a noisy environment, or any one of a | | | | Additional Benefits |
| number of other hearing impairments. | | | | In addition to improving accessibility, transcriptions |
| Instead, some companies are turning to court | | | | add value to any company event. The transcripts |
| reporting agencies to provide realtime transcripts for | | | | they produce are accurate records of any |
| the benefit of hearing impaired attendees. These | | | | statements made. While a gathering might have a |
| transcripts can be displayed on a large screen behind | | | | secretary who keeps the minutes of the meeting, |
| the speaker at a conference to be viewed by the | | | | should this document end up being challenged it |
| entire audience, or on an individual computer screen | | | | doesn't carry much weight. Transcripts produced by |
| for smaller functions such as a department meeting. | | | | court reporters are certified records of the event |
| Including Homebound Employees | | | | designed to stand up in court. |
| Although the hearing impaired community is the most | | | | An accurate written record of the proceedings might |
| obvious group helped by court reporting, there are | | | | not be necessary when planning the company |
| other disabilities which may provide accessibility | | | | Christmas party, but there are many situations that |
| challenges. Some workers may be working from | | | | would profit from having accurate records on file. |
| home due to psychological conditions such as | | | | They eliminate confusion over just what was said |
| agoraphobia or physical limitations which prevent | | | | and can protect the company in court. In today's |
| them from working in a traditional office setting. | | | | increasingly litigious society many organizations have |
| Transcripts can be transmitted over the internet so | | | | found professional documentation of crucial company |
| the homebound worker is able to observe and | | | | discussions to be a valuable asset. |
| participate in the meeting. Court reporting agencies | | | | |