Hearing-impaired lack classroom resources
More transcribers needed
Lindsey Pruitt
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: News
Howell said he is captive to that struggle, but the CEA cannot offer alternatives because of the lack of transcribers.
"It is also noteworthy that, when my transcriber is sick or kept at home by inclement weather, I must attend class and hear nothing," he said.?
"I often must give up other things to spend the night trying to learn from a textbook or notes what usually can be grasped quickly in a lecture," Howell said. ??
There are currently four trained transcribers on campus, Jannarone said. ??
"After a deaf or hard-of-hearing student schedules their classes for an upcoming semester, we contact the transcribers we have trained and assign them based on their availability to cover the classes at the times needed," she said.
Although most students' courses are covered on a regular basis, Jannarone noted that this semester more transcribers are needed for when some become ill or are unable to get to campus because of poor weather conditions.
The CEA will be advertising for people who might be interested in a transcribing job next fall beginning March 24. ?? ?
"There are several requirements involved including a minimum typing speed, and they must successfully complete an extensive online training program, but we pay them while they are going through the training," Jannarone said.??
During the training phase, transcribers are paid $8.50 an hour, and they make $16 an hour when they actually begin transcribing for students in the classroom, she said.
The CEA uses a software product and training program through a company called Typewell. ??
"It is not exactly word-for-word but pretty close, and certainly the meaning of what is being said can be accurately conveyed using this method," Jannarone said. ?
"More transcribers would help the deaf and hard-of-hearing students get the access they need, as well as offer alternatives to those held captive to their struggles," Howell said.
"It also helps the transcribers themselves - they develop their already unbelievable listening and typing skills," Howell said. "For communication, communication disorders, and communications students, this is an effective tool to their respective careers," Howell said. ?
And for students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and don't know American Sign Language, transcription is one of the only ways verbally presented information can be shared with the student, Jannarone said.
"It is vital to their success in the classroom," she said.
"It is also noteworthy that, when my transcriber is sick or kept at home by inclement weather, I must attend class and hear nothing," he said.?
"I often must give up other things to spend the night trying to learn from a textbook or notes what usually can be grasped quickly in a lecture," Howell said. ??
There are currently four trained transcribers on campus, Jannarone said. ??
"After a deaf or hard-of-hearing student schedules their classes for an upcoming semester, we contact the transcribers we have trained and assign them based on their availability to cover the classes at the times needed," she said.
Although most students' courses are covered on a regular basis, Jannarone noted that this semester more transcribers are needed for when some become ill or are unable to get to campus because of poor weather conditions.
The CEA will be advertising for people who might be interested in a transcribing job next fall beginning March 24. ?? ?
"There are several requirements involved including a minimum typing speed, and they must successfully complete an extensive online training program, but we pay them while they are going through the training," Jannarone said.??
During the training phase, transcribers are paid $8.50 an hour, and they make $16 an hour when they actually begin transcribing for students in the classroom, she said.
The CEA uses a software product and training program through a company called Typewell. ??
"It is not exactly word-for-word but pretty close, and certainly the meaning of what is being said can be accurately conveyed using this method," Jannarone said. ?
"More transcribers would help the deaf and hard-of-hearing students get the access they need, as well as offer alternatives to those held captive to their struggles," Howell said.
"It also helps the transcribers themselves - they develop their already unbelievable listening and typing skills," Howell said. "For communication, communication disorders, and communications students, this is an effective tool to their respective careers," Howell said. ?
And for students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and don't know American Sign Language, transcription is one of the only ways verbally presented information can be shared with the student, Jannarone said.
"It is vital to their success in the classroom," she said.
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