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The following information on came from Henry and Elsa Ellis, who live in Florida. Credit for the idea of the pre-service briefing was given to them by Ken Lewis from Punta Gorda, Florida.
For members of the Deaf culture and some late-deafened people, communication takes place through the use of American Sign Language (ASL) or signed English. But what if sign language is not an option? For most people who are hard of hearing or late-deafened, using the written word to augment or replace the spoken word is the answer. It is not as hard as it may first seem. A little thought, some basic equipment and voila! communication happens!
The simplest, least-costly method is to employ two transcribers, large felt pens and a supply of newsprint paper. The two transcribers take turns at writing the essence of a talk or discussion on the sheet of newsprint. Each filled sheet is posted around the meeting room for follow-up reference.
Computer technology provides several methods by which the spoken words can become written words. Four of these methods are described in more detail below. Basically each employs a computer (either desktop or laptop model), word processing or specialized software and projection hardware that facilitates displays on another computer, TV set or projection on a movie screen or blank wall, all for the benefit of those who hear poorly or not at all.
Efficiency is heightened in that some of what will be said in a worship service, class, general or committee meeting, etc., can be entered beforehand as files in the computer, and scrolled for viewing at the proper time. Examples are liturgies, Scripture, hymns, anthems, prayers, sermons, agendas, outlines, etc. At the same time, the technology allows a transcriber to insert words in "real time," i.e., as they are spoken by a preacher, teacher, speaker or from the group. An additional benefit is that the entire proceedings can then be printed for the use of those who cannot take notes while keeping their eyes on the displayed words.
A pronounced drawback for a number of persons relying on computer-assisted notetaking technologies is that it can be exhausting. Few of us can read at the speed of the spoken word, and some of what is being transcribed may not get viewed before the computer page scrolls down.
Some United Methodists in Florida have come up with a helpful suggestion: hold a beforehand briefing session. The idea comes from ASL translators. Since church language, theological and liturgical terms and the like can be difficult to translate in an understandable way, the translators and those using their service meet prior to the morning worship service (for instance, during Sunday school). Utilizing the preacher's sermon manuscripts (or notes), the Order of Worship, or other relevant materials, the translator looks for unfamiliar words, outlines the flow of the service or event, and provides whatever background information may be of use. Persons relying on signing give feedback as to what sign communicates best, and ask for clarification as needed. The result is that having been "prepped," the recipients of signing are better able to comprehend the flow and content of the worship service or event.
This briefing practice can be useful for churches using one or another of the notetaking media. Meeting beforehand, the hard of hearing and late-deafened people anticipate and quickly recognize words and meanings that are written by the notetaking computer operator.
The information about CAN is taken from a leaflet prepared for the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Authors of the leaflet are Holly Elliott and Dr. Laurel Glass.
What is CAN?
It's "Computer-Assisted Notetaking" for persons with hearing problems who do NOT use either American Sign Language (ASL) or Signed English. It's a portable system that can be set up for Sunday morning worship services, other church meetings, classes and other activities.
How does it operate?
Basic "equipment" is a cooperative pastor, a helpful church secretary, dependable volunteer computer operators plus a congregation willing to forgive glitches and computer errors and love us anyway as the program is set up and operated.
What computer technologies are needed?
1. A laptop computer or desktop computer (with a QUIET keyboard) using a standard word processing program, either an IBM-compatible personal computer (PC) or an Apple "Mac" computer may be used.
2. Since a TV can be used for a wide variety of activities in the church, we recommend buying a TV set on a wheeled cart for transporting to any room in the church. Also recommended is a scan converter which allows you to connect the computer VGA/SVGA/XGA output through a small adapter box and appropriate wires to the video input of the TV. (Component can be purchased from a computer store.)
3. A digital projector with a remote control. An example is the InFocus lightweight portable digital projector manufactured by CompView (1-800-440-8439). Cost for a digital projector may range from $4,000 to $6,000. The digital projector allows projection of an image directly from the computer to the TV monitor and/or to a large (8' x 8') manual or electrically retractable movie screen, or on a blank wall. In a worship or lecture setting, the ideal location of the projected image is to one side of the pulpit or lectern.
What else can computer technologies do?
Videotapes from a VCR and still slides can also be projected through the digital unit. The digital projector allows flexibility of size and focus of whatever images you choose to use. With CAN and any other means of providing a view of the spoken words hearing is enhanced. Testimony abounds stating people will understand as never before what is being said in worship services and other church-provided events.
TIP: Computer Technology is also great for communicating one-on-one! Sit so you can see the screen, and type as little or as much as needed to communicate. Works great in noisy settings too just as useful on a home visit or during a potluck as in the sanctuary during a sermon. A great way to communicate with those whose hearing problems isolate them in so many ways. |
C-Printtm is a computer-aided speech-to-print transcription system developed at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) as a support service option for some students who are deaf and hard of hearing in mainstream educational environments. Research supports the idea that some people who are deaf and hard of hearing prefer printed text of presentations over sign language interpreters or notetakers as a means of acquiring information. Such a system has great potential for usefulness in church settings such as worship, meetings, classes, and other events. Click here to read more about C-Printtm (link opens in a new window).
For more information:
Contact Pam Francis, C-Print Training Coordinator
Telephone: 716-475-6019 (voice/TTY)
E-mail: GGNCP@rit.edu
Website: http://netac.rit.edu/ (link opens in a new window).
Based on the Ephphatha Newsletter, July/Aug/Sept. 1998 and Oct./Nov./Dec. 1998; software information has been updated and source information has been added.
One way to do real-time captioning is with speech recognition software. The person who does the speaking will need to work with the software program so the PC recognizes/understands his/her voice. If the captioning will be used in church, the software training must take place in the church setting. For a Bible class, the training needs to accustom the software to the acoustics of the classroom. With regular use and training, a high level of speech recognition accuracy can be achieved.
The liturgy and hymns need to be typed on the computer before the church service. A computer operator needs to scroll down, displaying these words on the TV screen, until the pastor offers extemporaneous prayers or preaches the sermon. Then the computer operator turns on the microphone so the speech- recognition software does the dictating. When the pastor is finished, the microphone is turned off and the computer scrolls down until the microphone needs to be turned on again. Organ music interferes with the speech-recognition program, so it cannot be used for singing; however, the words of hymns and anthems or solos could be typed in beforehand, and scrolled on screen by the operator.
In a Bible class or group setting, the speaker needs to repeat questions, answers, and comments from other participants because the software will not recognize their voices or words.
Equipment needed:
1. At least a Pentium 133 MHz processor
2. Windows 95 or 98
3. Standard 16 bit sound card or built-in audio system
4. 60 MB free hard disk space, plus additional space
5. 32 MB Ram
6. A high quality microphone for the PC
7. Speech recognition software
See also: Hearing Access In Houses Of Worship by Steve Unger, B.A.Sc., http://www.alds.com/AN011.htm (link opens in a new window).
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Please Remember: These articles are for your information only and this material was compiled in 2001 (some updates to the web version were added in 2002). All prices and other time sensitive information are subject to change. |
