CART Services (Real-Time Captioning)
Professional real-time captioning for meetings, classes, conferences, and events. Communication access through live speech-to-text for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
What is CART?
CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) is a service that converts spoken words into text in real time. A trained captioner uses specialized equipment to transcribe speech as it happens, displaying the text on a screen, laptop, or mobile device for the reader to follow along.
CART is also known as real-time captioning, live captioning, or speech-to-text services. It provides communication access for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who benefit from reading text alongside audio.
- ✓ Word-for-word transcription as speech happens
- ✓ Displayed on screen, laptop, tablet, or projected
- ✓ Available on-site or remotely
- ✓ Transcript can be provided after the session
- ✓ Works for any spoken language content
Who Benefits from CART?
CART provides communication access for a variety of individuals and situations.
Hard of Hearing
People with hearing loss who use spoken English as their primary language
Late-Deafened Adults
Individuals who lost hearing later in life and may not use sign language
Deaf Non-ASL Users
Deaf individuals who prefer English text over sign language interpretation
Non-Native Speakers
People who benefit from seeing written text alongside spoken English
When to Use CART Services
CART is used in educational, workplace, and event settings.
Classroom Instruction
College lectures, K-12 classes, and educational programs where students need real-time text access.
Workplace Meetings
Staff meetings, trainings, presentations, and all-hands where employees need captioning access.
Conferences & Events
Keynotes, workshops, panels, and large gatherings with projected captions for accessibility.
Legal Proceedings
Court hearings, depositions, and legal meetings where accurate text record is needed.
Medical Appointments
Healthcare consultations for patients who prefer reading over sign language.
Webinars & Virtual Events
Remote CART for online meetings, webinars, and virtual conferences.
CART vs Sign Language Interpreting
Both provide communication access, but they serve different needs.
| Feature | CART | Sign Language Interpreting |
|---|---|---|
| Output | Written English text | Visual sign language |
| Best for | ✅ English readers, hard of hearing, late-deafened | ✅ ASL users, Deaf community |
| Verbatim accuracy | ✅ Word-for-word transcription | Meaning-based interpretation |
| Written record | ✅ Transcript available after | No written record |
| Visual attention | Reader can look at speaker | ✅ Must watch interpreter |
| Equipment | Screen/device to display text | Clear sightline to interpreter |
Many events provide both CART and ASL interpreting to accommodate different preferences.
On-Site vs Remote CART
We offer both on-site and remote CART services depending on your needs and setup.
On-Site CART: The captioner is physically present at your location. Best for in-person events, classrooms, and settings where the captioner benefits from being in the room.
Remote CART: The captioner works from a remote location, receiving audio through a phone line or internet feed and streaming captions to your device or screen. Ideal for virtual meetings, webinars, and situations where on-site isn’t necessary.
- ✓ On-site available in MD, DC, VA region
- ✓ Remote CART available anywhere
- ✓ Same high-quality captioning either way
Need Real-Time Captioning?
Contact us to discuss CART services for your class, meeting, event, or workplace.
Request CART ServicesMake Your Event Accessible with CART
Provide real-time captioning for deaf and hard of hearing participants. Request a quote today.