She’s the CARTographer; She Does CARTography!
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Arriving home Christmas evening, we received the call that a friend’s father had died. “The wake is tomorrow. Could you attend?” While my family checked funeral attire, I pulled the obituary for specifics. I had first met the deceased gentleman and family 25 years ago.
The next evening, we walked into the crowded funeral parlor. The main lobby split off into a separate room, which then extended to a smaller room. Immediate family members and the casket were in this smallest room.
We were hugged by people we had not seen in a long time. People approached saying, “Hey, I know you.” I giggled each time. I spoke to an “ex” who attended; we caught up on events, families. Soon the “ex” said, “I really should be going – you know.” I giggled. Yes, I knew.
The man who died had a wonderful family. His 92-year old mother was in the smallest room with his widow, children, grandchildren, friends and co-workers. People approached to view photographs, then spoke to the family to say good-bye before departing the wake. Alone for a moment, I sat in the chair by the door. (As court reporters we are trained to be master observers.)
Multiple mini-groups gathered. People were consoling family, politely bumping into others within this smallest room. Men and women held hands and offered tissues. My husband spoke to a small group. I saw a woman gesture –– and then stop her gesture with her other arm. I smiled. (My February 2007 column “CART, Signs and The Library,” describes a typical day in my world.) She looked familiar. I hoped I was not staring.
My husband called me over, and I stepped forward in one step. After introductions I said softly, “It’s been a while; I believe we know each other.” She laughed; again I saw a hand and wrist gesture.
I asked, “Are you a sign interpreter?” As we stood together, she turned her head. And when she turned, I saw her profile –– at the same angle I remember as I CARTed her work and projected realtime voiced text to large screens. We had worked multiple large events together.
I softly asked, “You’re the sign interpreter who drove the crappy car and lived in the country, aren’t you?”
She shrieked, “YES! I can’t believe you remember that! I did drive a crappy car. You’re the CARTographer!” She launched into my lungs; she threw herself at me in a long-lost friendship hug. She screamed into my right ear, “You’re Moe-net!”
While gripped in this realtime hug two feet from my left elbow was the open casket of the man whose funeral we were attending. I winced, frowned and looked to the adult children.
The person who invited us froze, then said to his grandmother, mother and the rest of his family: “It’s okay, everybody. They’re old friends who just found each other! That’s why they’re hugging, laughing.” A long silence, a pause, hung in the air. My head down, still gripped in this realtime hug, I peeked over to the 92-year old mother, widow, his family.
Soon, in unison, a collective sigh, “oh,” floated from each person. I heard, “They’re old friends” drift into the larger room and then lobby. Startled looks now were replaced with bright smiles. Large nods of approval were shared among this entire gathering.
My head still respectfully down, I looked to the interpreter softly saying, “You complained about your crappy car. I had to write the word ‘crappy’ on large screens a lot. I remember you.” (In 1993, I wrote “crap [delete space] y” and hoped initially it translated correctly. It did. Thank you, God.) She howled with laughter. Everyone, to include people, kneeling, praying at the casket, smiled.
I said softly, “This does seem surreal, doesn’t it?”
She said, “I never forgot you after all the jobs we worked together. Has it been 14 years? I always remember you as the CARTographer. You were the first.”
Still cautious of this event, where we were ––surrounded by large funeral wreaths, an open casket –– I smiled. She began introducing me to people saying, “She’s my friend, the CARTographer. She does CARTography.”
Each person smiled; some tilted their heads. I said not a word until the fourth introduction. I quietly asked, “May I?” Everyone nodded.
I softly said, “CART –– court reporting – like captioning --”
But the interpreter, “No, she’s the CARTographer. Trust me. I found my old friend. This is wonderful!” Head down, I watched the family. She and I exchanged private information and promised to keep in touch.
After the interpreter (ASL Master Level 5) departed, I stepped back to my chair and sat. I was watching the 92-year old mother. She sat alone. I stood, stepped to my right in one step; I put my hand on her shoulder. She smiled up at me. Slowly, I began to rub her shoulder, her back. Then I leaned over, and without a word, I hugged her.
She looked up to me saying, “I can’t see very well.” After a long pause with continued eye contact, I asked why not. She said, “I’ve cried so many tears today, my eyeglasses are filthy. I can’t see from all tears I’ve shed today.”
I raised my voice and called to her great-granddaughter, Kathy. Within seconds, I addressed the adult (whom I’ve known 18 years), “Here. These eyeglasses need to be washed. Do you want to do that for her?” Kathy took the glasses, ran off.
I looked back to the woman and softly said, “Oh, she’ll feel so good helping you. Now we just had to do that for her, didn’t we?” We both burst into loud laughter.
When the sparkling eyeglasses were returned, she beamed, “I can see now. I can see everyone and my son (in casket). Oh, I have lived to see so many miracles. Thank you. You’re the CARTographer, aren’t you?”
I looked to this sweet woman, “Yes, I am.” I added, “I’m also a court reporter.”
She said, “Oh, but this CARTography sounds so much more interesting. Thank you for coming to my son’s funeral and for bringing laughter. I’m so glad to meet you. And now I can see.”
The court reporter in me was proud and humbled to experience this event culminated by a 25-year friendship and my CART services 14 years ago into a special memory-moment (deaf phrase). That evening I chose to decline the opportunity to accurately define my CART description.
As I prepped to leave, a sibling I did not know approached to say good-bye. He looked tired and sad. He leaned on the doorframe saying to me, “I don’t have a brother any more.”
I gasped. Those were the exact words I said when I was told my brother was dead. (I had gasped and looked to my husband saying, “I don’t have a baby brother any more.” Kevin hated the word baby.)
Hesitating, I looked to the brother that evening. Everyone in the room had paused and waited. I slowly, softly - voice cracking, said, “The hardest part is learning to get past ‘I have’ to ‘I had.’ It’s the ‘a’ in each word,” and I paused.
As I paused, the brother of the deceased gentleman leaned over to rub my shoulder.
He said “I hear you’re the CARTographer. It’s like Camelot. Your work is CART-a-lot, right?”
I nodded while he rubbed my shoulders. When I glanced up, his eyes were red, moist; his mother’s eyes were crystal clear. She sparkled.
It is an honor to share what we do each day. I listened, laughed, hugged, rubbed shoulders and had my shoulders rubbed in consolation. That evening confirmed again how grateful I am for possibilities that appear each day, each evening within each gathering of people.
And now I ask you: “Can you see?”
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state "WKT" RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.
Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Take That CART And Shove It? and "Dad, Your Ears Are Dirty!"
Take That CART And Shove It? and "Dad, Your Ears Are Dirty!"
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Years ago, thousands chanted: “Take this job and ….”
Has anyone here diligently worked with new technology, new boundaries?
Have you, too, worked multiple uncompensated hours to prepare, organized the event, CARTed to a large screen with new names, words, acronyms?
Have you ever felt it all uncoil in an instant, in public? Ever felt verbally slapped? I’m grateful that I live in a country where people are free to express themselves. Yet I have “a dream,” many.
While flying to CART a job, I was reading the airline magazine. A note was penned: “Dad has the following in his ears: (a) wax; (b) blackheads; (c) dirt; (d) puss; (e) all the above.” Below in all caps: “Dad, your ears are dirty; it’s number (e)!” What does a man do when a child has written him a note like this, in an airplane? I giggled, wondered, and what were those ears like?
What’s my point here?
I know CART, communication access real-time technology, is still new to some. I’ve spent hours, months, years (as others), educating, sharing, explaining.
When I remember incidents where I felt verbally slapped, the comments came from hearing people who did not need, want and/or utilize the CART services upon which they’re commenting. Their words were loudly tossed across a room, often with the hearing person laughing, opining.
Two recent events leave me stunned. Those who know what ‘should have been said and/or done’ have the benefit of knowing from your chair, not in realtime, and I humbly share.
At the end of a week-long convention, just before the finale, everyone took a break.
I had been arriving and departing the hotel in the dark. I hadn’t seen the sun in days. I had not eaten a full meal since the start of the CART job.
After months of prepping; I saw a light at the end of that tunnel. I was proud of the work, my job and pleased with the responses from the audience.
On that break on the last day, a woman approached in the large hotel lobby, one finger pointed, and raised her voice. She said, quote, “Man, I would never want you on my murder trial!” (Those were her exact words -- honest.)
I froze and turned around. Then I realized she was speaking to me!
I tipped my head, asking, “Hmmm, why is that?”
She said louder, “Because you don’t get it word for word!”
I giggled, then saw she had placed one hand on each hip and put her chin forward, thrown her shoulders back. Everyone froze; people held elevators, employees stood still.
She continued, “And you substitute some words. And you spell words you don’t have in that computer. And I wouldn’t want you as my court reporter!”
The gauntlet was tossed.
I stood tall, replying slowly, “Let me share about my services, my skills; what I’ve been doing this past week.” (I had been projecting instant verbatim text to a large screen. This convention had international speakers with foreign accents. Their topics changed almost every hour. New speakers arrived, at the last moment, to fill in or to share the topic. Yes, there were open mics on the floor from which the group asked questions to the speakers and to multiple panels on a variety of topics.)
After I briefly explained CART, communication access real-time technology, people leaned in to listen.
Finally the woman, wearing a bright red suit, laughed, raising her voice, “Wow, I’m so glad I told you. Now I can get a good night’s sleep!”
I blinked hard, smiled and said, “Thank you for permitting me to share.”
She stepped into a fully populated elevator, which had been held waiting for her; I returned to work.
Yes, individuals who had scheduled CART did appear somewhat horrified.
When the convention ended, I was still gritting my teeth. Later she re-entered the room, dramatically waved, pointed at me to her companions. The consumers who needed CART services, shook their heads. Later consumers shared their daily frustrations. Later I received my hugs as I packed my equipment.
Again consumers reminded me why I do this; why I arrived at the convention before dark, missing more than my share of food that week, why I work so hard. My sacrifices, commitment, to completion of the job paid off when individuals from this group promised they would request CART for all future events, locally and nationally.
What could I have done to prevent that? If one is writing for a ‘crowd’ to a large screen, we don’t always have an opportunity to address the audience. What should have been different? I’m still thinking on it.
Shortly thereafter, I was asked to accompany a court reporter to present in a large university. They specifically requested their guest speakers to “focus on technology.”
The court reporter specifically requested I share about CART as a guest speaker to the students, academicians and university administration.
I specifically prepped to share a history of CAT (computer-assisted technology), broadcast captioning, CART and to methodically launch into technology. Adults were seated as we entered.
Directed to the front of the room, I dragged another chair, another table, unpacked my equipment – again, while others sat and watched – to demo the technology to this audience, per their request. Just another day at the office for me. I smiled at a few adults who watched all my bending(s). I noted that the professor, her associates, were seated with superiors and administration.
It was smooth sailing. Students listened intently; professors nodded and took notes on their clipboards.
At the end of my presentation, the professor asked: “Can they see your equipment and screen?” where I had been CARTing earlier.
“Sure,” I replied.
Students leaped toward me. They asked (as people often do) for their name (and many asked for cuss words) to be written. And they asked, “Can we touch that machine?”
When the class ended, students stood and began to race to the door.
Suddenly, swiftly, the professor, waving one arm, laughing, loudly said, “Now do you see the difference? Our first speaker, the court reporter, gets the record word for word. Monette, the court reporter and CART provider, only summarizes! That’s the difference. Monette’s just summarizing it up there.”
Everyone exploded with laughter. I thought I’d been slapped.
Should I correct the instructor, as everyone exited? Should I comment while she’s standing and chatting with her peers and supervisors?
I quickly assessed this scenario in realtime, looked up and everyone was gone. It was as if they’d gone up in smoke. I was furious. I had clearly explained what we do, how we do it (a word she used), how ‘we’ CART, working with court reporters, consumers, Deaf, HOH (hard of hearing) individuals and the public.
Yet a loud, public comment about “Monette just summarizing” ended our presentations.
I know thigh-by-thigh reporting (my term) in the trenches is the best.
I know I’ll need to continue educating, sharing. I know I’ll need to return another long distance call to explain again to hearing people ‘what it is I really do’.
Yet I do yearn for a time when people are as familiar with CART as they are with court, depositions and now television captioning.
We are blessed to have choices so many never have had. Take that CART and shove it? No, not yet. “Dad, has the following in his ears …” What a great country.
PS: After this was written, my husband’s family gathered for a wedding. During dinner, his sister arrived from a large U.S. city.
Sister leaned down the long table: “I know a court reporter who takes notes in a college for a student.”
Monette (me) paused cautiously and smiled: “That’s great.”
Sister: “She’s not in court or anything. She’s ‘just’ taking notes.” Everyone had stopped eating and waited, looking down the table from sister to me.
Monette cautiously: “If she’s a court reporter in a college with a student, she’s probably CARTing and providing a verbatim transcript.”
Sister laughing, loudly, “Oh, no. She’s not technical like you;” whereupon, I froze.
Sister: “The court reporter says she just takes her ‘stuff’ to the college and does notes. Those are ‘her’ exact words!
I blinked hard, smiled, looked down the long table to all my in-laws and said, “That’s nice.”
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series. Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
Years ago, thousands chanted: “Take this job and ….”
Has anyone here diligently worked with new technology, new boundaries?
Have you, too, worked multiple uncompensated hours to prepare, organized the event, CARTed to a large screen with new names, words, acronyms?
Have you ever felt it all uncoil in an instant, in public? Ever felt verbally slapped? I’m grateful that I live in a country where people are free to express themselves. Yet I have “a dream,” many.
While flying to CART a job, I was reading the airline magazine. A note was penned: “Dad has the following in his ears: (a) wax; (b) blackheads; (c) dirt; (d) puss; (e) all the above.” Below in all caps: “Dad, your ears are dirty; it’s number (e)!” What does a man do when a child has written him a note like this, in an airplane? I giggled, wondered, and what were those ears like?
What’s my point here?
I know CART, communication access real-time technology, is still new to some. I’ve spent hours, months, years (as others), educating, sharing, explaining.
When I remember incidents where I felt verbally slapped, the comments came from hearing people who did not need, want and/or utilize the CART services upon which they’re commenting. Their words were loudly tossed across a room, often with the hearing person laughing, opining.
Two recent events leave me stunned. Those who know what ‘should have been said and/or done’ have the benefit of knowing from your chair, not in realtime, and I humbly share.
At the end of a week-long convention, just before the finale, everyone took a break.
I had been arriving and departing the hotel in the dark. I hadn’t seen the sun in days. I had not eaten a full meal since the start of the CART job.
After months of prepping; I saw a light at the end of that tunnel. I was proud of the work, my job and pleased with the responses from the audience.
On that break on the last day, a woman approached in the large hotel lobby, one finger pointed, and raised her voice. She said, quote, “Man, I would never want you on my murder trial!” (Those were her exact words -- honest.)
I froze and turned around. Then I realized she was speaking to me!
I tipped my head, asking, “Hmmm, why is that?”
She said louder, “Because you don’t get it word for word!”
I giggled, then saw she had placed one hand on each hip and put her chin forward, thrown her shoulders back. Everyone froze; people held elevators, employees stood still.
She continued, “And you substitute some words. And you spell words you don’t have in that computer. And I wouldn’t want you as my court reporter!”
The gauntlet was tossed.
I stood tall, replying slowly, “Let me share about my services, my skills; what I’ve been doing this past week.” (I had been projecting instant verbatim text to a large screen. This convention had international speakers with foreign accents. Their topics changed almost every hour. New speakers arrived, at the last moment, to fill in or to share the topic. Yes, there were open mics on the floor from which the group asked questions to the speakers and to multiple panels on a variety of topics.)
After I briefly explained CART, communication access real-time technology, people leaned in to listen.
Finally the woman, wearing a bright red suit, laughed, raising her voice, “Wow, I’m so glad I told you. Now I can get a good night’s sleep!”
I blinked hard, smiled and said, “Thank you for permitting me to share.”
She stepped into a fully populated elevator, which had been held waiting for her; I returned to work.
Yes, individuals who had scheduled CART did appear somewhat horrified.
When the convention ended, I was still gritting my teeth. Later she re-entered the room, dramatically waved, pointed at me to her companions. The consumers who needed CART services, shook their heads. Later consumers shared their daily frustrations. Later I received my hugs as I packed my equipment.
Again consumers reminded me why I do this; why I arrived at the convention before dark, missing more than my share of food that week, why I work so hard. My sacrifices, commitment, to completion of the job paid off when individuals from this group promised they would request CART for all future events, locally and nationally.
What could I have done to prevent that? If one is writing for a ‘crowd’ to a large screen, we don’t always have an opportunity to address the audience. What should have been different? I’m still thinking on it.
Shortly thereafter, I was asked to accompany a court reporter to present in a large university. They specifically requested their guest speakers to “focus on technology.”
The court reporter specifically requested I share about CART as a guest speaker to the students, academicians and university administration.
I specifically prepped to share a history of CAT (computer-assisted technology), broadcast captioning, CART and to methodically launch into technology. Adults were seated as we entered.
Directed to the front of the room, I dragged another chair, another table, unpacked my equipment – again, while others sat and watched – to demo the technology to this audience, per their request. Just another day at the office for me. I smiled at a few adults who watched all my bending(s). I noted that the professor, her associates, were seated with superiors and administration.
It was smooth sailing. Students listened intently; professors nodded and took notes on their clipboards.
At the end of my presentation, the professor asked: “Can they see your equipment and screen?” where I had been CARTing earlier.
“Sure,” I replied.
Students leaped toward me. They asked (as people often do) for their name (and many asked for cuss words) to be written. And they asked, “Can we touch that machine?”
When the class ended, students stood and began to race to the door.
Suddenly, swiftly, the professor, waving one arm, laughing, loudly said, “Now do you see the difference? Our first speaker, the court reporter, gets the record word for word. Monette, the court reporter and CART provider, only summarizes! That’s the difference. Monette’s just summarizing it up there.”
Everyone exploded with laughter. I thought I’d been slapped.
Should I correct the instructor, as everyone exited? Should I comment while she’s standing and chatting with her peers and supervisors?
I quickly assessed this scenario in realtime, looked up and everyone was gone. It was as if they’d gone up in smoke. I was furious. I had clearly explained what we do, how we do it (a word she used), how ‘we’ CART, working with court reporters, consumers, Deaf, HOH (hard of hearing) individuals and the public.
Yet a loud, public comment about “Monette just summarizing” ended our presentations.
I know thigh-by-thigh reporting (my term) in the trenches is the best.
I know I’ll need to continue educating, sharing. I know I’ll need to return another long distance call to explain again to hearing people ‘what it is I really do’.
Yet I do yearn for a time when people are as familiar with CART as they are with court, depositions and now television captioning.
We are blessed to have choices so many never have had. Take that CART and shove it? No, not yet. “Dad, has the following in his ears …” What a great country.
PS: After this was written, my husband’s family gathered for a wedding. During dinner, his sister arrived from a large U.S. city.
Sister leaned down the long table: “I know a court reporter who takes notes in a college for a student.”
Monette (me) paused cautiously and smiled: “That’s great.”
Sister: “She’s not in court or anything. She’s ‘just’ taking notes.” Everyone had stopped eating and waited, looking down the table from sister to me.
Monette cautiously: “If she’s a court reporter in a college with a student, she’s probably CARTing and providing a verbatim transcript.”
Sister laughing, loudly, “Oh, no. She’s not technical like you;” whereupon, I froze.
Sister: “The court reporter says she just takes her ‘stuff’ to the college and does notes. Those are ‘her’ exact words!
I blinked hard, smiled, looked down the long table to all my in-laws and said, “That’s nice.”
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the national and state RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series. Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
Thursday, April 10, 2008
CART FAQ: Falling On Deaf Ears, Part VI of VII
CART FAQ: Falling On Deaf Ears, Part VI of VII
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
CART's FAQ Parts I through V and many articles I’ve written about my experiences since 1993 as an experienced CART provider, college instructor and tutor with CART and deaf, HOH (hard of hearing) topics are posted on http://www.catapultdix.com/ and Monette's Musings, http://www.monettebenoit.com/.
This CART FAQ series is being digested by thousands of consumers, professionals, court reporters, captioners, captionists, teachers, students. My goal is to serve you and help all.
37. “When am I ready to CART? As a student? Can I CART while in school or shoud I wait?”
Through the years of my court reporting, teaching, CARTing and writing for the JCR, this question percolates.
I ask # 37 in return: Is the consumer consulted?
The majority of students enrolled within court reporting schools train toward freelance or official positions. As captioning programs expand, this will shift. Yet these same students would not be permitted to sit in court or depositions providing a public “record” prior to graduation (think “real transcript”).
Our world is technical and litigious; more so than when students long ago graduated at 175 wpm, words per minute, and produced a record post-event.
CART necessitates producing a record live one-on-one, one-to-many and remote CART is an option now. Providing the CART record post-event is not permissible if a consumer or job request needs CART and needs it -- now.
Within the litigation arenas, not many legal scholars desire to have a student “practicing” while creating a record. In fact, it is illegal in many areas.
Shouldn’t we ask why a student can “practice” CART producing a product, an ASCII, as a service?
Are they interning or practicing? An intern does not share their skill with judges, lawyers or deponents.
Captioners do not practice on-air, do they?
Should a court reporting student practice with a consumer?
Is this a slippery slope? Yes.
Are students able to write “sustained” 180–240 wpm, 98–99 percent?
Can the student fingerspell in realtime, stitch words, produce a “record” for the person needing this instant verbatim skill?
Just because a student passes one jury charge or one literary five-minute test at 140–160 wpm, words per minute, does this mean he or she writes sustained speeds accurately?
Is the student actually charging for CART while in school at 160 wpm? Unbelievable, but true.
Is the student undercutting the experienced CART providers who earned the right to provide a service without “practicing”?
Do they give, sell, share an ASCII to the consumer and to fellow students? Does the college know this?
How technical is the class? Do they CART videos (another high set of skills)?
Perhaps I would not want my child to rely upon a court reporting student, one not trained for this wonderful field, who “practices” while my child earns a degree or diploma.
I have spoken to many people practicing to CART.
I have asked each if they would want their child to receive the transcript they are producing while a student is enrolled online or in class in a court reporting program. Their honest answers are "no, I would want an experienced person."
Is the college, school district, university setting, whoever permits a court reporting student to “practice,” doing so to save money, stating they’re complying with the ADA? Many are, and state money, funding, is the reason for their decision to hire someone who is not qualified - yet. Will that person then raise their fee once they are experienced? And will the college, school district, university then find another CART student who is willing 'to practice' to save more money?
Is the student who is deaf or hard-of-hearing fearful to speak up, knowing words are “dropped” and dashed out, while the reporting student practices? Is the student missing part of the class with words that are unreadable? What will the student do when this material is on the next quiz or test? (This happens.)
Shouldn’t we be concerned that consumers are fearful, believing “something is better than nothing.” (Another article I authored and have posted regarding CART.)
If a court reporting graduate prepares, works toward the goal of CART, yes, he or she should be able to CART — as long as the graduate trains, and, additionally, learns about Deaf and hard-of-hearing sensitivity and cultures.
Is English the consumer's language or “sign?” This question is essential to the service we provide.
38. “Should I practice in church?”
Oh, my. Does anyone think “practicing” should be done in a home, classroom, some private location?
People attending church deserve the same privileges as someone in a class or meeting. Many live with daily frustrations from physical or emotional challenges.
I learned to CART writing church services for a Deaf mass. In 1993, I practiced six months, seven days a week at home and in church while I was teaching two shifts. When I was practicing at St. Francesco di Paola (St. Francis), my screen was turned down until I had terms for a large screen in their Deaf mass. I did not project to a large screen until I had prepared.
How can a person “hear” the Word of God if the reporter is practicing and displaying untranslates?
Sadly, I “hear” about this too often, in church and classrooms. Those sharing "how can I hear the word of God" are the consumers.
The people practicing write -- repeatedly --, “How do I ...” and “When should I ...?” (Which is why this CART FAQ is being shared.)
39. “Should I practice on a student?” Please see my "Something Is Better Than Nothing?" article, posting.
40. “And what if an experienced CART provider isn’t available? Is something better than nothing?”
See my previous answer.
Several years ago, I lost a large national client when they decided “something is better than nothing.” I could not, would not participate with their opinion knowing how this was affecting everyone.
The company traveled the United States. They were selling medical services. And doctors, audiologists and medical professionals presented detailed information that may result in a surgical procedure.
The voiced discussions needed to be projected to a large screen to assist people in the audience who were attending the meeting. I scheduled CART providers.
One location did not have experienced CART providers. (Many were CRRs, certified realtime writers, realtiming depositions or in court, which requires different professional skills.)
I phoned 30 court reporters. Not one had experience or the equipment needed to project to a large screen. This was not an event for a person who had never CARTed to a large screen.
When I phoned my client to tell them I could not serve their request with a “local reporter,” they were angry.
Due to the location they had selected remote services were not an option. I shared that I could provide an experienced person to travel; the reporter would need lodging for the one evening due to the length of the drive and their meeting.
The company hiring the CART services said, quote, “Something is better than nothing.”
I replied that my company, my ethics, my reputation, could not agree “to that.”
They (hearing) were adamant stating: “Even if ‘they’ (audience) get 80 percent, it’s better than nothing.” (A number “they” -hearing- created and deemed sufficient.)
I knew people attending that evening would need much more than 80 percent. I knew potential clients to this company would need 99 percent - all discussions would be technical and medical topics, if clients were going to, perhaps, accept the medical services this company was selling.
In realtime I apologized to the company representative I had helped with many meetings after listening to the individual instruct me to "just find someone." I stated that I could not assist this location per their requests.
So the national company (later they shared they "paid lots of money") hired a typist, a person to type on a laptop, hooked to a projector, in realtime. A typist? Someone with no training? A typist was paid?
The large national company was not upset a CART provider wasn’t realtiming. They were upset: “You, Monette, don’t believe 80 percent is good enough!”
Well, it’s not! As accuracy rates lower and “practicing” expands with consumers or students, we are enabling avenues in communication to justify “their” lower rates. Alternative providers are more cost-effective for schools requesting and accepting lower accuracies. We are opening the door for others.
If we continue to lower the bar of our services, the verbatim skills we worked decades to raise, alternative resources will come forward to compete with us. In fact, they already are. Some are now “practicing” in the back of the room while the CART provider now “works.”
I am contacted about these topics almost every day. I share where I may; I help where I can.
Yet I ask again: Has anyone asked consumers which accuracy they prefer? And do we really want to justify lower accuracy rates by and for people who are practicing — with steno machines or alternative methods?
This is a CART slippery slope for students, schools and consumers. We can make a difference with interns. Do we really need to create precedents that lower our skills with “practicing” CART providers on-the-job providing a verbatim record?
P.S.: After I finished this article, an experienced court reporter phoned my office. She was asked to demo university-level CART. Years ago, court reporting students had “practiced” while charging very low rates. The university hired the students to save the college money. The students went in the university classrooms to "practice" for when they can provide CART.
The students’ transcripts were so bad, all the Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers requested notetakers or sign interpreters. Consumers requested the student CART providers not continue to help them. (The court reporter said, “consumers were too frustrated to view the screens.”)
The experienced CART providers, court reporters, then were asked to meet the students’ (very low) price. They could not.
Now reporters were being asked to demo, to share professional skills and to prove they (experienced CART providers) could provide the service.
Her question to me today: “Where and how do I begin, and how do I begin to pick up all the pieces here to help the consumers who want us back in the classroom?”
The saddest part to me: This will not be the last time I am contacted with this scenario. So sad, indeed.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the NCRA and state WKT, RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
By Monette Benoit
Copyright by Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
CART's FAQ Parts I through V and many articles I’ve written about my experiences since 1993 as an experienced CART provider, college instructor and tutor with CART and deaf, HOH (hard of hearing) topics are posted on http://www.catapultdix.com/ and Monette's Musings, http://www.monettebenoit.com/.
This CART FAQ series is being digested by thousands of consumers, professionals, court reporters, captioners, captionists, teachers, students. My goal is to serve you and help all.
37. “When am I ready to CART? As a student? Can I CART while in school or shoud I wait?”
Through the years of my court reporting, teaching, CARTing and writing for the JCR, this question percolates.
I ask # 37 in return: Is the consumer consulted?
The majority of students enrolled within court reporting schools train toward freelance or official positions. As captioning programs expand, this will shift. Yet these same students would not be permitted to sit in court or depositions providing a public “record” prior to graduation (think “real transcript”).
Our world is technical and litigious; more so than when students long ago graduated at 175 wpm, words per minute, and produced a record post-event.
CART necessitates producing a record live one-on-one, one-to-many and remote CART is an option now. Providing the CART record post-event is not permissible if a consumer or job request needs CART and needs it -- now.
Within the litigation arenas, not many legal scholars desire to have a student “practicing” while creating a record. In fact, it is illegal in many areas.
Shouldn’t we ask why a student can “practice” CART producing a product, an ASCII, as a service?
Are they interning or practicing? An intern does not share their skill with judges, lawyers or deponents.
Captioners do not practice on-air, do they?
Should a court reporting student practice with a consumer?
Is this a slippery slope? Yes.
Are students able to write “sustained” 180–240 wpm, 98–99 percent?
Can the student fingerspell in realtime, stitch words, produce a “record” for the person needing this instant verbatim skill?
Just because a student passes one jury charge or one literary five-minute test at 140–160 wpm, words per minute, does this mean he or she writes sustained speeds accurately?
Is the student actually charging for CART while in school at 160 wpm? Unbelievable, but true.
Is the student undercutting the experienced CART providers who earned the right to provide a service without “practicing”?
Do they give, sell, share an ASCII to the consumer and to fellow students? Does the college know this?
How technical is the class? Do they CART videos (another high set of skills)?
Perhaps I would not want my child to rely upon a court reporting student, one not trained for this wonderful field, who “practices” while my child earns a degree or diploma.
I have spoken to many people practicing to CART.
I have asked each if they would want their child to receive the transcript they are producing while a student is enrolled online or in class in a court reporting program. Their honest answers are "no, I would want an experienced person."
Is the college, school district, university setting, whoever permits a court reporting student to “practice,” doing so to save money, stating they’re complying with the ADA? Many are, and state money, funding, is the reason for their decision to hire someone who is not qualified - yet. Will that person then raise their fee once they are experienced? And will the college, school district, university then find another CART student who is willing 'to practice' to save more money?
Is the student who is deaf or hard-of-hearing fearful to speak up, knowing words are “dropped” and dashed out, while the reporting student practices? Is the student missing part of the class with words that are unreadable? What will the student do when this material is on the next quiz or test? (This happens.)
Shouldn’t we be concerned that consumers are fearful, believing “something is better than nothing.” (Another article I authored and have posted regarding CART.)
If a court reporting graduate prepares, works toward the goal of CART, yes, he or she should be able to CART — as long as the graduate trains, and, additionally, learns about Deaf and hard-of-hearing sensitivity and cultures.
Is English the consumer's language or “sign?” This question is essential to the service we provide.
38. “Should I practice in church?”
Oh, my. Does anyone think “practicing” should be done in a home, classroom, some private location?
People attending church deserve the same privileges as someone in a class or meeting. Many live with daily frustrations from physical or emotional challenges.
I learned to CART writing church services for a Deaf mass. In 1993, I practiced six months, seven days a week at home and in church while I was teaching two shifts. When I was practicing at St. Francesco di Paola (St. Francis), my screen was turned down until I had terms for a large screen in their Deaf mass. I did not project to a large screen until I had prepared.
How can a person “hear” the Word of God if the reporter is practicing and displaying untranslates?
Sadly, I “hear” about this too often, in church and classrooms. Those sharing "how can I hear the word of God" are the consumers.
The people practicing write -- repeatedly --, “How do I ...” and “When should I ...?” (Which is why this CART FAQ is being shared.)
39. “Should I practice on a student?” Please see my "Something Is Better Than Nothing?" article, posting.
40. “And what if an experienced CART provider isn’t available? Is something better than nothing?”
See my previous answer.
Several years ago, I lost a large national client when they decided “something is better than nothing.” I could not, would not participate with their opinion knowing how this was affecting everyone.
The company traveled the United States. They were selling medical services. And doctors, audiologists and medical professionals presented detailed information that may result in a surgical procedure.
The voiced discussions needed to be projected to a large screen to assist people in the audience who were attending the meeting. I scheduled CART providers.
One location did not have experienced CART providers. (Many were CRRs, certified realtime writers, realtiming depositions or in court, which requires different professional skills.)
I phoned 30 court reporters. Not one had experience or the equipment needed to project to a large screen. This was not an event for a person who had never CARTed to a large screen.
When I phoned my client to tell them I could not serve their request with a “local reporter,” they were angry.
Due to the location they had selected remote services were not an option. I shared that I could provide an experienced person to travel; the reporter would need lodging for the one evening due to the length of the drive and their meeting.
The company hiring the CART services said, quote, “Something is better than nothing.”
I replied that my company, my ethics, my reputation, could not agree “to that.”
They (hearing) were adamant stating: “Even if ‘they’ (audience) get 80 percent, it’s better than nothing.” (A number “they” -hearing- created and deemed sufficient.)
I knew people attending that evening would need much more than 80 percent. I knew potential clients to this company would need 99 percent - all discussions would be technical and medical topics, if clients were going to, perhaps, accept the medical services this company was selling.
In realtime I apologized to the company representative I had helped with many meetings after listening to the individual instruct me to "just find someone." I stated that I could not assist this location per their requests.
So the national company (later they shared they "paid lots of money") hired a typist, a person to type on a laptop, hooked to a projector, in realtime. A typist? Someone with no training? A typist was paid?
The large national company was not upset a CART provider wasn’t realtiming. They were upset: “You, Monette, don’t believe 80 percent is good enough!”
Well, it’s not! As accuracy rates lower and “practicing” expands with consumers or students, we are enabling avenues in communication to justify “their” lower rates. Alternative providers are more cost-effective for schools requesting and accepting lower accuracies. We are opening the door for others.
If we continue to lower the bar of our services, the verbatim skills we worked decades to raise, alternative resources will come forward to compete with us. In fact, they already are. Some are now “practicing” in the back of the room while the CART provider now “works.”
I am contacted about these topics almost every day. I share where I may; I help where I can.
Yet I ask again: Has anyone asked consumers which accuracy they prefer? And do we really want to justify lower accuracy rates by and for people who are practicing — with steno machines or alternative methods?
This is a CART slippery slope for students, schools and consumers. We can make a difference with interns. Do we really need to create precedents that lower our skills with “practicing” CART providers on-the-job providing a verbatim record?
P.S.: After I finished this article, an experienced court reporter phoned my office. She was asked to demo university-level CART. Years ago, court reporting students had “practiced” while charging very low rates. The university hired the students to save the college money. The students went in the university classrooms to "practice" for when they can provide CART.
The students’ transcripts were so bad, all the Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers requested notetakers or sign interpreters. Consumers requested the student CART providers not continue to help them. (The court reporter said, “consumers were too frustrated to view the screens.”)
The experienced CART providers, court reporters, then were asked to meet the students’ (very low) price. They could not.
Now reporters were being asked to demo, to share professional skills and to prove they (experienced CART providers) could provide the service.
Her question to me today: “Where and how do I begin, and how do I begin to pick up all the pieces here to help the consumers who want us back in the classroom?”
The saddest part to me: This will not be the last time I am contacted with this scenario. So sad, indeed.
Monette Benoit may be reached at: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
About the Author:
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, is a JCR Contributing Editor for the National Court Reporters Association, NCRA. She is the author of multiple books to include the NCRA and state WKT, RPR, RMR, RDR, CSR ‘Written Knowledge Exam’ Textbook, Workbook, a companion Study Guide, ‘The CRRT WKT’ CD Software Program, Advanced SAT, LSAT, GRE, Real-Time Vocabulary Workbook and‘CATapult’ Dictionary CD Software Program series.Books, CDs, private tutoring, mentoring services and articles may be referenced http://www.crrbooks.com/.
Monette is an experienced consultant, instructor, realtime court reporter, tutor, life coach, CART provider, columnist.
She teaches, tutors and coaches home-study students, college students, court reporters and professionals. Monette speaks to groups at state, national and international conventions about motivation, technology, expanding skills and Deaf, Oral Deaf, Hard of Hearing.
Monette Benoit, B.B.A., Certified Court Reporter, Certified Reporting Instructor, Certified Program Evaluator, Paralegal, may be reached at: http://www.crrbooks.com/ http://www.catapultdix.com/ and http://www.artcs.com/
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