| UK REPORTERS |
Role of the Speech-to-Text Reporter (STTR) DEFINITIONS PRINCIPAL means any person or body from whom a STTR accepts work. CONSUMER means any person or body who makes use of a STTR’s services. 1. It is the role of the STTR to facilitate communication between deaf/deafened/hard of hearing people and hearing people. 2. The STTR produces a computerised verbatim record of what is said, using either a Palantype or Stenograph machine, to be shown instantly on a monitor or screen. 3. The STTR provides a complete translation of the spoken words and environmental sounds, such as {laughter} and {applause}. 4. The STTR is neutral in any proceedings. The STTR should decline any invitation or suggestion to comment, interject, advise, respond to, or in any way become involved in the proceedings outside the role of the STTR. If necessary, the STTR should politely explain the necessity to stay "in role." 5. The STTR may be asked to step out of the role to answer questions about the service or to demonstrate equipment during a break. Deviations from the role should be the exception, with the approval of the customer/principal. The STTR should be perfectly willing to explain what it is the STTR does. However it should be remembered this usually occurs during break time, and therefore the STTR may prefer to defer questions until the end of the STT assignment. 6. The STTR and the Official Verbatim Reporter perform different functions. The STTR should try to avoid working in the dual capacity of STTR and Official Verbatim Reporter. 7. It is not the primary role of the STTR to produce a hard copy transcript of a STT assignment. Any party seeking to obtain such a transcript will, in the first instance, need to obtain the consent of the STTR. All hard copy transcripts of STT assignments must include the following disclaimer: "this transcript was provided originally as communication
support for a deafened reader. It should not be regarded as a fully checked and
verified verbatim record; it has no legal standing." 9. The STTR must exercise discretion in situations that may warrant interrupting the proceedings in order to ensure the integrity of the STT transcription; for example, when more than one person is speaking at a time. Care should be taken not to call undue attention to the consumer or the provision of STT services. 10. The STTR must be alert to conflicts of interest. Such circumstances may include, for example, providing speech-to-text for a deaf person who is a close friend, family member, or business associate. The STTR should disclose to all parties present any potential conflict of interest or inability to be impartial. 11. The STTR should discuss with the customer/principal his or her role and what adjustments may have to be made to the proceedings to facilitate the smooth running of the service, e.g. breaks, where to sit, before proceedings begin. For this reason, the STTR should ensure that he or she arrives in good time. 12. The STTR should take a five to ten minute break every hour to hour and a half in order to prevent any injury to the STTR and to give the customer/principal eye breaks. However, if due to the nature of the job breaks are not able to be built in, then consideration should be made to booking two STTRs for the assignment. 13. The STTR will have general knowledge of the deaf culture, and will understand the preferred communication mode of a person with a hearing loss. 14. Furthermore, the STTR should be aware of the role of other Human Aids to Communication (HAC). Very often, several HACS providing different methods of communication support will be working alongside each other. The STTR will work with other HACs as a team to ensure full, effective communication access. 15. The STTR must continually update his or her dictionary so that output is continually improved. 16. The STTR should at all times stay in role and perform in a manner appropriate to the situation. 17. The STTR should make every reasonable effort to accommodate the consumer’s individual requirements within the definitions of the STTR’s role, as set out in this document. |
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VERBATIM REPORTING SERVICES 07970 438088 franny@frannybarrett.freeserve.co.uk |