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Summer/Fall 2014

In This Issue
Find Your Vocal Rhythm for Better Audio
Captioning and Telehealth Come Together at TTE
FCC Applies Closed Captioning Requirements to Video Clips
Movie Theaters, In-Flight Movies, and Text-911 Capabilities Next in Accessibility Push for the Hard-of-Hearing
FIND YOUR VOCAL RHYTHM FOR BETTER AUDIO

Good vocal rhythm is a crucial element for an effective audio recording of webinars, seminars, Audio Recording3 meetings, workshops, classes, consultations, video clips, online programming, and television programming.
       
Whether you're a media personality, subject-matter expert, business professional, health care practitioner, college professor, or professional speaker, a good vocal rhythm makes a better audio recording and improves people's understanding of what you're saying. In real-time transcription and captioning, vocal rhythm becomes even more important.

What does vocal rhythm sound like? For someone transcribing or captioning it has a cadence that facilitates listening and attentiveness (not putting the typist to sleep but also not a grating, jarring noise like fingernails scraped across a blackboard), and one that is a good pace for typing. It has an artful and effective combination of word, sentence, and paragraph lengths. It ebbs and flows with volume, variety, and voice. Sometimes a brief silence is perfect!

Good vocal rhythm is a skill set that takes practice. Read our June blog post "Vocal Rhythm: A Key to Success in Real-Time Transcription and Captioning" to learn more and for action steps you can take to maximize the vocal quality and rhythm of an audio recording for transcription and captioning. 
CAPTIONING AND TELEHEALTH COME TOGETHER AT TTE


TTE Transcripts Worldwide, Ltd. Offers Captioning Solutions for Health Care Practitioners, Companies, and Organizations

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., July 23, 2014 - A valuable tool for many health care providers, telehealth is increasingly becoming part of the conversation and overall strategy of health care delivery. Yet, for the person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing, telehealth and telemedicine advancements can pose a unique accessibility challenge. TTE Transcripts Worldwide, Ltd. offers captioning solutions to help health care practitioners, companies, and organizations make telehealth options accessible for those with hearing impairments.    

 

As a business owner, TTE CEO Terry Thompson knows the value of maximizing the resources and tools you invest in to provide efficient and effective services. As a health care consumer, she also knows the value of health care providers who do all they can to make a difference in people's lives. Captioning solutions benefit practitioners, companies, organizations, and patients. "Why limit yourself?" Thompson says. "Captioning gives you a broader outreach, increases the usability of the technology you've invested in, and expands your priority of consumer accessibility and satisfaction."   

Read full press release  Typist  

FCC APPLIES CLOSED CAPTIONING REQUIREMENTS TO VIDEO CLIPS 

In July of  2014, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Second Order of Reconsideration (Video Clips Order) and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further Notice) for IP-delivered video clips. Building on the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) and recognizing the differences between full-length video programming and video clips, this order and notice expands on an IP Closed Captioning Order released in January 2012 by the FCC. "Never has there been a greater opportunity to harness the power of communication technology to improve the lives of Americans living with disabilities. Since I became Chairman, we have acted aggressively to seize the opportunities," says FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler in his statement. "Today, we acted again. And we will continue to act in the future."

Here are some key points from the Video Clips Order (refer to the order itself for full explanations, details, applications, and exceptions):
  • captioning of clips required "if video programming distributor or provider posts on its website or application ("app") a video clip of video programming that it published or exhibited on television in the United States with captions, regardless of the content or length of the video clip"
  • compliance deadline - January 1, 2016 - straight lift clips
  • compliance deadline - January 1, 2017 - montages
  • compliance deadline - July 1, 2017 - previously shown captioned live or near-live video programming
  • quality standards released in IP Closed Captioning Order also applicable to video clips

The Further Notice asked for feedback in several areas, including:

  • rules application to third party video programming providers and distributors
  • captioning timeframes allowed for live and near-live programming
  • rules application for promotional and advance video clips

Wheeler also indicated in his statement that the FCC earlier this year announced its ASL Consumer Support line, which he described as "a video service that will allow consumers to speak to the FCC using sign language rather than filling out a form."   

 

Click here for more info: Commission Document and Commissioner Statements 
MOVIE THEATERS, IN-FLIGHT MOVIES, AND TEXT-911 CAPABILITIES NEXT IN ACCESSIBILITY PUSH FOR THE HARD-OF-HEARING

Accessibility for those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing through closed captioning is taking to both land and air. Keep reading to learn how.

Movie Theaters

In July 2014, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for captioning requirements in movie theaters. The document proposes amendments to Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The NPRM was published in the Federal Register August 1, 2014. Comments must be submitted on or before September 30, 2014.

According to the NPRM document (titled Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodation - Movie Theaters; Movie Captioning and Audio Description), the DOJ proposes:
  • closed captioning (delivered at or near a person's seat and seen only by viewer) and audio description requirement for movies
  • theaters be required to have individual closed captioning and audio description devices available
  • a six-month compliance date for movie theaters' digital screens
  • theaters be required to ensure staff able to operate and help patrons with equipment

The Department of Justice indicates in the NPRM that movie theaters would not be required to create their own captioning or audio descriptions. DOJ is also seeking comment on a compliance date for movie theaters' analog movie screens.    

 

Click here to read the ADA and DOJ documents for full details, explanations, and exceptions.   

 

In-Flight Movies

 


Politicians and the Association for Airline Passenger Rights have publicized their interest in seeing in-flight movies and entertainment closed captioned.

 

 



Text-911




FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said in his statement regarding the recently issued Video Clips Order, "In January, we proposed that all text messaging providers had to offer text-911 capabilities."
THANKS!

TTE loves its clients and the variety of projects it gets to work on. Here are just a couple of our valued clients:

Cooper Mitchell 
Schlumberger Carbon Services
Chorus Call, Inc.
 
Thanks for your business! 
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CLIENT TESTIMONIAL



Metia's clients depend on us for the very best in digital marketing. For several years now, we have relied on TTE for transcripts of hundreds of audio files from interviews with global clients, customers, and partners. TTE consistently handles technical vocabulary, comprehends various speaker accents, and overcomes recording imperfections to produce exceptionally accurate transcripts on deadline. Highly recommended.  

Jack Kirshbaum,

Senior Editor, Metia 

















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