Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish New Year and it also marks the start of a new age in communication for one synagogue. For Jews attending the Bnai Keshet Synagogue in Montclair, New Jersey, court reporters will be providing CART services to reach a new segment of the congregation. CART Allows Deaf and Non-Deaf Alike To Participate Providing CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) to the deaf and hard of hearing community is a growing field of employment for New Jersey court reporters looking for something other than traditional courtroom employment. Advances in computer transcription have simplified the CART process so the service is now commonly offered by the typical court reporting agency. Most people know CART from the closed captioning services television stations offer on their programming. Providing captioning for recorded programs can be done before air, allowing the reporter plenty of time to get it right. Captioning live broadcasts such as news and sporting events requires exceptional skill. As CART technology has improved it is offered in more venues, widening the access that deaf community has to things we all take for granted such as religious services. Synagogue Inspired By Deaf Rabbi As often happens, people can overlook accessibility until someone comes into their lives with a disability. For Bnai Keshet, it was the hiring of a deaf assistant rabbi that made them realize that a significant segment of the community was being denied full access to temple service. Although synagogue members are welcome to bring sign language interpreters, this is not the ideal solution. Not all deaf people know sign language and not all hard of hearing people are deaf. The CART system will help not only fully deaf members but also anyone who is having trouble hearing the rabbi speak. The Bnai Keshet CART system will allow New Jersey court reporters to transcribe what is being said into a computer. The computer will automatically translate the court reporting shorthand into plain English which will be displayed on a screen that can be seen by the congregation. The synagogue will continue to offer CART translation on most High Holy Day services. New Jersey Court Reporters Have Employment Options Providing CART translation is just one of the many career options open to a certified court reporter. Driven by both federal laws and growing public awareness, accessibility is a hot issue in all industries. People have come to realize that it is not just about wheelchair ramps. Without communication there is no human interaction and court reporters can facilitate communication in many ways. Bnai Keshet is an example of how many individual organizations are offering transcription services to assist their deaf and hard of hearing customers. Closed captioning is commonly included in video conferencing, sales presentations, and business seminars. It has moved beyond television programs to become part of everyday life.
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