Answered by Amanda: Very Good Question. Yes, the services have changed for the better due to internet and technology. Usually, the deaf were only offered interpreting services, however there is a good amount of other technologies now available.
Lets start off with CART; Communication Access Realtime Translation. With this service, a CART transcriber agent would use a stenograph keyboard, connected to a regular computer, and type out word for word what is being spoken. The exact word-for-word transcription would be displayed on the computer screen in front of the deaf person. This method is similar to what they use in court rooms to keep a log of conversations for the record. You have two different options with this feature; 1) the deaf person could request the agent sit in with them wherever they needed services. The agent would be seated right next to them in the room. This option would give the deaf person the ability to type his/her own question onto the regular computer so that the CART agent may speak it aloud to the room. 2) this option would allow the deaf person to hook their own computer up to an internet server connected with a CART agency. A high frequency microphone would capture everything being said within the room so it may be transmitted via internet to a CART agent. The CART agent would not be in the same room for this option, the word-for-word transcription would still be available on the computer screen in a matter of seconds.
Another service similar to this would be TypeWell. This service is the same concept. A stenograph keyboard would be hooked up to the computer so that a TypeWell agent may transmit what is being said onto a computer screen. The same 2 options are available here; in room services, or via internet services. However, it differs by one major factor. Instead of having a word-for-word speech to text dialogue, TypeWell is a speech-to-text communication access system, that expresses the meaning of what is spoken, but in fewer words. The TypeWell transcriber listens to speakers and types a richly-detailed summary of what was said.
As far as 'disability services', those are the two major ones used for educational and professional settings. As for communication services that have been made possible due to internet and wireless technology, please view the post below this one relating to Communication Devices for the deaf.
I have included links to some popular websites that provide information about these two methods.
Hope this Helps!
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