Speech-to-Text Interpreting (STTI) Training ► Equal Dreams

On this page:

Schedule
Programme Description
Learning Outcomes
Target Audience
Materials you need
Accessibility
Pricing
Opportunities Upon Completion
Trainers
Registration
Express your interest
Testimonials

Schedule

Venue: 994 Bendemeer Road, #03-04, B-Central, Singapore 339943

Programme Description

Speech-to-text interpreting provides meaning for meaning transcription to aural information. This form of access service is utilised in both online and in-person settings learning environments by Deaf and Hard of hearing individuals who prefer to access information by text instead of or in tandem with sign language interpretation.

Speech-to-text interpreters focus on conveying the meaning of what is being said, in contrast to verbatim speech-to-text services. This reduces what the consumer has to process visually and still be able to access the same amount of meaningful information. This is achieved through the use of shorthand, eliminating filler words, and condensing connected thoughts whenever possible. The transcription also includes any relevant non-verbal auditory information.

Through theory and practical hands-on components, this course equips the participants with the cultural knowledge and technical skills to perform the role of a speech-to-text interpreter, thus providing equitable communication access to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. The focus of the training will be higher education settings.

Find out more about Equal Dreams’ speech-to-text interpreting service, including an explainer video and our portfolio, at this page: Equal Dreams’ Speech-to-Text Interpreting Service.

Check out the video to find out more about our speech-to-text interpreting training, where you can learn to provide an equitable learning experience by creating live transcripts:

Descriptive transcript of the video here

Watch: What’s in your Bag? Speech-to-Text Interpreters Edition

Learning Outcomes

Gain knowledge about Deaf culture and the community with a focus on their educational journey and options.
Identify the range of Deaf access services options available, when and how these options are utilised.
Understand the role of a speech-to-text interpreter as an accessibility professional.
Understand shorthand theories and apply them to build their own personal shorthand dictionary.
Gain knowledge on meaning-for-meaning and speed-building techniques and are able to apply to their transcription-interpretation work.

Certificates of Completion will be awarded with an 80% attendance requirement.

Target Audience

Any individuals interested in accessibility work
Teaching faculty in higher education, disability service professionals, students training to be peer access team
For participants based in Singapore
Bonus (but not compulsory): Those with minimum typing speed of at least 80 words per minute.

Note: Minimum speed applies to those interested in taking up paid assignments. Even if you don’t meet it, no worries — we welcome you to join us! You may face some challenges during simulation exercises, but you can still pick up the knowledge & STTI techniques to practise and improve on your own, or apply them to your work. You can always take up assignments at a later time when you’re ready.

Materials you need

Laptop (for both online & face-to-face classes)
Headphones or earpiece (some face-to-face activities may require one)

Do note that for this course, you will be required to download a text expansion software into your laptop. You will be briefed on this during the first lesson.

Accessibility

Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements in the registration form, or you can email us at training@equaldreams.sg to discuss further.

Pricing

Our Sliding Scale Pricing Model

We offer three pricing tiers: Reduced, General, and Supporter.

This model invites those with greater financial privilege to pay at the General or Supporter rates, contributing to equity and access from a place of solidarity, not charity.

Find out more about why we implement a sliding scale model.

We trust you to choose the tier that best reflects your current financial situation — no questions asked. The descriptions below may not fully reflect your circumstances; please choose the one that feels most aligned.

Please note: Discount codes or vouchers do not apply to this programme. Programme must have minimum 8 participants to run. Programme fees are non-refundable, unless the programme is cancelled.

Opportunities Upon Completion

Suitable participants will be invited to our mentorship program, which can lead to opportunities to join Equal Dreams’ accessibility team. We are open to flexible arrangements including full time, part time, freelance, traineeship or internship.

Trainers

A picture of Clara Chee, with a bright smile, wearing a black vest featuring sunflower patterns. There is a circular blue background behind her, creating a visually appealing profile picture.

Programme Lead & Instructor, SgSL & Speech-to-Text Interpreter

Clara is a Team Lead at Equal Dreams, where she leads curriculum development and training across a wide range of topics—from organising accessible events, to disability awareness, to training accessibility professionals. As an accessibility professional providing services like Singapore Sign Language and speech-to-text interpreting, she brings both technical expertise and lived experience to her work. Identifying as neurodivergent, Clara is committed to creating truly inclusive spaces through genuine collaboration with disabled communities. Her approach is grounded in empathy, practical insight, and a firm belief that accessibility is a shared responsibility, not an afterthought.

Profile photo of Hidayat

Programme Coordinator & Instructor, SgSL & Speech-to-Text Interpreter

An interest in language led Hidayat to chance upon linguistics. From the start, he was fascinated by the theory that language influences how people think and experience the world. During this period, Hidayat was introduced to languages that were different from what he was used to – signed languages. Using the visual-manual modality for communication, his Deaf lecturer (Jarn May!) introduced him to the Deaf culture and Singapore Sign Language (SgSL). Years later, Hidayat found himself working with the Deaf community.

Hidayat began his work with the Deaf community conducting research to support the development of the Singapore Sign Language Signbank. Now, he continues to provide support for resource building through linguistic research while building on his skills in sign language and speech-to-text interpreting.

Registration

August 2025 Intake Now Open!

Can’t make it this round, but still interested?

Once you registered your interest, we will reach out to you if and when we have the next run of this programme!

Check out what our past participants have to say!

Page 1 of 3: Hear what Level 3 students have to say!

I really appreciate the level of care and thoughtfulness put into the design of this program - down to making notes really easy to read and digest, giving us breaks, taking time to explain the nuanced justifications behind the specific stance ED takes behind its principles and ethics for interpreters.

Hanae
July 2023

I liked the structure and the accompanying session notes, which contained clear instructions on what is due next, as well as covering what we went through previously when I wanted to recap.

Jennifer
October 2023

I appreciated how the trainers were very involved in our learning throughout the programme - in addition to the many techniques taught, we were able to receive a lot of detailed guidance and feedback that was very useful in helping us understand how we can improve. I also appreciated the many simulations we did, with a variety of settings as well, providing us with many opportunities to practise and experience the interpreting process.

Deborah
December 2023

Page 2 of 3: Hear what Level 3 students have to say!

I really loved learning about the Deaf community. I came into the course expecting to be learning mostly just about STTI but the history and insights into the community were a pleasant surprise and I really think I walked away learning a lot.

Anonymous
March 2022

I really enjoyed the pacing of each session and how well balanced they were between the technical skills of STTI and context of Deaf education and histories in Singapore. The sessions were well facilitated and we were often guided to share our thoughts and perspectives rather than being told what is "right" or "wrong". This really helped set the tone for the space as one that is welcoming and that it was alright to have different opinions or to make mistakes.

Rachel
March 2022

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to take part in such an informative and enlightening programme! I had some uncertainties when I initially signed up for this STTI programme, but now that I have finished, I am really glad that I took time out of my winter break to learn about an interesting and important field.

Soyoung
December 2022

Page 3 of 3: Hear what Level 3 students have to say!

I really liked how well thought through the six sessions were and the range of topics covered (so well-scaffolded and explained). I had expected to learn about the practical aspects of meaning-for-meaning transcription and speed-building techniques, and I appreciate that a lot of time also went into learning about deaf culture, access options, educational pathways, etc. It adds meaning to and a holistic understanding of the work that we are doing which is so necessary.

Yan Ying
October 2021

I highly recommend this course to everyone! For the uninitiated, joining this programme is a good start to understanding more about the Deaf community's needs, as well as key concepts regarding equal access and access services. For people who are already in related sectors, this programme provides a good insight to what STTI is about and how STTI is complementary with other access services.

Wen Qi
October 2021

I like the simulations because they were practical but were limited enough for us to set realistic expectations of our own capabilities. I also really appreciated the brief context given of Deaf community and culture in Singapore throughout the sessions.

Bevlyn
December 2021

Contact

For further enquiries, please contact us at training@equaldreams.sg