Total contact time
12 hours, 5 sessions*
*Certificates will be sent out at the end of the programme to those who achieve at least 80% of attendance.
Estimated preparation time
4 hours per week
Schedule: April 2024 Intake
| Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1: 25 April | 7.30pm to 9.30pm | Online |
| Session 2: 2 May | 7.30pm to 9.30pm | Online |
| Session 3: 9 May | 7.30pm to 9.30pm | Online |
| Session 4: 16 May | 7.30pm to 9.30pm | Online |
| Session 5A: 4 June | 10am to 12pm | In-person* |
| Session 5B: 4 June | 2pm to 4pm | In-person* |
*All in-person sessions will be at Singapore Polytechnic premises. Exact location will be sent after registration.
What is Speech-to-Text Interpreting?
Speech-to-text interpreting, more commonly known as Notetaking for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, provides meaning for meaning transcription of aural information. This form of access service is utilised in both online and in-person 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.
Learn more in the video below!
Programme Description
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.
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
- Participants gain knowledge about Deaf culture and the community with a focus on their educational journey and options.
- Participants are able to identify the range of Deaf access services options available, and when and how these options are utilised.
- Participants understand the role of a speech-to-text interpreter as an accessibility professional.
- Participants are able to understand shorthand theories and apply them to build their own personal shorthand dictionary.
- Participants gain knowledge on meaning-for-meaning and speed-building techniques and are able to apply to their transcription-interpretation work.
Programme Fee
This programme is fully sponsored by The Student Services at Singapore Polytechnic.
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
- Participants are recommended to have a minimum typing speed of 80 words per minute.
Opportunities Upon Programme Completion
Part 1: Mentorship
After completion of the programme, selected participants can enter the mentorship phase (up to 12 hours per mentee, 3-month period). Each mentee will undergo job shadowing, assignment trials and review/consultation sessions with the Equal Dreams team to get personalised feedback and guidance on improving the quality of service.
Part 2: Taking on Paid Assignments
Students will also be assessed during mentorship whether they are suitable to join Equal Dreams as freelancer. This arrangement is not affiliated to Singapore Polytechnic, and you will be directly liaising with Equal Dreams.
Registration
Contact
For enquiries, please contact us at training@equaldreams.sgTrainers’ Profile
Shila, Accessibility Specialist & Service Coordinator
Shila’s free-spirited personality has guided her on a journey of exploring the different sound frequencies in life. She marked her first foray into the Deaf community by learning Singapore Sign Language. In 2016, Shila was part of the team that started the provision of formalised speech-to-text interpretation service.
As a deep generalist, Shila excels in transcribing a diverse range of subjects. Her extensive experience in speech-to-text services across various settings, coupled with her knowledge of accessibility for the Deaf, has enabled her to develop comprehensive shorthand strategies in this evolving field of speech-to-text interpretation. Her professional vision is to grow an interdependent community where meaningful connections are cultivated, where each individual’s strengths are given opportunities to flourish. In doing so, she hopes we can grow as a community towards developing shared resources and skilled professionals to advance accessibility for the Deaf and Blind communities.
Outside of professional accessibility work, Shila is deeply passionate about herbalism and food preservation, and applies her creativity and keenness for knowledge in these personal interests.
Hidayat, Accessibility Specialist & Programme Manager
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 (shout out to Sapir-Whorf). During this period, Hidayat was introduced to languages that was different from what he was used to – sign languages. Using the visual-manual modality for communication, his Deaf lecturer introduced him to the Deaf culture and Singapore Sign Language (SgSL). Years later, Hidayat found himself working with the Deaf community.
Hidayat began with conducting research to support the creation 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.
In his free time, Hidayat nerds out in the world of fantasy and heroes. Hidayat lives vicariously through characters, widening his perspective to understand people better.
