The Basics About Viable Realtime Transcription (VRT)
 
What is Viable Realtime Transcription (VRT)?
Why is VRT service the best in quality?
Who can use VRT service?
Where can clients receive VRT service?
When is VRT service available?
I am behind a Firewall. Will VRT work for me?

The Details About Viable Realtime Transcription (VRT)

Function
How does VRT service work?

Quality
What level of quality is expected from VRT service?

Technical
Why is VRT service remote?
Are there other outputs available for VRT service?
Does the educational institution or employer have to provide anything for VRT service?

Does Viable lease equipment for VRT service?
What if the client's site (i.e. classroom or workplace) does not have access to a phone or Internet jack?
What if there are technical difficulties in using VRT service?

Security
What level of security is expected from VRT service?

Training
Is training required in order to obtain VRT service?

Billing & Payments
What is the hourly rate for VRT service?
Who pays for VRT service?

Registration & Requests
How can I register for VRT service?
What is the policy for requesting VRT service?

[ Back to Top ]

The Basics About VRT

What is Viable Realtime Transcription (VRT)?

Our product -- Viable Realtime Transcription (VRT) -- is a high quality, patent-pending, hi-tech innovative system that integrates existing state-of-the-art technologies to create a uniquely capable, complete, and cost effective solution fostering equal communication access for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing clients in educational, conference, and business environments.

Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing clients can also benefit from VRT if they have other types of special needs. Examples of special needs are Learning Disabilities (LD) or English as a Second Language (ESL). VRT can be optionally used with or without sign language interpreting or oral-aural / cued speech transliterating.

[ Back to Top ]

Why is VRT service best in quality?

We believe that our services are of the highest quality, even though our VRT providers are not on-site. Using high quality audio equipment, we ensure that our VRT providers have equal or better access to sounds in the classroom than on-site transcribers. Providing remote services enables us to have more flexibility in order to match VRT providers according to their subject matter expertise, resulting in a higher quality transcription.

Full Spectrum Support of the Learning Process:
Our product does not simply provide clients with realtime transcription of a lecture. It includes the following additional features that greatly enhance its utility as a learning tool. The full texts of a lecture and faculty / student or co-worker interaction are retained on the Web site for later review at the client’s own pace. Edited transcripts of each session will be available within approximately 24 hours via the Internet. The system includes a Text-to-Speech feature that gives clients the option of participating in question-and-answer sessions, as well as session discussions. The system includes Text Summarization technology that allows a client to select a desired length summary that distills the most important information conveyed by the lecturer. Such summaries can be retained on the client's desktop or laptop computer to provide context or background for future lectures and / or to facilitate review of course content in preparing for quizzes, tests and / or examinations. The system also allows clients to type in and save their own notes related to the lecture.

Superior Service:
Certain aspects of how we have structured our service delivery model are explicitly designed to increase the accuracy and quality of our services. Our product is not dependent on the use of only one particular Automated Speech Recognition (ASR) system. Our product works with varying types of ASR systems. According to the Wall Street Journal, ASR is described as the "wave of the future." As ASR software achieves ever-increasing levels of sophistication (and it is certain to do so), we will continuously upgrade this component of our product. Our product not only includes a standard ASR dictionary but also has glossaries for specialized / technical subject areas. Such glossaries can be customized to mirror the specific course content desired by individual faculty. Our transcribers are carefully screened and trained. Many also have advanced degrees or years of work experience in specific subject areas and every effort is made to match transcriber expertise with our client’s requirements. The manner in which we will staff our planned expansion is explicitly designed to ensure that we maintain the highest possible standards for accuracy of transcriptions and response to client requirements.

[ Back to Top ]

Who can use VRT service?

Although VRT was originally designed specifically for clients in the educational setting, we recognize that there are many other settings in which VRT would be useful and beneficial. In addition to the educational environment, VRT is readily available for clients in business and conference / seminar environments.

Where can clients receive VRT service?

VRT is used in the classroom, conference / seminar sites, work sites and similar environments wherever technologically possible by phone and Internet connectivity.

When is VRT service available?

The VRT service aims to work 24 hours / 7 days. Business hours of VRT service are as follows:

Monday through Friday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)

Other days or hours may be possible upon availability of VRT providers.

[ Back to Top ]

[ Back to Top ]

The Details About VRT

Function

How does VRT service work?

Connectivity Requirements -- In order for VRT to work at the site where you need VRT service, a phone with local or toll-free calling capabilities and a stable Internet connection are required.

Set-up Before Each Session of VRT Service -- Upon arrival at the site, preferably approximately 5 minutes before the start of the session, the client or the regular lecturer dials the assigned phone number. Meanwhile, the client opens up the Web browser software (i.e., Microsoft Internet Explorer) on either a desktop or laptop computer, then goes to the Viable Technologies’ website at www.viabletechnologies.com. There, the client types his / her username and password into the spaces provided, in order to login. Upon logging in, the client will have access previous transcripts and notes, as well as the VRT interface. The VRT interface allows for customization of font size and style and foreground and background color. There is also a vital section at the bottom where clients can see the status of the connection between the client and the VRT provider, and a link at the top which connects to the Text-to-Speech application, allowing for two-way communication.

The Actual 4-Step VRT Process:
1. The lecturer speaks into a lapel microphone which is wirelessly connected to a phone line via a cordless phone.
2. The lecturer's spoken words are transmitted through the phone line to the VRT provider's site.
3. The VRT provider voice-transcribes the lecturer's spoken words into text-captions using Automated Speech Recognition (ASR) hardware and software.
4. The text captions are transmitted through the Internet back to the client's site and displayed on the client's desktop or laptop computer via a Web browser (i.e., Microsoft Internet Explorer) -- all in realtime.

The 4-step VRT process occurs in realtime. Realtime is defined as approximately one to five seconds.

Multiple Speakers -- In a lecture or seminar environment, we expect the lecturer (i.e. professor) to repeat questions and comments from students, so that VRT providers will be able to hear and generate text captions. Repeating comments and questions will not only help VRT providers hear what was said, but will also benefit the rest of the class.

In a discussion or meeting environment, a high quality conference phone should be used, allowing for transcription of all comments made. We expect the participants to speak in an orderly fashion, as VRT providers cannot provide text for more than one speaker at a time.

Downloading Viable Transcripts -- Within 24 hours following the conclusion of each VRT session, a client can download official Viable transcripts in both edited and summarized versions via his / her personal Web-based Viable account, which is accessible 24 hours per day / 7 days per week. Viable transcripts can be saved and organized on the client's Viable account. Viable transcripts are useful for studying, faculty / peer collaboration, and many other vital course-related functions.

[ Back to Top ]

Quality

What level of quality is expected from VRT service?

Viable Technologies, Inc. is committed to providing the highest quality service possible for its clients. With the appropriate materials and preparation, our VRT providers can provide fast and accurate transcription. Most of the errors are homonyms, or words that sound alike. For example, "our" may be spelled "hour," or "red" for "read." Even though some errors may be made during realtime transcription, this is normal during real-time transmission of text, and the client should still be able to understand what is being said. In order to clarify errors during realtime transcription, Viable Technologies will provide clients with an accurate transcript within approximately 24 hours following the conclusion of each VRT session.

[ Back to Top ]

Technical

Why is VRT service remote?

VRT service is a high quality, patent-pending hi-tech innovative system that integrates existing state-of-the-art technologies to create a uniquely capable, complete, and cost effective solution fostering equal communication access for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing clients in educational, conference / seminar and business environments. With Viable Technologies' mission in mind, we determined that we can provide the best possible service anywhere at affordable rates by using remote technology.

When a worker has to travel from job to job like most on-site providers, they lose valuable time, which could be used to earn more money. As a result of this inefficiency, it is necessary for them to charge higher hourly rates.

Even if the schedule is confirmed, there are many factors that may prevent the on-site provider from arriving to the destination on time. Anything from traffic delays, car trouble, parking, or even getting lost on campus can create problems. Because of this, most on-site providers prefer to work at one location such as a courthouse rather than deal with the hassle of traveling. When an on-site provider arrives late, it is very visible and often embarrassing for the client.

Through remote technology, the client does not look any different from other peers because there is no third-party person involved, unless a client optionally uses VRT with a sign language interpreter or an aural-oral / cued speech transliterator. Except for a desktop or laptop computer in front of the client, there is very little that distinguishes the client from others at the site.

[ Back to Top ]

Are there other outputs available for VRT service?

While the desktop or laptop computer is the most commonly used output for VRT service, you can combine other accessories, depending on your needs. For instance, an LCD projector can be used with the desktop or laptop computer so the captions can be projected onto a screen. This is usually ideal if more than one client in the session can benefit from VRT.

[ Back to Top ]

Does the educational institution or employer have to provide anything for VRT service?

The educational institution is responsible for providing Internet and phone jacks, a computer, and audio equipment in the classroom. Most accredited colleges and universities have classrooms with the required jacks already in place in some classrooms. The first thing a support service counselor has to do is identify if the jacks are already in place and activated in the classroom where the course will be held. When this is done, the necessary equipment needs to be procured and assigned to the student. We also ask that the lecturer (i.e. professor) provide course materials such as textbooks, handouts, vocabulary keywords and the syllabus prior to the start of the class. The office of support services is expected to work closely with the institution and Viable in advance, usually right after pre-registration, to prepare equipment and any other considerations in the classrooms.

[ Back to Top ]

Does Viable lease equipment for VRT service?

Viable does not lease equipment; however, we can provide equipment recommendations, based upon our testing and experience.

What if the classroom does not have access to a phone or Internet jack?

If the classroom does not have the jacks required in order for VRT service to work, it is recommended that the educational institution makes technologically acceptable modifications like adding jacks or relocating the course site to a different classroom that has the jacks in place. Additionally, a phone jack in another location may be used as well, provided that it is within the specified range of the cordless phone. The use of VoIP may be considered in a room with no phone jacks and only internet access. See the guideline for more details.

[ Back to Top ]

What if there are technical difficulties in using VRT service?

Technical difficulties rarely occur because we use only reliable, high quality equipment. However, contingency plans ensure that the student has a Viable transcript of the session in case technical difficulties do occur. More than 90% of all technical difficulties are caused by hardware failure. Please format the hard drive on the desktop or laptop computer as provided by the educational institution or the employer. Clients are not encouraged to add software that compromises performance to the point of hardware or software failure. When a hardware failure occurs, the phone line should be left open, so that our VRT providers can still provide a Viable transcript within 24 hours.

For less than 10% of all technical difficulties caused by a number of problems, including human error and damaged audio equipment or a malfunctioning cordless phone, we encourage the student to activate either an audio or digital voice recorder. It is recommended that clients use a high quality digital voice recorder, so that the contents can be easily transferred to a desktop or laptop computer and sent to us by e-mail; a Viable transcript can then be produced within 24 hours from that recording. If an audio recorder is used, the tape can be mailed directly to Viable Technologies for transcribing.

[ Back to Top ]

Security

What level of security is expected from VRT service?

We strive to maintain a high level of security in order to protect our users. Please review our privacy statement / terms of use for more information.

Training

Is training required in order to obtain and use VRT service?

There is no training required for using the VRT service. We have made every effort to make the system intuitive for everyone using the VRT service. In order for our system to work, only a few simple steps are required. After registration, we will provide instructions for connecting to VRT service. For your convenience, please review the guideline.

For our web interface, we also provide an online tutorial that will provide the client with a step-by-step understanding of how everything works. If there are still any questions about using our web site or the equipment, please contact us at support@viabletechnologies.com.

[ Back to Top ]

Billing & Payments

What is the hourly rate for VRT service?

We do not charge any hidden fees for our service. Our flat hourly rate includes:

- Remote realtime transcription during the session.
- An edited transcript within 24 hours following conclusion of the session.
- Downloadable Viable transcripts and notes for clients.

Please email us at info@viabletechnologies.com or submit an online request for information if you are interested in receiving our rate sheet, and we would be happy to send it to you. Please specify if you are interested in using VRT for educational or business purposes.

Requests made with less than 72 hours notice will be subject to availability and surcharges will be applied. In the event of a cancellation, Viable must be notified 24 hours prior to the session or the session will be billed as usual.

Who pays for VRT service?

The educational institution and the employer are responsible for payment for all costs related to obtaining VRT service. Employers are subject to certain ADA specifications. Please check with your employer for more information.

[ Back to Top ]

Registration & Requests

How can I register for VRT service?

Please leave your contact information and one of our representatives will contact you. Or, you may also email us at info@viabletechnologies.com. We will be happy to guide you step by step towards providing you with our service.

What is the policy for requesting VRT service?

Viable Technologies requires at least seventy-two (72) hours advance notice for a VRT service request, though we do welcome, but do not guarantee, last minute assignments. A one (1) hour minimum charge will be applied to all assignments, even if the VRT service is not needed for the full hour. The full scheduled time will be invoiced for any cancellations made within twenty-four (24) business hours of the scheduled assignment. VRT service extending beyond the scheduled time will be billed in one (1) hour increments.

As voicewriting for periods longer than two (2) hours is harmful to the physical well-being of VRT providers, and fatigue affects the quality of the transcription, any assignment lasting more than two hours may require more than one VRT provider. A very brief break in the session may be necessary in order to change VRT providers. This ensures delivery of quality services.

Confirmations will be sent via e-mail to confirm receipt of request, changes to the request, and any unfilled assignments.

[ Back to Top ]