The Professional Association Representing
Speech-To-Text Reporters

Speech-to-Text Reporters (STTRs) provide professional communication support for deaf and hard of hearing people. AVSTTR, the Association of Speech-to-Text Reporters, was created to offer support and guidance to our professional members, to share learning through the exchange of ideas and experiences and to promote training. We aim to raise public awareness of our profession and to promote equal access to communication in English for deaf and hard of hearing people.

The Princess Royal addresses a Hearing Link charity dinner
Photo: Matt Leete

STTRs listen to what is being said and simultaneously convert this to text on a screen. This is not a précis or a summary but a verbatim, i.e. word-for-word, account. This enables a deaf or hard of hearing person to follow exactly what is being said and to participate fully. There are no gaps to fill in, no guesswork; every word spoken is there in front of you. In addition, where relevant, the STTR will indicate environmental sounds, such as laughter or an interruption by a mobile phone.

Speech-to-Text is used at a wide variety of events and meetings. An STTR may work with a person on a one-to-one basis at a work meeting or training course, a medical appointment or even during wedding speeches. The person will seat themselves close to the laptop of the STTR where they will have a clear view of the text appearing, word for word. STT may also be used at conferences and public debates, where the text would be projected to a large screen or screens so that the whole audience can see it.

The Equality Act 2010 sets out certain situations where there is a duty on employers and service providers to make "reasonable adjustments", which could include the provision of STT. Read more.

You may be eligible for Access to Work funding to pay for STT in the workplace. Read more.

Students: your University/College Disability Officer will be able to advise you about Disabled Students Allowance for funding of Speech-to-Text in the classroom.

High speed internet now allows Speech-to-Text to be provided remotely, where appropriate. The STTR, working from home, will listen in to a meeting over a phone link or Skype and will use secure screenshare software to enable someone in a different location to view the text produced on their own PC/laptop/iPad etc. This works best for smaller meetings.

For more information on Speech-to-Text click here to download our FAQs

Book a Reporter

All our STTRs here are Registered with the National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD).

What does this mean ↓

This means their skills have been independently tested; they have undergone Deaf Awareness Training to at least Level 1; they must adhere to a Professional Code of Conduct and are CRB checked. Registration is maintained via Continuing Professional Development. By April 2013 all must have Public Indemnity Insurance in place. Should you not be satisfied with the service received from an STTR, you should first of all feed back directly to the STTR concerned. If you are still unhappy, the NRCPD have a complaints procedure. See www.nrcpd.org.uk

Use the booking form below to fill in as much information about the booking as possible and the form will go out via email to all our Registered STTRs.

Alternatively, you can contact any of our STTRs individually. As there are so few STTRs in the UK, many travel extensively to areas where there is no provision. We have indicated the very broad areas North and South (of England) or Wales or Ireland where they are located.

Important: Please download the files below and read carefully the following information before making your booking request. important-information.doc
Standards-of-Service-August-2012.doc

Your Name *

Your Email *

Location

Date

Type of event

Start time

End time

Lunch/ break times

Number of service users (if known)

Projection to big screen (Please note, this equipment is provided by the venue)
noyes

Reporters Required (for most all day bookings 2 STTRs are required)

Is this booking funded by Access to Work?
noyes

Please provide any other information which may be useful

PLEASE NOTE that by making this booking request you are stating that you have read and agree to the following points:

Once a booking is confirmed, the contract is between the STTR and the booker in the first instance, and not Access to Work (AtW) or other third party.

If an STTR needs to be added to an internal payment system, this needs to be arranged and completed prior to the date of the booking. Purchase Order Numbers should be provided to the STTR prior to the booking taking place.

All invoices should be processed by the booker immediately upon receipt.

It is the booker’s responsibility to ensure that the STTR’s invoice is paid on time, in line with the STTR’s payment T&Cs.

For AtW funded bookings, it is the booker’s responsibility to ensure the STTR’s invoices are processed upon receipt and that all relevant paperwork is completed and claims submitted to AtW straight away.

If their invoice is not paid on time, all STTRs reserve the right to impose statutory interest and compensation for debt recovery as set out in the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 amended by the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations 2013.

All STTRs reserve the right to withdraw from future bookings for the same client if payment for previous bookings is not made on time. In this circumstance, the STTR is not responsible for finding a replacement STTR.