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New speech-to-text service opens up access
The new remote service has been devised in close consultation with its first ever client, Myles Nesbitt, a solicitor working for Gloucester City Council.
Myles explains: “I first saw the benefits of court reporting and transcription while I was at law school. Ever since then I’ve been looking for a good quality, cost effective speech-to-text service. Now the technology has moved on and when I joined Gloucester City Council last year I realised the potential was finally there to make it happen.”
Profoundly deaf, Myles currently uses an interpreter to help him take part in the many meetings that come with the territory in a busy council legal department, from ad hoc ‘get togethers’ to full Council meetings.
“The main disadvantage of working with an interpreter in face to face situations is that I have to look at them, and not my other colleagues,” says Myles. “At the same time, I need to take notes, to make sure I don’t miss anything. It all stops me from playing a full part in meetings.”
WordWave’s speech to text service solves this problem, using the latest technology to transmit proceedings down a telephone line to one of its highly trained stenographers, based at the company’s London offices. The stenographer creates a transcript simultaneously, sending it back to Myles’s laptop in a matter of seconds, using a wireless network. This way, Myles can read what’s being said, as it’s being said. He also gets an accurate record of the meeting – useful not just for him but also for the others taking part.
The new service builds on WordWave’s previous speech to text offering, as Business Development Manager Jamie Pearce explains: “We’ve been providing a speech-to-text service for other clients, including BT, DCMS and Ofcom, for several months. However previously, our stenographer had always been present at the meetings being covered. This adds to costs, and can make it difficult to arrange the service at short notice. Now new technology means we can provide the service remotely, for a lower price”
Myles investigated several other providers but chose WordWave because of its speedy, accurate service. He’s also been impressed by its ‘can do’ attitude.
“WordWave has worked closely with me to solve the various technical problems and to make the project happen,” he says. “It’s great to work with people who have such a relaxed and friendly approach, and who, like me, enjoy a challenge.”
The new service is being paid for by the Access to Work scheme, which awards grants for equipment and services to enable disabled people do their jobs. Because Myles applied for a grant within six weeks of joining the council, Access to Work will fund all costs associated with the project.
Myles is convinced there’s huge potential for speech-to-text services within local government – not just to help employees, but also to open up public meetings to residents with hearing impairments. And he’s hoping that once colleagues see his service in action, they’ll all want to try it.
For more information on WordWave’s speech-to-text service contact Jamie Pearce on 020 7421 4006 or at: jamie.pearce@wordwave.co.uk
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