CART Captioning Services
Live CART captioning for universities, classrooms, conferences and public events in Washington, on-site or remote, from a court reporting firm since 1980.
or call 253-627-6401
At B&A Litigation Services, we provide professional CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) services to support accessibility and inclusion in educational and public settings. CART delivers live, word-for-word text of spoken communication in real time, allowing participants to read what is being said as it happens.
B&A offers CART in many areas including, but not limited to, one-on-one university support, large-scale public events, and legal proceedings, where accurate real-time access to spoken content is essential.
Two weeks’ notice
To book CART
In person or remote
Platform confirmed before the first session
Legal proceedings too
For a party, witness or attorney who is deaf or hard of hearing
Universities and events
One-on-one support and large public events
Part of B&A’s court reporting services
What Is CART?
CART is a live transcription service designed to provide immediate access to spoken communication for individuals who are hard of hearing, have auditory processing differences, or benefit from visual reinforcement of speech. Unlike closed captioning, which is usually applied to recorded or broadcast content, CART is written live by a trained captioner, with text appearing instantly on a screen, laptop, tablet, or projection display.
CART can be provided in person or remotely and is commonly used in classrooms, lectures, meetings, conferences, and public forums.
B&A has provided court reporting services in Washington since 1980. CART draws on the same skill: writing spoken language as text, word for word, as it is spoken.
CART for Universities and Educational Settings
B&A works with colleges and universities to provide one-on-one CART support for students who require real-time access to lectures, discussions, and academic events. Our CART providers are experienced in educational environments and are skilled at handling fast-paced dialogue, academic terminology, and interactive classroom settings.
CART enables students to fully participate in their education by providing:
- Immediate access to lecture content
- Support for notetaking and comprehension
- Greater independence in classroom participation
- Equal access to spoken information
Our team understands the importance of discretion, professionalism, and adaptability in academic settings and works closely with institutions to ensure a smooth, supportive experience for students and faculty alike.
CART for Large-Scale Events and Town Halls
In addition to individual support, B&A provides CART services for large public events, such as:
- Town halls and community forums
- Conferences and conventions
- Public meetings and panels
- Corporate or institutional presentations
- Campus-wide events and lectures
For these settings, CART text can be displayed on screens, monitors, or personal devices, allowing attendees to follow along in real time. This is especially valuable in large or acoustically challenging venues.
CART in Legal Proceedings
B&A also provides CART in legal proceedings. When a party, witness or attorney is deaf or hard of hearing, a CART captioner writes the proceeding as it happens so that person can read it in full, in the room or through a remote connection. Because B&A covers depositions, hearings, arbitrations and trials as a court reporting firm, the captioner and the court reporter can be booked together on one request.
CART needs two weeks’ notice, so tell us as early as the date is known.
Skilled Providers and Reliable Technology
CART requires advanced realtime skills, strong language proficiency, and the ability to deliver accurate text under live conditions. B&A’s CART providers have experience adapting to a wide range of speaking styles, accents, and subject matter.
We work closely with clients in advance to coordinate logistics, technology requirements, and display preferences to ensure a seamless experience from start to finish. For remote CART, the platform depends on the provider assigned to your session. We confirm it with you, along with the audio source and how the text will be displayed, before the first session.
CART and Realtime Reporting
CART and realtime reporting use the same live-writing skill for different purposes. Realtime gives attorneys a live feed of testimony during a deposition or trial, followed by a certified transcript. CART provides communication access for a person who needs to read what is being said. In a legal proceeding both can be running: realtime for counsel in the room, CART for a participant who is deaf or hard of hearing.
The Same Standards as Our Court Reporting
At B&A, CART services are delivered with the same standards of accuracy, professionalism, and reliability that define our court reporting and realtime work. Although CART is not a legal record, we approach it with the same level of care and respect for the importance of accurate communication.
Our goal is to support accessibility in environments where clear, immediate understanding makes a meaningful difference.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CART captioner?
A CART captioner is a trained professional who writes spoken language as text in real time, usually on a stenographic machine, so a person who is deaf or hard of hearing can read what is said as it is said. The text appears on a laptop, tablet, screen or projection display, in the room or through a remote connection.
What is the difference between CART and closed captioning?
CART is written live by a person, word for word, as an event, class or meeting happens, and is focused on access for the people present or connected. Closed captioning usually refers to captions attached to recorded or broadcast video. Some live events use both; CART is the live, human-written service.
Can CART be provided remotely?
Yes. B&A provides CART in person or remotely. For remote CART, the captioner listens through an audio connection and the text appears on each reader’s device or on a shared screen. The platform depends on the CART provider assigned to your session, and we confirm it, the audio source and the display method with you before the first session.
How far in advance should we book CART?
Two weeks. That applies to a single event and to a semester of one-on-one university support, and it is what lets us secure a CART provider for your dates. For a public event, send the date, venue, length and display plan with the request. If your date is closer than two weeks, call anyway and we will tell you honestly what we can do.
Can you provide CART for a deposition or hearing?
Yes. B&A provides CART in legal proceedings for a party, witness or attorney who is deaf or hard of hearing, alongside the certified court reporter making the record. Book it two weeks ahead where you can, and tell us whether the person will attend in the room or remotely so we can plan the display.
Request CART Services
Send us your course schedule, event details or proceeding date through our scheduling form, or call 253-627-6401 or toll-free 1-800-649-2034. Either route reaches the same scheduling team. Please allow two weeks’ notice.