CART Services For Accessible Events

Any professional in the event space knows that reaching attendance targets is paramount, but securing a collaborative, diverse group of attendees is just as important as the number of tickets sold. If you are hosting a conference on climate change, you want the best and brightest minds involved, and you will then need to be ready to accommodate individuals who speak a multitude of languages as well as people with differing abilities.

In the past, it was hard to accommodate different languages, hearing impairments, and vision disabilities all in one event. But now, thanks to CART services, it is possible to create an event space where everyone can thrive – no matter what their needs are.

CART stands for Communication Access Real-time Translation. It relies on advanced technology to absorb the information shared by an event presenter, translate that information into a more accessible format, and disseminate it to event attendees. CART services can be used for virtual, hybrid and live events.

At first glance, many event experts think that CART services can only benefit attendees with vision impairments, but CART has a much broader application. In order to get the most out of CART services, we recommend partnering with an experienced AV team. Here at AV-CANADA, our team continues to come up with new ways to implement CART services, creating accessible events for all.

Understanding the Specifics of CART Services

A high level of dedication goes into making events more accessible, and some of those considerations fall under CART services, and others do not. Below is a brief breakdown of what is and is nog included in CART services.

The items below commonly fall under the umbrella of CART services:

• Realtime language translation sent to attendee phones, tablets or other devices.
• Automated Speak Recognition (ASR) which listens to a speaker and transcribes their words into a text format.
• Real-time text to audio translation via individual devices, for attendees with vision impairments.
• Closed captioning services using technologies like Worldy or Streamtext.
• Event webpages with auto word conversion capabilities that can be turned into visual closed captioning or auditory playback.
• Low-lighting and/or low-volume rooms that are more comfortable for attendees who require special accommodations.
• Planning presentations with accessible text, colors, and user-friendly backgrounds.
• Planning accessible breakout events that allow everyone to participate. These rooms can be planned by a specific accessibility requirement, by the ability to communicate with individual user devices or by a combination of both.

On the other hand, there are plenty of things that can lead to more accessible events that do not fall under CART services. AV-CANADA works directly with you to share their expertise and find solutions to all your event accessibility requirements.

• Ensuring accessible space setups with ramps, wide aisles, and ADA seating.
• Working with event catering staff to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies.

Who Benefits from CART Services?

It is important to understand how these accessible services can support attendees with varying needs.

Attendees with Auditory Needs

For attendees who are deaf, those who rely on cochlear implants or hearing aids, or who struggle to process verbal information quickly; CART services can make live events much more enjoyable, productive, and welcoming. For example:

1. Automated closed captioning can be sent to attendees’ phones or tablets, helping them stay attuned with what is happening on stage without needing an interpreter.
2. Transcriptions of the event are easy to distribute during each speaker or breakout session. For technical events, this is a fantastic way to support individuals with auditory processing disorders who may want to re-read the material to solidify their understanding.

Attendees with Visual Impairments

Up until now, events have been very challenging for individuals with vision impairments. They cannot always access the same level of information as other attendees. Thanks to CART services, these attendees can benefit from your event just as much as their peers.

1. If an attendee cannot see the text displayed on the screen or used in a slideshow, the text can be sent to their device directly, allowing them to see it up close. If they are visually impaired, the content can be read aloud by their individual device.
2. Sometimes, visually impaired guests have trouble processing content when certain font or colors are used. Our AV team can help event planners avoid these pitfalls, ensuring all attendees have equal access to the information being shared.
3. Websites are often visual experiences, but for those who have a hard time visually, CART services can ensure event pages make it easy to get information through audio or text to voice services.

Attendees Requiring Custom Accommodations

It is crucial that we understand and respect each individual and their own unique requirements. For example, if a person has 20/20 vision and perfect hearing, they may still need CART services to get the most out of your event. For example:

1. Someone with ADHD may have a hard time processing all of the sensory input in the main event room. AV-CANADA makes it easy to incorporate low-sensory rooms into the space. These are equipped with special lighting and sound, so guests who need to be able to focus solely on the content are able to do so.
2. Speakers and guests from around the world may not speak the same language as the majority of attendees. Instead of being excluded, CART services make it possible to offer translation services in real-time.
3. Remote CART services are specifically used to engage attendees who cannot join in-person. As long as virtual guests have access to the internet, they can tap into the same accessibility benefits as everyone else.

Transforming Events Through Accessibility

When an event is planned with accessibility in mind, it opens up the event to more diverse audiences. By considering the needs of attendees and speakers who may have visual impairments, auditory processing challenges, or other specific requirements; event managers can ensure inclusivity which is a critical component of overall event success.

CART services can be used virtually, in-person or at hybrid events. The accommodations that fall under this category are vast and we are happy to share our insight with you. For education, guidance, technical support, creative problem-solving and more, the AV-CANADA team can help make your event fully accessible.