Just 10 years ago, it was very difficult for event managers to create events tailored to each attendee’s specific needs. In the last few years, with the emergence of CART services, this is achievable and easier.
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services address the visual needs, auditory needs and processing needs of every person involved with an event. These services can provide accessible translation for individuals who speak different languages; they can help visually impaired attendees access presentation information at the same level as non-visually impaired attendees; they can even ensure low-sensory rooms for guests with ADHD or autism.
To get a better understanding of all the ways that CART services can enhance the accessibility of your event, read our first blog – CART Services for Accessible Events. Once you’ve made the decision to tailor your event to the needs of your attendees, there are a few things to consider. CART relies on technology and proper implementation of that technology and there are some limitations that are important to understand. However, when implemented correctly, CART services can actually make your event more cost-effective.
Let our team take you through these considerations to ensure that the implementation of CART services is optimized.
CART Services & Technology
In order to offer broad accessibility through CART services, technology is critical. Without tools that can listen to spoken word, transcribe it to text, and translate that text into the appropriate format, CART wouldn’t be possible. At many events, live transcribers and translators are on site, but CART takes their work and turns it into video or audio format, enhancing the accessibility of information throughout the event. Advanced technology is then used to distribute the information in a customized format depending on each attendee’s needs.
Let’s say you have a few attendees who need the content translated into a different language, a few attendees who are hard of hearing and need the text sent to their device, so they see it visually, and a few attendees who are blind, so they need to be able to use voice-to-text technology in order to get the full picture. How do you accommodate all of their needs at once?
With the tech available today, we can use QR codes to send the proper accommodated formats to attendees depending on their needs. This provides a tailored experience to every single event participant. As technology continues to advance, the possibilities of CART services will expand as well. The user experience will get even more seamless, the number of translation options will grow and two-way communication will become the norm.
Understanding Cost
Often, event planners are working within limited budgets or don’t plan for accessible solutions, but CART services are much more affordable than they appear to be. While it may seem that the technology and resources needed to curate an individual experience for every attendee is too pricey, CART services can actually cut down on overall expenses.
With CART Services, it’s easier than ever to offer virtual event options, reducing travel fees for speakers and attendees alike. From the event side, those reduced travel fees for speakers can make a major difference in the overall cost your organization incurs. Additionally, you won’t need to secure additional locations for custom room needs; CART services can bring tailored solutions to your attendees’ phones or equip an existing room at the venue to address specific needs. Lastly, if accessibility is a priority for your team, it can sometimes become a limiting factor when selecting venues, but that’s not the case anymore. Our team at AV-CANADA can help make any venue accessible with stage ramps and adjustable podiums, opening the venue selection process.
As long as you work with an experienced AV team, utilizing the perks of CART services is a painless process. We can get everything set up in a short timeframe, reducing the number of manual labor hours needed to create a fully inclusive event. You won’t have to hire multiple speakers to address audiences of different language backgrounds; the need for expensive interpreters will diminish, and accommodating diverse processing needs won’t require a massive event overhaul.
Reduced expenses aren’t the only financial benefit of CART services. With a wider range of attendees able to benefit from your event, you’ll have more people sign up. Every event planner knows that more registrations mean higher event revenue.
CART Services Limitations
It’s no secret that CART services have transformed events – both for attendees and event management teams. Very rapidly, these technologies are changing how we address accessibility needs and think about inclusion. However, CART services are still fairly new, and there are a few limitations that exist today.
- If translation and transcription services are only done using computer software in the back end, two-way communication is limited. This means it can be difficult for attendees to ask questions in an accessible way or get clarification on the information they’re receiving. If moderators work together with the technology, they can add a human touch, opening channels for two-way communication throughout the event.
- As with any technology, errors are a possibility. If the Wi-Fi goes down or if someone’s device is being finnicky, the effectiveness of CART services is limited. Make sure to have technology experts – like an experienced AV team – on site to mitigate these risks and keep everything running properly. For instance, we can provide portable LTE network systems to prevent any issues in dead spots or low signal areas of an event.
This is just the beginning of how CART services are changing the event landscape. As the technologies used get more advanced, more benefits will materialize. In the meantime, it’s important to understand the limitations of CART services so event planners know what support they can offer.
Working With AV Experts
If you’re ready to expand your event’s reach and impact, it’s time to consider CART services. Implementing CART services requires a lift, but with an experienced AV team leading the way, you can access the benefits of event customizations without absorbing too many additional costs. At AV-CANADA, we are proud to help make events more accessible and inclusive.
We’ll take care of all the technology needs, help presenters and event coordinators understand how to utilize CART services, and provide support throughout the entirety of the event. Our top priority is to make it easy for you to plan an unforgettable, inclusive event.
