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HOW TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR VERBATIM REPORTER
The Reporter should be positioned near the main speakers so as to be
able to hear every spoken word clearly. It also assists to be able to
see the speaker’s face; even hearing people lip-read to a large
extent.
- Correct seating is very important for the reporter and a chair without
arms, and also, if possible, of adjustable height should be
provided for the Reporter.
- Make sure that there is a standard 13A power point near to the
Reporter’s position in the meeting room.
- If the assignment is a conference try to ensure that any workshops
the user is attending take place in the main hall to ensure the
Reporter is not spending time setting up and packing away equipment
many times within the day.
- If the Palantype is to be projected on to a large screen via a data
projector, ensure there are 2 separate tables for the Reporter and the
projector with a long output lead. A Reporter’s job is difficult
enough without trying to hear over the noisy fan of a data projector.
- In large conferences where a public address system is used, the
quality of the transcript is improved immeasurably by the provision of
headphones with a direct feed into the PA system.
- The Reporter will need a small table for his / her laptop.
- There will also need to be additional tables for any external
monitors or projectors that are used.
- Verbatim Reporters do get tired and when they get tired their
accuracy decreases. Therefore, it is essential that there should be frequent
short breaks during the day, at least every 1–1˝ hours.
- The Chairperson should ensure that the discussion is disciplined.
Verbatim Reporters can only report one person at a time. Although
hearing people can follow the gist of people talking at the same time,
the Reporter is trying to signal the name of a new speaker before they
speak, the mood of the meeting, punctuate the speech and the Reporter
is trying to get down every word – not just the gist.
- Humorous asides from budding ventriloquists should be avoided.
- Deaf people’s access is compromised if a Chairperson does not
control a meeting adequately if the Reporter cannot report all
speech.
- Advise hearing people on what the equipment is and what the Reporter
is doing to avoid unnecessary interruptions. Also, ensure they realise
it is not for the purposes of taking "evidence" and will not
be used against them; it is merely an aid to their colleague’s
participation.
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