Happy Holidays from ATSP!
As we enter the New Year, ATSP's Board would like to wish you all a happy and safe holiday season! We are excited about some of 2018's newest member benefits, such as the ATSP Job Board and our Code of Professional Conduct, and we are looking forward to more great things in 2019 as we continue to grow and support the speech-to-text community!
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DMCA Copyright Exemption Explained
As mentioned in the last ATSP newsletter, the U.S. Copyright Office granted ATSP's request for exemptions to Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a major piece of advocacy that empowers disability services professionals to circumvent technological protections measures when providing captioned media for students with disabilities. ATSP owes a big thank you to past ATSP President Shannon Cowling for her tireless efforts spearheading this piece of advocacy and the Technology Law & Policy Clinic at Colorado Law for their strong representation.
So, what does this new exemption mean for speech-to-text professionals?
In granting the exemption, the Copyright Office largely agreed with ATSP's argument that adding captions and descriptions to video does not constitute an infringement on U.S. copyright law. The exemptions this case allow for "circumnavigation of technological measures protecting motion pictures (including television shows and videos) on DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and via digital transmissions to add captions and/or audio description for students with disabilities." However, there are a few important caveats to note as follows:
- This exemption is limited to cases where captioning or described video is "created as a necessary accommodation for a student or students with disabilities under a federal or state disability law."
- This exemption is limited to "for-profit and nonprofit educational institutions, as well as K-12 institutions, colleges, and universities."
- Educational institutions must first make a reasonable effort to ensure that an accessible version of the video does not already exist on the market. However, it is not expected for institutions to "...spend exorbitant fees, or wait months for an accessible version to arrive from a seller. If an institution determines, after a reasonable search of available platforms such as Amazon.com or Netflix, that it must create an accessible version as a necessary accommodation for a student with disabilities, then it may proceed."
- Accessible versions of copyrighted material that is distributed to students or stored by an institution must be done so in a way that reasonably prevents unauthorized further dissemination of the work.
This exemption is a big win for disability service providers and the consumers they serve. However, it is important that speech-to-text providers consult with the educational institution requesting accessible media before circumventing any copyright laws, to ensure that the aforementioned rules are followed in order to preserve eligibility for exemption.
For a full reading of the exemption please view the following PDF (p.89): Section 1201 Rulemaking or consult the Samuelson-Glushko Technology Law & Policy Clinic Blog.
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Please note: this blog entry provides general information but should not be interpreted as legal advice.
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Personal Insurance Options for Speech-to-Text Providers
Being a speech-to-text provider can be a big responsibility, especially for freelance service providers, so it's nice knowing that you are covered from personal liability. ATSP has partnered with Insurance Bee to offer ATSP members a range of insurance options such as general liability insurance, business personal property insurance, and professional liability insurance/errors and omissions. If you are new to the speech-to-text field and looking for coverage, check out the ATSP page on Insurance Bee!
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Linda Brink
For December's Conversation Street, ATSP is pleased to feature Linda Brink. Linda has been working for the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) as a speech-to-text provider since 2007.
"Five Burning Questions!"
1. How did you get into the speech-to-text field? What drew you to this profession?
I got into the speech-to-text field when I saw an ad in the local penny-saver. Are penny-savers a national thing? Well, if not, they're free small newspapers that feature many local business ads, articles, games, and classified ads. The ad was for a real-time captionist at RIT. I knew I was good at typing and spelling because I had done medical transcription for many years, so I decided to apply. I have been working at RIT since 2007. What also drew me to answer the ad was the fact that RIT is a prestigious university with great benefits for employees.
2. What values do you (or would you) look for in a speech-to-text agency or company?
I value a company/college that is responsive to the needs of speech-to-text workers. Things like making sure equipment is in good working order and internet connections are reliable--a company or agency that will advocate for you.
3. In your opinion, what are the most important issues facing the speech-to-text profession?
One of the most important issues facing speech to text workers I would say is the risk of injury to hands. I've been very fortunate to have no problems with pain in my hands or wrists. It's important to maintain good health with exercise and proper stretching. Another issue is the possibility of automated speech to text technology. It won't work in many situations, but the possibility for improvement of that technology is there.
4.What is one thing you would like to share or say to the larger ATSP community?
I would say, to the larger community of speech-to-text workers, practice all you can! I think practice made me better over the years. Be comfortable with the program and your personal dictionaries or personal abbreviation lists. In class, focus on the important sentences, and don't worry so much about fluff or unnecessary words. Have fun! You will learn a lot and you'll get to be in some very interesting classes.
5. As a speech-to-text provider, who inspires you or motivates you to do your best?
Who motivates or inspires me to do my best? The students motivate me to do my best because they rely on our work to get the important facts from the professor. So often they are very appreciative of the work we do.
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Purchasing Last-Minute Christmas Gifts? Support ATSP with Amazon Smile.
Christmas is only days away! Still looking for those pesky last-minute Christmas gifts for that certain someone who is just possible to shop for? If you shop online through Amazon, consider donating to ATSP through the AmazonSmile program.
AmazonSmile offers the exact same services as regular Amazon with the same products, prices, and features. However, for every eligible purchase, Amazon will donate 0.5% to a charity of your choice without any extra expense to you.
So, don't forget to link your Amazon account to support ATSP on eligible purchases from Amazon. It's easy, it's free, and it supports a good cause.
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