Questions to ask when contracting with an outside TypeWell provider (freelance or agency, on-site or remote)

Before you contract with an individual or agency that provides remote TypeWell services, here are some important questions to ask:

• Can you provide references?

Set-up

• Do you provide the equipment for remote consumers? (e.g., laptops or other reader devices, software, and microphones)
• Do you use TypeWell Web Linking or some other method of streaming the text to the consumer in real time?
• Do you provide demos and/or training for service coordinators and/or deaf consumers who use your remote services?

Pricing

• Is there a minimum charge, such as a 2-hour minimum for a 1-hour class?
• For what length assignments will you team transcribers? (e.g. for difficult assignments or for classes/meetings longer than XX minutes)
• What are the costs of a team for long classes/difficult classes?
• Is there a surcharge for classes over a certain length?
• Are costs higher for math/science or highly technical classes?
• What is the cancellation policy, both for individual classes and for dropping service completely on a mid-term drop-out? (No charge with 24 hour notice is reasonable.)

Transcriber — The particular transcriber's skill level is a key factor in the quality of the service.

• How experienced is the transcriber who will provide remote services?
• Do I have a choice of transcribers?
• Is the transcriber reasonably familiar with specialized class vocabulary?
• Will you guarantee experienced transcribers for math/science or highly technical classes?
• Do your remote transcribers have at least one semester of in-classroom experience?
• Are two transcribers (i.e., a team) provided for long or difficult classes?

Quality Assurance

• How will you ensure that the transcriber can hear the classroom optimally, including other students' comments?
• Do your remote transcribers use the most current version of the TypeWell software?
• How will you provide remote technical support if something goes wrong?

Prep time and Transcript distribution

• What is the protocol for editing and delivering transcripts?
• What prep materials do I need to provide for your transcribers, such as the class syllabus, handouts, or access to special web pages?