844-897-3935For those seeking remote transcription services, TypeWell can help match you with the most appropriate provider. Visit typewell.com/request to get started.
As many of you know, TypeWell has been a forerunner in providing training to foster a new generation of adept transcribers to serve the classroom communication access industry. From 2018 to 2024, we expanded our role by offering direct remote transcription services, bridging service gaps, scaling up during the pandemic, and assisting institutions grappling with transcriber shortages.
In 2024, we decided to shift away from direct services and refocus on our core services, providing professional training and ongoing technical support for our software platform. In line with our dedication to maintaining a transparent and collaborative relationship with all our stakeholders, we compiled an FAQ that sheds light on this evolution. Our objective remains: to facilitate informed decisions, ensure optimal service quality, and nurture a supportive ecosystem with our partners.
Why did TypeWell start providing direct services?
Around 2016, we began noticing service gaps as fewer educational institutions and agencies sponsored training for their own transcribers. We also saw a unique opportunity to launch our “train-to-hire” program. In this program, we funded the training of transcribers in cities where shortages were the worst, recouping some of the cost through temporary service contracts with schools. This continued until our newly-trained transcribers were fully mentored, experienced, and prepared for direct employment.
How did TypeWell navigate its dual role as both the sole provider of TypeWell software/training and a direct service "agency"?
Our intention was not to compete with but to complement the services provided by other companies and institutions. Nevertheless, we acknowledged the potential for conflicts of interest and navigated each new opportunity carefully and thoughtfully. After all, our business has relied on long-term relationships with those stakeholders, many of which have existed for decades.
In alignment with ethical business practices, we have maintained a strict policy of transparency and open communication. When other companies’ clients mistakenly contacted us, thinking we were their service provider, we immediately referred them back to their established agency or vendor.
Our foundational mission centers on education and fostering a community of skilled transcribers. With this in mind, we contracted only transcribers who had at least three years of experience in the field. This allowed training sponsors (employers) ample time to recoup their investment in training new transcribers and ensured that we were not siphoning off newly-trained talent.
Why did TypeWell stop providing direct services?
Over the course of Spring 2022 and Fall 2023, we noticed a decline in requests for our remote services. We had contracts with a subset of customers with a significant but temporary need for remote services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. As campuses reopened, it was natural for those customers to transition back to providing on-site services. Notably, we were the only agency to experience this decline in requests, while other providers had larger and more diverse customer bases.
Rather than shift our business model to on-site services or compete with other agencies for remote business, we decided to return to our core mission. We will focus on training new TypeWell transcribers, expanding continuing education opportunities for seasoned transcribers, and providing technical support for our software and streaming text platform.
What's Next?
This transition marks a return to our roots at TypeWell. By focusing on our core strengths, we are better positioned to support the growth and development of skilled transcribers and enhance the tools and services that underpin their success. The demand for quality transcription services remains significant, and there is ample room for multiple providers to flourish.
We are grateful for the trust and support of our partners and remain committed to excellence and innovation in the communication access industry. While we acknowledge the uncertainties that evolving AI/ASR technology brings, we feel more motivated than ever to support the existing community of transcribers and agencies as these changes unfold.
For those seeking remote transcription services, you can directly request services by visiting typewell.com/request. We will match you with the most appropriate provider.