Interested in becoming a CART Provider

[Anthony D. Frisolone]

Hi everyone. I'm currently an official court reporter in federal court and I'm looking to expand my practice to providing CART. I'm a CRR and I'm currently studying for the CART provider's exam that NCRA gives. Any advice on how to start, anyone I should perhaps talk to? I live in New York City, so if you're from the area -- even if you're not -- any advice would be appreciated. Thanks a lot.

[Lauren Deerman]

Hi! I am a CART Provider in Alabama at a University. I would be glad to help if I can. Do you have any specific questions?

[Anthony D. Frisolone]

Hi Lauren, thanks for replying to this post. First, a little about my backgroud. I am a federal official, CRR, RDR. I have been an official both state and federal for over 15 years now and I'm getting a little burnt out. I have had an interest in CART even before there was a term for it because my aunt was principal of a school here in New York for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. This was when I was still in reporting school, around '93, '94, and I saw a potential for what we do as reporters and realtime; but life took me on a different career path, and so I've been an official since late 1994. I loe realtime and I have this side that wants to help people more than seeing them get locked up. Enough about me, however. Here are my questions:

1. Should I start by taking a sensitivity training course? Not that I'm insensitive but there are nuances in Deaf culture that I have read about and I don't want to offend anyone.
2. How deeply should I know ASL? Should I take a course to become conversational in it?
3. How difficult is it to get employment?
4. Is it enough to earn a good living on or should I also suppliment CART with other reporting assignments?
5. What are your hours like? I see you work at a univeristy, so I would assume you have time off in the summer and around the various holiday breaks.

Thanks for your help in advance.