Introduction
For over three decades, Accurate Realtime (ARI) has worked alongside the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) to support communication accessibility across Canada. This long-standing relationship, dating back to the early 1990s, reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that people who are hard of hearing can fully participate in meetings, events, and everyday communication.
Through consistent delivery of CART captioning services, ARI has helped CHHA provide clear, real-time access to spoken information in a wide range of settings.
About the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA)
The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who are hard of hearing.
Mission and Role
CHHA focuses on:
- Promoting accessibility and inclusion for individuals with hearing loss
- Advocating for communication access rights across Canada
- Providing education, resources, and support networks
- Raising awareness about hearing health and accessibility barriers
The organization operates through a network of chapters, provincial branches, and national initiatives, serving individuals at different stages of hearing loss.
Key Services
CHHA supports the hard of hearing community through:
- Educational workshops and seminars
- Peer support groups and community programs
- National and regional conferences
- Advocacy for accessible communication in workplaces, healthcare, and public services
Its work plays a central role in shaping accessibility standards and public understanding of hearing loss in Canada.
CART Captioning Services Provided by Accurate Realtime
Accurate Realtime has been a consistent provider of CART captioning services for CHHA since the early 1990s. CART, or Communication Access Realtime Translation, converts spoken language into text instantly, allowing participants to read along in real time.
Scope of Services
ARI has supported CHHA across a wide range of settings, including:
- Board meetings
- National and regional conferences
- Workshops and training sessions
- Public events and community gatherings
In each case, the goal is the same: to ensure that individuals who are hard of hearing have immediate, accurate access to spoken communication.
Practical Impact
CART captioning enables:
- Full participation in discussions and decision-making
- Clear understanding of complex or technical content
- Reduced communication fatigue compared to lip-reading or amplification alone
- Inclusion in both in-person and virtual environments
This level of access is especially important in professional and organizational contexts, where missing information can directly affect engagement and outcomes.
Shared Values and Organizational Alignment
The long-term collaboration between ARI and CHHA is not incidental. It is built on a strong alignment of values around accessibility, accuracy, and inclusion.
Commitment to Communication Access
Both organizations prioritize:
- Equal access to information
- Removal of communication barriers
- Practical, reliable accessibility solutions
CHHA advocates for systemic change, while ARI delivers the real-time tools that make accessibility possible in everyday settings.
Focus on Quality and Reliability
CART captioning requires a high level of precision. ARI’s role in supporting CHHA over decades reflects:
- Consistent service delivery
- High accuracy standards
- Adaptability across different event types and formats
This reliability is essential for organizations like CHHA that depend on accessible communication to fulfill their mission.
Supporting the Hard of Hearing Community
At a broader level, both ARI and CHHA contribute to:
- Increased awareness of hearing loss and accessibility needs
- Improved standards for accessibility services in Canada
- Greater inclusion in education, healthcare, and public life
Their collaboration demonstrates how service providers and advocacy organizations can work together to create meaningful change.
The Importance of Long-Term Accessibility Partnerships
Long-standing relationships in accessibility services are significant. They allow for:
- Deeper understanding of organizational needs
- Consistent service quality over time
- Trust between providers and community organizations
In the case of ARI and CHHA, the partnership has supported thousands of hours of accessible communication, contributing directly to CHHA’s ability to serve its members.
Conclusion
The relationship between Accurate Realtime and the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association spans more than 30 years, reflecting a sustained commitment to communication accessibility in Canada.
Through ongoing CART captioning services for meetings, events, and educational programs, ARI has supported CHHA’s mission to improve access and inclusion for people who are hard of hearing.
This partnership illustrates a practical model of accessibility in action: combining advocacy with reliable, real-time solutions that make participation possible.