Speech-to-Text Interpreting (STTI) Training
Programme Outline
Learning Commitment
Total Contact Time: 12 hours, 6 sessions*
*Certificates will be sent out at the end of the programme to those who achieve at least 80% of attendance.
Estimated Preparation Time: 2 hours per week*
*This includes time spent on readings, assignments, or personal reflection outside of contact hours.
Delivery Format: Hybrid – sessions will be conducted both in-person and online.
Venue: Blk 994 Bendemeer Road, B Central #03-04 (Room 5) Singapore 339943
Schedule
| Sessions | Date | Time | Venue |
| Session 1 | 15 August (Friday) | 7.30pm to 9.30pm | In-person |
| Session 2 | 22 August (Friday) | 7.30pm to 9.30pm | Zoom |
| Session 3 | 29 August (Friday) | 7.30pm to 9.30pm | Zoom |
| Session 4 | 5 September (Friday) | 7.30pm to 9.30pm | Zoom |
| Session 5 | 12 September (Friday) | 7.30pm to 9.30pm | In-person |
| Session 6 | 19 September (Friday) | 7.30pm to 9.30pm | In-person |
Programme Description
Speech-to-text interpreting provides meaning for meaning transcription to aural information. This form of access service is utilised in both online and in-person settings learning environments by Deaf and Hard of hearing individuals who prefer to access information by text instead of or in tandem with sign language interpretation.
Speech-to-text interpreters focus on conveying the meaning of what is being said, in contrast to verbatim speech-to-text services. This reduces what the consumer has to process visually and still be able to access the same amount of meaningful information. This is achieved through the use of shorthand, eliminating filler words, and condensing connected thoughts whenever possible. The transcription also includes any relevant non-verbal auditory information.
Through theory and practical hands-on components, this course equips the participants with the cultural knowledge and technical skills to perform the role of a speech-to-text interpreter, thus providing equitable communication access to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. The focus of the training will be higher education settings.
Find out more about Equal Dreams’ speech-to-text interpreting service, including an explainer video and our portfolio, at this page: Equal Dreams’ Speech-to-Text Interpreting Service.
Check out the video to find out more about our speech-to-text interpreting training, where you can learn to provide an equitable learning experience by creating live transcripts:
Descriptive transcript of the video here
Watch: What’s in your Bag? Speech-to-Text Interpreters Edition
Learning Outcomes
- Gain knowledge about Deaf culture and the community with a focus on their educational journey and options.
- Identify the range of Deaf access services options available, when and how these options are utilised.
- Understand the role of a speech-to-text interpreter as an accessibility professional.
- Understand shorthand theories and apply them to build their own personal shorthand dictionary.
- Gain knowledge on meaning-for-meaning and speed-building techniques and are able to apply to their transcription-interpretation work.
Certificates of Completion will be awarded with an 80% attendance requirement.
Target Audience
- Any individuals interested in accessibility work
- Teaching faculty in higher education, disability service professionals, students training to be peer access team
- For participants based in Singapore
- Bonus (but not compulsory): Those with minimum typing speed of at least 80 words per minute.
Note: Minimum speed applies to those interested in taking up paid assignments. Even if you don’t meet it, no worries — we welcome you to join us! You may face some challenges during simulation exercises, but you can still pick up the knowledge & STTI techniques to practise and improve on your own, or apply them to your work. You can always take up assignments at a later time when you’re ready.
Accessibility
Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements in the registration form, or you can email us at training@equaldreams.sg to discuss further.
Pricing
Our Sliding Scale Pricing Model
We offer three pricing tiers: Reduced, General, and Supporter.
This model invites those with greater financial privilege to pay at the General or Supporter rates, contributing to equity and access from a place of solidarity, not charity.
Find out more about why we implement a sliding scale model.
We trust you to choose the tier that best reflects your current financial situation — no questions asked. The descriptions below may not fully reflect your circumstances; please choose the one that feels most aligned.
Please note: Discount codes or vouchers do not apply to this programme. Programme fees are non-refundable, unless the programme is cancelled.
Supporter Rate – $400
1. You have sufficient income to pay for a programme like this, and you can afford to subsidise the cost for those who have financial difficulties.
2. You’re funded by an organisation with a generous training budget.
3. You have a large amount of savings or generational wealth (e.g. inheritance, assets). This is more than enough for you, with extra to spare.
General Rate – $320
1. You have enough income to pay for a programme like this, at the general rate.
2. You’re funded by an organisation, or have a training budget that covers this rate.
3. You have a financial safety net (e.g. savings, inheritance, or people you can turn to for support in emergencies.)
Reduced Rate – $260
1. Your income limits your ability to participate in learning opportunities like this.
2. Your income supports not only yourself, but others as well
3. This rate makes it possible for you to attend, otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to.
We would like to thank and acknowledge IDHA, AORTA and Singapore Improv Festival for inspiring our approach to equitable pricing.
Opportunities Upon Completion
Suitable participants will be invited to our mentorship program, which can lead to opportunities to join Equal Dreams’ accessibility team. We are open to flexible arrangements including full time, part time, freelance, traineeship or internship.
Trainers
Programme Lead & Instructor, SgSL & Speech-to-Text Interpreter
Clara is a Team Lead at Equal Dreams, where she leads curriculum development and training across a wide range of topics—from organising accessible events, to disability awareness, to training accessibility professionals. As an accessibility professional providing services like Singapore Sign Language and speech-to-text interpreting, she brings both technical expertise and lived experience to her work. Identifying as neurodivergent, Clara is committed to creating truly inclusive spaces through genuine collaboration with disabled communities. Her approach is grounded in empathy, practical insight, and a firm belief that accessibility is a shared responsibility, not an afterthought.
Programme Coordinator & Instructor, SgSL & Speech-to-Text Interpreter
An interest in language led Hidayat to chance upon linguistics. From the start, he was fascinated by the theory that language influences how people think and experience the world. During this period, Hidayat was introduced to languages that were different from what he was used to – signed languages. Using the visual-manual modality for communication, his Deaf lecturer (Jarn May!) introduced him to the Deaf culture and Singapore Sign Language (SgSL). Years later, Hidayat found himself working with the Deaf community.
Hidayat began his work with the Deaf community conducting research to support the development of the Singapore Sign Language Signbank. Now, he continues to provide support for resource building through linguistic research while building on his skills in sign language and speech-to-text interpreting.
Registration
August 2025 Intake is now closed. However, don’t miss out on future opportunities! Express your interest in our interest form, and we’ll notify you via email as soon as the next intake is launched.
Can’t make it this round, but still interested?
Once you registered your interest, we will reach out to you if and when we have the next run of this programme!