tact us by email at interpreting@alsglobal.net or via phone at 1-800-951-5020 for a free estimate on our ASL and CART services.

Trusted CART & ASL Services in Charlottesville, VA

American Language Services has been helping businesses and other entities reach the deaf and hard of hearing community for more than 35 years. While in-person interpreting, at one time, was the only option, recent technological advances opened the door to other options. Since we offer full-service Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), this article will be comparing Virtual American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting with Communication Access Real-Time Translation (AKA- Closed Captioning & Real Time Subtitling) known as CART.

 Please note that according to the American Disability Act (ADA) that deaf and hard of hearing community have the legal right to receive full access through the use of ASL and or CART services. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and providing ASL interpreters for deaf individuals complies with federal law and promotes equal accessibility.

Some interesting Facts About the City of Charlottesville, VA

• Charlottesville, city, administratively independent of, but located in, Albemarle county, central Virginia, U.S. It lies on the Rivanna River, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 70 miles (112 km) northwest of Richmond, on the main route west from the Tidewater region. It was settled in the 1730s and was chosen as the courthouse seat of Albemarle county in 1761.
• Charlottesville was actually named after the British Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (who eventually became Queen of all Britain/Ireland, low key, high key). She married King George III and fun fact– she was a patroness of arts and an amateur botanist.
• Charlottesville has been home to two Presidents: Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. They both lived in Charlottesville and traveled to and from Richmond along the historic Three Notch’d Road (no, not just an amazing brewery).
• One of the most epic moments that happened on this road was Jack Jouett’s midnight ride in 1781. He rode from Louisa County all the way to Charlottesville (about 40 miles) to warn of the approaching British army. And whom did Mr. Jouett warn? Our very own, Thomas Jefferson, who was just stepping down as Governor of Virginia at the time.
• As of the census of 2010, there were 43,475 people, 17,778 households, and 7,518 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,220.8 people per square mile (1,629.5/km²). There were 19,189 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 69.1% White, 19.4% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 6.4% Asian, 1.8% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. 5.1% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.
• Every March bibliophiles make their way to Charlottesville to celebrate the written word during the Virginia Festival of the Book. The festival brings in notable authors such as David Baldacci and Representative John Lewis for five days of readings, discussions, performances and book signings across 70 venues throughout the Charlottesville area.
• Movies like Evan Almighty and Major Payne were filmed in Charlottesville.
• Dr. Charles T Pepper (who got his medical degree from UVA) was the inspiration for the name of the popular soda.
• Charlottesville has a large series of attractions and venues for its relatively small size. Visitors come to the area for wine and beer tours, ballooning, hiking, and world-class entertainment that perform at one of the area’s four larger venues. The city is both the launching pad and home of the Dave Matthews Band as well as the center of a sizable indie music scene.
• Charlottesville was once a major rail hub, served by both the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) and the Southern Railway. The first train service to Charlottesville began in the early 1850s by the Louisa Railroad Company, which became the Virginia Central Railroad before becoming the C&O. The Southern Railway started service to Charlottesville around the mid-1860s with a north-south route crossing the C&O east-west tracks. The new depot which sprang up at the crossing of the two tracks was called Union Station. In addition to the new rail line, Southern located a major repair shop which produced competition between the two rail companies and bolstered the local economy. The Queen Charlotte Hotel went up on West Main street along with restaurants for the many new railroad workers.
• Charlottesville also had an electric streetcar line, the Charlottesville and Albemarle Railway (C&A), that operated during the early twentieth century. Streetcar lines existed in Charlottesville since the late 1880s under various names until organized as the C&A in 1903. The C&A operated streetcars until 1935, when the line shut down due to rising costs and decreased ridership.
• Autumn’s changing colors and the wine harvest make fall the most popular time to visit Charlottesville but it really is a four season destination. Mountain meadows erupt in a riot of color with dogwoods, azaleas and wildflowers blooming each spring while summer brings about hiking and paddling on the James or Rivanna Rivers. Winters are typically quiet but offer an opportunity to explore Charlottesville’s wineries without the crowds or visitors may opt to head to one of the nearby ski resorts.
• In 1987, the University of Virginia alongside Monticello was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. UVA is the only university world heritage site and is only of the three man-made sites in the United States to be internationally recognized.
• It’s been said that good ole’ Dr. Seuss applied three times to UVA and was rejected each and every time. After being insanely successful, he apparently sought out revenge by buying a large home in the area. Specifically selecting a home that was strategically placed in the mountains, looking down at the university that refused to accept him.
• Although there is some light industry (textiles and electrical equipment) and agriculture (livestock, racehorses, apples), the economy is based on educational services.
• The same mild climate and rich soil that makes Charlottesville a premier wine region also makes it a prime spot for growing apples. Orchards grow more than 20 varieties of apples in the mountains surrounding Charlottesville and are made into classic baked goods such as apple pie and cider donuts as well fuel for Charlottesville’s growing number of craft cideries.
• Farm-to-table is more than just a catchphrase in Charlottesville. The hills surrounding Charlottesville are home to small independent farms, some of which have been run by the same family for generations, producing everything from peaches and apples to free range meats and dairy. Stop by one of these family farms for a chance to pick your own produce or get a behind-the-scenes look at farm life on an interactive tour.
• A short drive south on the Blue Ridge Parkway will bring you to Raven’s Roost Overlook, which at an elevation of 3,200 feet provides sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Time your visit for 30 minutes before sunset for a kaleidoscope of color as the sun sinks below the horizon. The nearby Shenandoah National Park offers recreational activities and beautiful scenery, with rolling mountains and many hiking trails. Skyline Drive is a scenic drive that runs the length of the park, alternately winding through thick forest and emerging upon sweeping scenic overlooks.

Reference Sources: Ilovecville, law.virginia.edu, theodysseyonline, National Geographic,

Charlottesville ASL & CART Language Interpreters

American Language Services is known for our high-quality, In-person and Virtual interpreters, as well as the outstanding client services we provide. We work in 200+ languages including Legal and Medical Certified and Qualified.  ASL and CART are the fastest growing languages in Charlottesville today a language interpreter can be a very underestimated professional in the world today. There are over 100 languages spoken in the Charlottesville Metro area alone. Many of us know one language, and we specialize in one field of study. Our Charlottesville Interpreters are fluent in English and at least one other language, and they are knowledgeable in a wide range of specialized fields including legal, medical, technical, manufacturing, and engineering.

A brief history of ASL Interpreting in Charlottesville

Most people know that ASL stands for American Sign Language. But not everyone knows that it is a distinct language—not simply an offshoot of American English. Though its beginnings are murky, many believe that ASL originated from a merger of French Sign Language (SLF) and local U.S. sign languages. While ASL and SLF are distinct languages, there are still some similarities between their signs.

What actually is ASL?   ASL a complete, natural language that has the same linguistic properties as spoken languages with grammar however that differs from English. ASL is expressed by movements of the hands and face.  ASL is a language completely separate and distinct from English. It contains all the fundamental features of language, with its own rules for pronunciation, word formation, and word order.  Because of the physical nature of ASL, a two-person team of ASL interpreters is required for assignments longer than 1 hour in duration.

The National Center for Health Statistics claims that 28 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, though only between two and eight percent of them are natural ASL speakers.  Helping these select individuals translate the audible into the understandable is the job of an ASL interpreter.  If you have ever been to a play, a concert or watched a government briefing, you have probably seen an ASL interpreter signing just out of view.  An interesting side note is that Statista estimates that there are currently around 60,000 active ASL interpreters in the USA.

The Benefits of ASL Interpreting in Charlottesville

When it comes to communicating with hard-of-hearing or deaf audiences, there are a few reasons you might want to opt for a Charlottesville ASL interpreter over CART services. These include:

• A More Personal Connection: A real person has several advantages over a computer screen. First, human interpreters have an easier time conveying emotion. Second, they are better equipped to point out speakers and assist with pronunciation issues. Finally, an interpreter gives a deaf or hard of hearing person a chance to bond with another person.
• Enhanced Speed: Skilled interpreters can hold pace with even the fastest speakers. Lack of delay makes it easier for deaf and hard of hearing individuals to keep up with the conversation.
• Cost Effective:  While costs range by the type of ASL you need (Legal, medical, business, etc.) and when the assignment is scheduled, the cost off ASL, across the board, is less money than CART.

What Is CART?

While the majority of people know what American Sign Language is, the same cannot be said for Communication Access Real-Time Translation. Often referred to as CART, this communication method for the deaf and hard of hearing is best described as subtitling for live discussions. Unlike ASL, which relies on a professional interpreter, CART services are provided by a well-trained stenographer or transcriptionist. They transcribe anything said and then broadcast the resulting text to a phone, computer, or TV screen.

CART is often seen as a cost-effective and efficient way to ensure everybody can follow along. While often used to help deaf students in the classroom, CART captioning benefits anyone that can read.  Much like ASL interpreting, it can be done both onsite with a physical transcriptionist or remotely with an offsite one.

Why You Should Consider CART for the Charlottesville Market

Communication Access Real-Time Translation is growing in popularity due to the following characteristics:

• It Serves a Wider Array of Deaf People: If you do a little math, you will realize that 65 percent of hard-of-hearing people in the USA do not speak ASL fluently. CART makes it so these people can join in on the conversation as well.
• CART Makes It Scalable: While people in the front rows can easily make out what an interpreter is signing, it gets harder as the distance increases. Since captions can be beamed to multiple screens simultaneously, they do not have to factor speaker distance into the equation.
• The Text Provides a Written Record: Having a transcript of everything your professor said would be a godsend come finals. Having a record of a meeting can also provide clarity to all those involved as well. The physical nature of CART recording makes that possible. This ability is one reason so many college students opt for CART over traditional ASL interpreting. 

About American Language Services

Founded in 1985, American Language Services was there to help pioneer the rise in remote ASL interpreting options. Our dedication to quality and client satisfaction in interpreting allowed us to shift from a one-woman agency into one of the most successful language agencies in the world. Our language experts provide ASL & CART interpreting services to people all around the world. Because of our 24/7 availability, you’ll never have to worry about us not being available, on off times, for an assignment.

AML-Global has some of the most impressive linguistic talents in the world. These highly skilled language professionals are recruited, screened, and tested to ensure high-quality work.

Contact us by email at interpreting@alsglobal.net or via phone at 1-800-951-5020 for a free estimate on our ASL and CART services.