A palantypist (also known as a ‘speech-to-text reporter’ or “captioner”) listens to what is being said and inputs it verbatim and in real time onto a computer using a shorthand keyboard. Palantypists are often used by people with a hearing impairment instead of or as well as a signer.

This is a more complex role than a simple touch typist and people need to be appropriately qualified. Palantypists will need breaks during longer sessions.