Board briefed on WebEx translation pilot to improve access and spur virtual hearings

Janet Drainer told the board she discovered a WebEx translation option that provides real-time closed captioning in many languages at the moment a user logs into a hearing. "There's a WebEx translation license where when you enter into WebEx, right as you log on, there's a drop down with 100 different languages that you can select from," she said, adding the captioning is AI-driven and does not replace a certified interpreter for court records.

Drainer said the board selected five judges with high limited-English-proficiency caseloads to pilot the feature and will evaluate whether it helps participants follow proceedings and encourages more claimants to join hearings visually rather than by phone. She noted the feature "does not replace an over the phone interpreter for court records" but could help participants "have a better grasp of what's going on in the whole meeting."