Telstra, Optus and Vodafone launch schemes for people with hearing aids and mobile phones
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone have each launched innovative new schemes to address problems faced by people who use hearing aids in accessing their mobile phone networks, following the successful conciliation of complaints lodged under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act.
Many hearing aid users cannot access GSM mobile phones because of electromagnetic interference between their hearing aid and mobile phone, and have experienced accessibility problems since the closure of the largely accessible analogue network.
The schemes, which will be available in the next few weeks, have been announced as part of the conciliation of complaints lodged with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission by representatives of hearing impaired people represented by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.
The schemes offer the provision of free or reduced cost accessories to facilitate access to the GSM mobile network, or the opportunity to swap to the CDMA technology in some circumstances, where a person meets certain eligibility criteria.
Brochures containing information for hearing aid users about the accessibility of the mobile telephone network are also being produced by Optus and Vodafone, and will be available in stores soon. Telstra has revised its existing brochure and taken steps to ensure that it will be more widely available and easier to access.
A Seminar on the subject of hearing aids and the most suitable mobile telephone technology, will also be funded by the settlement. It will be co-hosted by the Human Rights Commission and the Deafness Council of NSW and held on 2 June at the Australian Hearing Theatre, 126 Greville St, Chatswood.
"We are keen for all of our customers to maximise their use of our networks," said spokespersons from Telstra, Vodafone and Optus. "If one of our mobile phones is causing interference with a person's hearing aid they should contact us, and find out whether they have entitlements under the scheme" they said.
Alexis Goodstone, a solicitor with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, said "My clients view the outcome as a constructive initiative by the communications industry to recognise and accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. It has the potential to assist many hearing aid users who have signed up to mobile phone contracts since the closure of the analogue network. The schemes, which are all slightly different, will ensure that Telstra, Optus and Vodafone customers with hearing aids can access the mobile phone network. Customers should contact their particular network to obtain details".
Since the complaint was lodged, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has been conducting a public inquiry into the issues raised. Deputy Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes said "The public inquiry process is used where sensitive or personal information is not involved, and where the issue requires broad policy change".
Details of the inquiry are available on the Commission's website at www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights.
For interviews and further information contact:
Alexis Goodstone, Public Interest Advocacy Centre: (02) 9299 7833, 0410
329 177
Janine MacDonald, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission: (02)
9284 9880
Irene Truscott, Deafness Council: (02) 9683 6400
Brian Rope/Mandy Dolejsi, Deafness Forum: 0429 681 178, 0407 313 375
Tim Scott, Telstra media inquiries: (02) 8293 8679
Telstra scheme inquiries: 018 018 246
Louise Ingram, Optus: (02) 9342 5042
Germaine Graham, Vodafone: (02) 9425 8788
