People with disabilities left out of telecommunications technology loop
A discussion paper on access to telecommunications for people with disabilities released today by Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner Dr Sev Ozdowski suggests that people with disabilities are not receiving equal access to rapidly advancing telecommunications technology.
“Advances in telecommunications are an important area for everyone in the community and people with a disability are entitled to share in the benefits. Telecommunications should be accessible to all Australians,” said Dr Ozdowski.
"I welcome improvements in telecommunications for people in rural and remote Australia, but many people with a disability are being left behind. For example, deaf people who use tele-typewriters to communicate over the phone network can't use mobile phones since the analogue network closed three years ago."
The discussion paper was prepared by William Jolley – a recognised expert in the telecommunications and disability fields. It provides an in-depth assessment of the impact of current and future telecommunications technology on people with disabilities, and makes positive recommendations for addressing existing and potential future inequalities and discrimination.
"This discussion paper provides us with an excellent road map in this area. I hope it encourages further discussion and promotes policy-makers, regulators and service providers to address issues raised in it," the Commissioner said.
The three major issues facing people with disabilities in telecommunications, as set out in the paper, are:
- lack of text connectivity for people who are deaf,
- lack of access to all but the basic functions of mobile phones for people who are blind, and
- the need for more detailed minimum standards on telecommunications equipment to assist people with disabilities (e.g. larger keys for people with arthritis, brighter colour contrasts for people with vision loss, volume controls for people with hearing loss etc.).
"I am planning a high level forum for organisations in the telecommunications industry towards the end of the year at which these and other issues will be discussed, and I hope that an agreed work plan for the industry to address such issues can come out of that forum," Dr Ozdowski said.
The discussion paper has been distributed to key organisations and individuals in the telecommunications industry and is also available on the Commission's website at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/index.html#new
The Commission welcomes your views on the discussion paper which should be emailed to: disabdis@humanrights.gov.au
Media Contact: Paul Oliver (02) 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347Last updated 8 July 2003.
