When the Tide Comes In: Towards Accessible Telecommunications for People with Disabilities in Australia
A discussion paper commissioned by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
William Jolley, Chief Consultant
Jolley William & Associates
wjolley@bigpond.com
June 2003
FOREWORD
DR SEV OZDOWSKI
ACTING DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION COMMISSIONER
Advances in telecommunications technology are rapid, but people with disabilities have been left out of the loop. This is the major message of this discussion paper on access to telecommunications for people with disabilities.
I welcome improvements in telecommunications for people in rural and remote Australia, but many Australians with a disability are being left behind. Deaf people, for example, who use tele typewriters to communicate over the telephone network, are unable to use mobile phones since the analogue network closed three years ago. Telecommunications is a right for all Australians, including Australians with disabilities.
The author of this paper, William Jolley, is a recognised expert in the telecommunications and disability fields. His paper 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 have made it available to encourage further discussion, and to promote action to address issues raised in it by policy-makers, regulators and service providers. Advances in telecommunications is an important area for everyone in the community, and Australians with a disability are entitled to share in the benefits.
The paper has been distributed to key organisations and individuals in the telecommunications industry. It is also available on the Commission's website at www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights
The three major issues facing people with disabilities in telecommunications,
set out in the paper, are:
- Lack of text connectivity for people who are Deaf;
- Lack of access to other than 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; for example larger keys for people with arthritis, brighter colour contrasts for people with vision loss, volume controls for people with hearing loss.
I plan to arrange 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. I hope that an agreed work-plan for the industry to address such issues can come out of that forum.
In the mean time I would welcome views on the Commission's discussion paper. These would enhance the discussion, and inform the forum I plan to hold.
Input on the discussion paper should be emailed to disabdis@humanrights.gov.au