The 2011 round of the ACCAN Grants Scheme opens today with $250,000 in funding to support consumer research, representation, or education projects related to communications in Australia.  The peak communications group says eligible community organisations, research bodies and individuals looking to fund communications projects can apply for funding of up to $60,000.

Read more: ACCAN Grants Scheme opens with $250,000 for community projects

The Australian Consumer Fraud Taskforce will launch National Consumer Fraud Week with a warning that scammers can target you anytime, anywhere, anyhow.

Scammers do not stop at anything to target victims, including adopting a personal touch. Watch out for scammers – whether you are answering a phone call, opening mail, online chatting with friends, shopping or even looking for love.

Read more: National Consumer Fraud Week focuses on consumer protection

ACCAN, as a Principle Partner of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce during National Consumer Fraud Awareness Week, would like to warmly invite you to attend the launch screening of:

“Internet Scams: how to protect yourself” a consumer education initiative by the WA Deaf Society, funded by ACCAN’s Grants Scheme.

Read more: Cinema screening: National Consumer Fraud Awareness Week

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) and Media Access Australia (MAA) are calling on the major television networks to include comprehensive captioning on digital free-to-air multichannels after new research has found a high level of awareness and use of closed captions – even among those who aren’t hearing impaired.

Read more: TV networks need to tune in to audience’s appetite for captions

You may have heard that a few days before Christmas the Government released the NBN business case – formally known as the NBN Co Corporate Plan 2011-2013. There was a flurry of media coverage focusing on the financial stuff and the many uncertain assumptions the Plan depends on. But there were also some interesting new details beyond the expenditure and rates of return.

Read more: What the NBN business case means for you

The National Relay Service is experiencing major interruptions due to the Queensland floods. The National Relay Service (NRS), a phone solution for people who are Deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired, has been dramatically affected by the Brisbane floods. The NRS’s call centre, which is in Brisbane, has had to be evacuated and this has meant that all NRS calls – other than certain emergency calls – are currently unavailable.

These interruptions are continuing, and there is now information available in Auslan (Australian Sign Language).

Read more: Qld floods: Important information for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired