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In March 2016 the Department of Communications and the Arts released an options paper: ‘Communications Accessibility: 2016 and Beyond’. The paper proposed a number of options related to the ongoing sustainability of the National Relay Service. The use of the National Relay Service over the past couple of years has increased due to the significant improvements to the service through the introduction of a number of new relay services.
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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) says that extra funding the free-to-air networks will keep from the 25 per cent cut to broadcast licence fees should be used to fund improved accessibility features such as better captioning and audio description. Funding these services would help to make free-to-air TV more accessible to consumers living with a disability. The 25 per cent reduction in licence fees announced overnight in the Federal Budget follows a 50 per cent decrease to the fees in 2013.
“The cuts to the broadcast licence fees are good news for the free-to-air networks,” said ACCAN Disability Policy Advisor, Wayne Hawkins. “This funding could be used to improve captioning on free-to-air TV for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and to put in place technology that would allow the networks to introduce audio description for people who are blind or vision impaired.”
Currently free-to-air channels do not caption any additional programming on their multi channels other than repeated programs from their primary channel. Primary channels must caption all programming between 6am and midnight as well as all news and current affairs programs. There are no requirements for audio description to be included on free-to-air television and currently none of the free-to-air networks provide this service.
Read more: Free-to-air networks should use budget windfall for improved accessibility features
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You may have noticed that we’ve launched our brand new website. We’ve been working on the new website for quite some time and we’re very excited to finally have it up and running.
The new website is more user-friendly, mobile-friendly and of course, it is accessible to consumers who use assistive technologies like screen readers.
With our new website, we’re well placed to provide consumers with the latest news, information and consumer resources.
The website is now divided into two main areas: Helpful Consumer Information and ACCAN’s Work.
Read more: We’ve launched our new website
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The summary below outlines ACCAN's activities from 1 December 2015 to 29 February 2016.
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The summary below outlines ACCAN’s activities from 1 September to 30 November 2015.
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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has launched a guide for consumers who will receive internet services over nbn’s Sky Muster satellite. The guide will be a useful tool for consumers in these areas to help them get connected to broadband services. Sky Muster services were officially launched today.
ACCAN welcomes the launch of Sky Muster services as they will deliver improved broadband services to premises across Australia, primarily in regional and remote areas including the islands that make up Australia. Consumers in these areas have experienced poor to no broadband services, with many facing difficult situations created by the lack of adequate services and exorbitant costs.
Read more: ACCAN launches consumer guide for NBN Sky Muster satellite
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There are three categories of membership.
- Voting members
- Associate members (Non-voting)
- Life members
Voting members includes both organisations and individuals – each having one vote. The eligibility criteria for organisational Voting members is that their purposes align with ACCAN's objectives and that they are both non-party political and not for profit. Individual Voting members must also subscribe to ACCAN’s objectives. Voting members can nominate and vote for positions on ACCAN’s board of directors.
Associate members (Non-voting) are those who are interested in working with ACCAN but are not eligible (or do not wish to apply) for Voting membership.
Life membership is conferred by a special meeting of ACCAN on someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the area.
Please contact us if you're unsure which type of Membership is best for you.
Members of the telecommunications industry, such as carriers, carriage service providers (CSPs), content service providers and equipment manufacturers, are not eligible for membership.
We value your voice
ACCAN trusts our member network to inform us about the communications issues that are affecting themselves and/or their members/clients. To effectively advocate for change our lobbying and campaigns need to be evidence based and supported by strong personal stories. We therefore regularly seek input from our members in the form of surveys or occasional telephone calls. If you don’t have the time to participate, we don’t mind but equally welcome contact from our members whenever there is an issue that you’d like us to look at.
Membership pricing
ACCAN membership is renewed yearly and based on the applicant's income. The fees are structured as follows:
Organisational Membership
| Income Level | Cost (inc GST) |
|---|---|
| Income under $25,000 | $27.50 |
| Income $25,001 to $50,000 | $44.00 |
| Income $50,001 to $200,000 | $88.00 |
| Income $200,001 to $1,000,000 | $154.00 |
| Income $1,000,001 to $2,000,000 | $220.00 |
| Income over $2,000,001 | $275.00 |
Individual Membership
| Income Level | Cost (inc GST) |
|---|---|
| Unwaged | $22.00 |
| Waged | $33.00 |
Fee Waivers
Both Individual and Organisational Members and applicants can apply for a fee waiver. If you would like your fees waived please contact ACCAN to discuss further.
Apply
Take the first step today and become a member by calling ACCAN on (02) 9288 4000 or
You may also download the application form below and return signed forms to ACCAN.
Download: 
ACCAN Individual Membership Application Form82.51 KB
Download: 
ACCAN Individual Membership Application Form230.56 KB
Download: ACCAN Organisational Membership Application Form83.6 KB
Download: ACCAN Organisational Membership Application Form233.11 KB
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ACCAN’s purpose is to work for “communications services that are trusted, inclusive, accessible and available for all.” We need the expertise and support of individuals and organisations to help guide ACCAN’s work towards better outcomes for all communications consumers. ACCAN facilitates opportunities each year through our consultative forums and conference for ACCAN Members to help guide our strategic direction. Become an ACCAN Member and have your voice heard!
The benefits of becoming an ACCAN member are:
We put consumers first
We are a community-based, member-driven, not-for-profit, non-party political organisation.
Be heard:
Tell us about your issues and opinions through direct contact with us. We also have expert Advisory Forums, which members can nominate to join, which help us identify consumer issues and strategies to address them.
Be informed:
Our weekly newsletter will keep you up to date with news and issues affecting consumers and the communications industry. Your membership also means you will receive ACCAN at a Glance which will keep you up to date with our policy, grants and research activities, as well as industry and regulatory news, and tip sheets.
Be equipped:
ACCAN tip sheets and educational resources will help you and your constituents on consumer rights and important issues.
Fight the good fight:
Take part in our campaigns, research and grants projects to help us advocate for consumer rights.
Networking:
Participate in ACCAN Events, including discounted fees for our annual conference, profiling your work and events through our website, find other events and contacts through ACCAN.
Have a say:
Your membership to ACCAN entitles you to nominate and vote for directors on the ACCAN Board. You can also choose to become a non-voting, Associate Member.
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2023-24 Annual Report
CEO Report, Carol Bennett
I am pleased to present ACCAN’s Annual Report for 2023-24.
When I commenced as CEO of ACCAN in early July this year, my focus was on contributing to the national effort to improve access, affordability and functionality of communications for all Australians. No small task, but I am pleased to say ACCAN has continued its outstanding work in support of equitable access to fundamental services that enable Australians to build and sustain social connections, work productivity, health and safety. It’s hard to imagine a more important area when it comes to improving quality of life for consumers.
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The Strategic Plan provides insights into ACCAN’s mission, values and strategic goals. The plan will direct the organisation’s work for the next three (3) years and sets out how ACCAN will achieve its vision of trusted, accessible, inclusive, affordable and available communications and digital services for all Australians.
Download: ACCAN Strategic Plan 2025-2027252.61 KB
Download: ACCAN Strategic Plan 2025-202784.17 KB
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Through our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), ACCAN aims to:
- build and maintain positive relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities;
- ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members and/or employees of ACCAN are valued for their unique perspectives and experiences;
- support story telling as a culturally important form of communication for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
- assist in reducing the digital divide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
- demonstrate culturally safe engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
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The purpose of the Members Advisory Forum (MAF) is to discuss the most important issues from the perspective of ACCAN's members and the people they represent, with a view to incorporating these into ACCAN's work priorities.