Use social media? Have a disability?

If you do, then ACCAN and Media Access Australia (MAA) would like to hear from you.

Read more: Use social media? Have a disability? Share your tips and tricks

Congratulations to ACCAN's own Wayne Hawkins, who won a prestigious award at the 2011 Deafness Forum Captioning Awards held in Sydney last night.

Wayne was awarded the Roma Wood OAM Community Award for his contribution to changes that will see captioning quality standards enshrined in legislation. This is a great win, not only for ACCAN, but for all Australians who are Deaf or hearing-impaired, people who use captions in noisy environments, to learn English, or for any of the many reasons that captioning is in demand.

Read more: Wayne Hawkins honoured with Deafness Forum Community Award

The global organisation representing consumer groups, Consumers International, is asking Australians to be part of their project aimed at holding internet service providers to account. You can help by taking part in the 10-minute online survey so we can see how Australia compares to the rest of the world for broadband services.

Read more: Tell the world about your broadband service

Senator Stephen Conroy has today released the details of the Federal Government’s Review of Access to Telecommunications Services by People with Disability, Older Australians and People Experiencing Illness.

Read more: Telecommunications access for PWD, older Australians under review

New research published today examines the challenges faced by not-for-profit organisations in the Northern Rivers of NSW and their clients in relation to accessing information communications technology. The report, Another Barrier?, provides a snapshot of those living in regional areas who continue to struggle with the basics of availability, affordability, and accessibility of communications services.

Read more: Northern NSW not for profits and ICT access

Able Australia, who received an ACCAN Grant in 2010, have produced a report calling for better support for deafblind Australians to access the customised telecommunications solutions that are vital to their day-to-day lives. The report, Telecommunications and Deafblind Australians provides the results of a survey of 71 respondents, and is the first of its kind to focus specifically on telecommunications access and usage by people experiencing deafblindness.

Read more: Research sheds light on unique communications needs for deafblind Australians

ACCAN has appointed its Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) members for the next two years until June 2013. ACCAN’s Standing Advisory Committees provide guidance and direction as we work towards available, accessible and affordable communications that enhance the lives of all consumers.

Read more: Standing Advisory Committee members for 2011–2013 term

People with complex communication needs, their carers and their friends, can find advice about telecommunications solutions that might work for them from the growing community at the Newell Network. Join the discussion at www.newell.org.au

Read more: Introducing The Newell Network

ACCAN has received a record 71 applications for the 2011 round of the ACCAN Grants Scheme, which closed on 20 April 2011.

This represents more than a threefold increase from last year. We're delighted to have received such a diverse mix of high-quality applications with projects spanning a wide range of communications issues affecting Australian consumers. 

Read more: Record number of Grants Scheme applications

ACCAN and Deaf Australia want Deaf and Hearing people to have equal access to telecommunications (phone, mobile, internet) and here's your chance to help. 

Read more: Help improve communication services for Deaf people!