ACCAN has a new a chair, Sue Salthouse was elected to the position at a recent ACCAN board meeting at which Kate Locke was elected Deputy Chair, Len Bytheway, Treasurer and Nan Bosler, Secretary.

New Chair, Sue Salthouse has been a member of the ACCAN Board since its inception and was also a member of the working group that formed the organisation.

“I am encouraged and optimistic about the capacity of communications technology to liberate people who are isolated geographically, economically or because of circumstance,” Sue said.

“With ACCAN I will be able to forward issues for all consumers to gain available, accessible and affordable communications.

I look forward to working with board members and ACCAN’s management to oversee the implementation of ACCAN’s strategy to drive its policy and campaigns in advocating for a fairer communications market," Sue said.

Sue has a strong record of experience in the disabilities sector having worked in systemic advocacy and research for women with disabilities for the past 10 years in telecommunications and sport and recreation facilities. She is currently the President of Women With Disabilities Australia and Convenor of Women With Disabilities ACT, as well as being on the Board of Women in Adult and Vocational Education and Advance Personnel, a Disability Employment Network.

Deputy Chair Kate Locke is an online journalist and lobbyist with a special interest in the Deaf community. She is a recent recipient of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Individual Community Award for her passion and dedication in increasing awareness and overcoming discrimination against deaf and hearing impaired people in Australia.

ACCAN CEO Allan Asher congratulated the board members on their new appointments.

“Sue is highly experienced in advocacy issues with demonstrated leadership skills and a commitment to the disability sector. Together, Sue, Kate, Len and Nan bring significant consumer advocacy and industry experience which will be invaluable to the organisation,” Allan said. I look forward to working with them to deliver ACCAN’s mission of a strong unified consumer voice on communications issues.

The new board appointments will hold their position for one year.

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