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The Australian Communications Consumer Action network (ACCAN), the peak body for communications consumers in Australia, congratulates the Federal Government on its inclusion of 'accessibility' in the current Request For Tender (RFT) of ICT Hardware and other Services.
Acknowledging 'desirability' of products and services to meet international best practice standards of accessibility will help ensure that digital information and services provided by government agencies will be accessible to Australians with disability.
Read more: ACCAN Welcomes Inclusion of Accessibility in Government Tender
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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), the peak body representing communications consumers in Australia, has launched its Community Consultation Guide, which is designed to help communities address issues with mobile coverage in their areas.
Mobile coverage is a key issue for consumers, particularly those in regional, rural and remote Australia. Achieving improvements in mobile coverage is a priority focus of ACCAN's work. Earlier this month, we welcomed the release of the guidelines for the Federal Government's Mobile Black Spot Programme, but know that even with the improvements the Programme will deliver, demand for improved network coverage will far outstrip supply.
Read more: ACCAN Launches Mobile Coverage Community Consultation Guide
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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), the peak body for communications consumers in Australia, has launched an online Hardship Portal – a set of resources to assist people through tough times.
The Portal is designed for financial counsellors as well as consumers experiencing financial hardship. It provides links to the hardship policies of Telstra, Optus and Vodafone and outlines how to get help and the different options available.
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Telecommunications access and affordability among people experiencing financial hardship
Anglicare Victoria looked at over 300 of its low-income clients to investigate how they accessed telecommunications and whether they considered these services affordable.
The overwhelming conclusion was that telecommunications are not universally accessible. This is because 49% of those in the survey did not have home internet, and 56% didn't have mobile internet – such as a smartphone or a dongle. Two-thirds of mobile phone users had difficulty paying their phone bills and a similar number of people ran out of credit on their pre-paid mobile service sooner than they expected.
The full report is available on the ACCAN website.
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The three biggest telcos have spend and usage tools to help you know how much of the different types of services you are using.
Telstra
Tools to monitor calls and data usage are available on the Telstra website by selecting 'My Account' from the Telstra home page. There is also an app available for use on portable devices.
Vodafone
Optus
Optus provides several options for customers to track their usage and keep their costs down, such as Optus My Account (online usage meter), My Optus App (via mobile handsets), SMS and email alerts, and prepaid mobile customers can check their usage by calling/texting 1509 from their Optus handset (freecall).
There are several pages on the Optus website that provide advice on this such as:
How can I control the amount I spend? ; and
Read more: What spend and usage tools are available?
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Some providers have special deals available for people in special circumstances. Here are the ones we've heard of.
Telstra
InContact is a free limited service that offers incoming calls but restricts outgoing calls. Telstra customer service, service difficulties and fault numbers can be called.
Telstra's prepaid calling card allows guests to make calls on a pre-paid basis, with the flexibility of being able to use the card from almost anywhere.
This aims to provide a phone service for people who seek shelter within emergency accommodation (one service only per property).
Telstra Bill Assistance Program
The program is designed to assist specific householders in maintaining access to a telephone service when difficulties arise.
CentrePay is a direct deduction facility offered by Centrelink to customers, who may choose to pay some household bills and other essential services.
Home Phone Budget offers has a line rental plan that provides a relatively lower line rental price than standard services with higher call prices. It is designed for Telstra residential customers with just one fixed line service who make very few calls.
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If you're finding it hard to pay your phone or internet bill, you are not the only one. Lots of people face unexpected circumstances at different times in their lives – like losing a job, having a relationship breakdown, becoming sick or even after bushfires, floods and cyclones.
The contact details of Optus, Vodafone and Telstra can be found on the Get Help page.
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If you're having difficulty paying lots of bills at once, you can call a financial counsellor. Financial counsellors help you work through the issues and identify options. Their services are free and confidential. They can help you figure out what to do – how to organise your money, how to pay your bills, how to get the support you need. Even if you feel you are coping, a fresh set of eyes may help you sort things out more quickly, or identify other forms of assistance you weren't aware of.
You can phone a financial counsellor from anywhere in Australia by calling 1800 007 007 (minimum opening hours are 9.30 am – 4.30 pm Monday to Friday). This number will automatically switch through to the service in the State or Territory you are calling from.
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Financial hardship happens when you are unable to meet repayment obligations for a service that you're using. Basically, you're finding it hard to pay one or more of your bills.
When people sign up to a plan or service, they're usually confident they'll be able to pay the bill. Unfortunately later, due to an unexpected event or circumstance, they are unable to pay anymore. In other cases, there are those that are unable to afford the bill from the beginning. These situations are all covered by the term 'financial hardship'.
If you find yourself unable to pay you will need to tell your telephone, mobile or internet provider you are experiencing "financial hardship". The company's customer service representative can then offer you the help you need.
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Financial Counselling Australia – get in touch with a Financial Counsellor.
Debt self help tools – try this handy tool kit.
Emergency information – The ABC is Australia's official emergency broadcaster and has links to survival planning and other prevention strategies.
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) – The TIO is a fast, free and fair service that helps resolve telephone and internet complaints.
Financial Rights Legal Centre – some fantastic information to help you find the best help when in debt and how to avoid dodgy credit solutions.
National Children's and Youth Law Centre – a free legal service for people under the age of 25.
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This research report examined the implications of digital technology, particularly mobile apps, for the management of cultural knowledge. A group of young Aboriginal Australians participated in this project which mapped how they used apps to explore cultural knowledge.
The report is available through the ACCAN Grants Scheme webpage.
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University of Sydney researcher, Dr Justine Humphry, surveyed and interviewed a number of Australians experiencing homelessness as well as employees of homelessness service providers. This resulted in a comprehensive report into the internet and mobile phone usage habits and experiences of this group of Australians.
The full report, including further information, can be found on the ACCAN Grants Scheme webpage.