Seven projects have been successful in the second round of the ACCAN Independent Grants Scheme.

ACCAN CEO Allan Asher today congratulated the diverse range of recipients including Able Australia Services, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Council on the Ageing WA, Danielle Notara, the Institute for Interactive Media and Learning (UTS), Novita Children’s Services, and a joint project between the Swinburne Institute for Social Research, Centre for Appropriate Technology, and Central Land Council.

The second round of the grant scheme delivers $250,000 in funds for projects that will commence in July this year and be completed by 30 June 2011.

ACCAN says its Independent Grants Panel selected projects that best met the selection criteria and most strongly reflected the organisation’s strategic goals to make the communications market work for consumers; to protect and promote security, privacy and the fair use of communications services and to support responsible consumption of communication services.

The Round Two projects include:

  • Able Australia Services, awarded $14,750 for a consumer research and representation project titled “Research and practical telecommunications solutions for deafblind Australians”
  • Brotherhood of St Laurence, awarded $58,000 for a consumer research and representation project titled “Youth Advocates” that seeks to address the limited availability of appropriate and affordable mobile phone services for youth (12-25) from low-income backgrounds
  • Council in the Ageing WA, awarded $20,000 for a project titled “Reducing the information divide: The impact of internet usage rates amongst female seniors on the provision of information and services”
  • Danielle Notara, awarded $12,500 for a consumer research project titled “The Three E’s – E-community, Enhanced service delivery and Equitable access for regional consumers under the NBN: A study of the Northern Rivers Region
  • Institute for Interactive Media and Learning (UTS Sydney), awarded $45,000 for a consumer research project titled “Mind the Gap: refugees and communications technology literacy”
  • Novita Children’s Services, awarded $50,000 for a consumer research and representation project titled, “A community-based website for individuals with complex communications need (CCN) or severe communication impairment (SCI) and their supporters”
  • Institute for Social Research; the Centre for Appropriate Technology; and the Central Land Council, awarded $49,750 for a consumer research project titled “The determinants for success for home internet for Indigenous consumers in remote Australia.”

Click here for more information on the ACCAN Independent Grant Scheme

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