Most of us take for granted that we can use any communications device – land-line, mobile or internet – to connect to people, services and help. But the reality is that a significant number of Australians can’t use regular products and services because of illness, disability or other impairment. Inclusive Communications is ACCAN's submission to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE)'s Review of Access to Telecommunication Services by People with Disability, Older Australians and People Experiencing Illness.

 The patchwork of programs available to these consumers delivers a level of service that was deemed acceptable 20 years ago but is well behind what we expect from communications services today. There are people who are limited to only being able to make calls, not receive them. There are others who can have a useable phone installed but not the device that would allow them to know that the phone is ringing. And others, again, must make do with a service that relays calls at five times as long as a regular call takes place.

This submission argues for a new Telecommunications Service (DTS) to improve existing services; commit to functional equivalence in telecommunications; reach out to new, underserviced consumer communities; and deliver a one-stop-shop for assistive technologies that will be dynamic and cost-effective.

Submission to: the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE)'s Review of Access to Telecommunication Services by People with Disability, Older Australians and People Experiencing Illness.

Status: Submitted

Download: ACCAN's submission to the Review of Access to Telecommunication Services by People with Disability, Older Australians and People Experiencing Illness [Word Document - 634 KB] 

Download: ACCAN's submission to the Review of Access to Telecommunication Services by People with Disability, Older Australians and People Experiencing Illness[Adobe Acrobat PDF - 406.7 KB]