MeAC – Measuring Progress of eAccessibility in Europe

Legislation/regulations

The Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 provides for the Universal Service Obligations (USO). The definition of a ‘standard telephone service’ includes carriage for the purpose of voice telephony or, if voice telephony is not practical for an end-user with a disability, another form of communication that is equivalent to voice telephony. The ‘standard’ service also includes supply of customer equipment in order to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. This standard service must be ‘reasonably accessible to all people in Australia on an equitable basis’. The USO includes providing reasonably accessible payphones.

The USO regime requires the primary Universal Service Provider (USP) to develop a Policy Statement and a Standard Marketing Plan (SMP) that demonstrates how the obligation will be complied with. The current SMP explains the USP’s Disability Equipment Program and other measures it undertakes to comply with its universal service obligation. These include upgrades to its standard rental phone and a variety of telephony equipment compatible with different disabilities. The USP’s Disability Equipment Program ensures equivalent pricing for a service, so that people requiring equipment on its program do not pay more for a text telephone than a person pays for a standard rental telephone, for example.

The Telecommunications (Equipment for the Disabled) Regulations 1998 specify equipment for supply as part of the Universal Service Obligation. The first three pieces of equipment are those needed for the person with a disability to have access to the National Relay Service, i.e. text telephone, equipment which facilitates data transmission over the telecommunications network (for example, a modem), and telebraille. The other equipment listed refers to equipment that a person with a disability needs in order to communicate directly with a person without a disability. The examples given include one touch dial memory, handset with amplifiers, hands free handsets, visual signal alerts, etc.

Section 380 of the Telecommunications Act 1999 provides for setting disability standards. The 1999 Act also provides a co-regulatory basis for development of industry codes. Standards have been set on the accessibility features of equipment used for voice telephone, and on the information to be provided about accessibility features. One industry code developed is that on Information on Accessibility Features for Telephone Equipment developed by the representative body for the communications industries (Communications Alliance) and registered on 12 October 2006 by the national Regulator – Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). It specifies obligations on standard telephone equipment suppliers to provide information on the characteristics of their equipment that would benefit people with a disability and older people, which are codified in Operational Matrices for Reporting on Accessibility Features for Telephone Equipment. It also requires that information provided by suppliers is clear and comprehensible to assist in identifying equipment that will meet an individual’s communications needs. Mobile telephones are included within the scope of this code.

Section 593 of the Telecoms Act specifies funding for consumer representation on accessibility and other issues. The Telecommunications and Disability Consumer Representation group (TEDICORE) is funded in this way.

Other initiatives

A 24/7 national relay service is funded by the Australian Government and provided by another service provider. The service includes a speech-to-speech relay service.

As the result of a ministerial policy of 2000, there is a dedicated text telephone Emergency Call number (106). Introduced in December 2000, this is a text-based emergency service that operates through the National Relay Service and allows TTYs or text telephones and modem users direct access to emergency services.

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association has produced a good practice guide on accessibility for people with disabilities. The guide is designed to encourage and assist Australia’s mobile phone industry to enhance and develop, on an on-going basis, the accessibility of its products and services to people with disabilities.

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