When the Tide Comes In: Towards Accessible Telecommunications for People with Disabilities in Australia
A discussion paper commissioned by the Australian Human Rights Commission (previously known as the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission).
William Jolley, Chief Consultant
Jolley William & Associates
wjolley@bigpond.com
June 2003
Abstract
This paper explores trends in telecommunications technologies and services, and their impact on accessibility for people with disabilities, having regard to the legislative background and regulatory framework in Australia. It reviews the major issues for access to telecommunications services and equipment for people with disabilities, recommending strategies for maximising access and minimising discrimination.
Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges the helpful advice given by officers of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. Acknowledgement is also due to representatives of government agencies, industry bodies and telecommunications companies who provided advice, opinion and background information for the discussion paper. Thanks are also due to the people who reviewed the draft manuscript, and who gave feedback which helped to correct some errors and polish the final document. The author expresses special appreciation to the consumer advocates and other individuals who shared knowledge and experience of the situation in Australia of access to telecommunications by people with disabilities. The discussion paper is more comprehensive, and richer in its insights, thanks to the willingness and generosity of many people to share their knowledge and views.
About the Author
Bill Jolley is a graduate mathematician, with experience in telecommunications research and disability advocacy. His native literacy medium is Braille, and he uses a screenreader with synthetic speech for information access.
His experience includes: ten years in telecommunications research specialising in network analysis and quality of service; six years managing a computerised Braille production service; six years as Executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia; and a period as Secretary General of the DAISY Consortium, contributing to the development and implementation of the worldwide standard for accessible multimedia documents.
At Blind Citizens Australia he: managed projects on the impact of digital radio and television, and ecommerce; convened the DDA Standards project, enabling community consultation and feedback in standards development; and was the founding manager of the TEDICORE (Telecommunications and Disability Consumer Representation) project, representing the interests of people with disabilities as consumers of telecommunications products and services.
His international experience includes: project management and staff training in Viet Nam, Fiji and Kenya; representation on Australian delegations and presentations at international conferences; and Vice-Presidency of the World Blind Union East Asia Pacific region.
He provides consultancy services through Jolley William & Associates,
specialising in technology and disability. Projects have included: print
disability services funding and Braille literacy development in Australia;
production of documents in accessible formats; and an external review
of the Asian Blind Union.
