17 April 2003

Disability Rights Unit
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
GPO Box 5218 Sydney 1042

Deafness Forum has appreciated the opportunity to consult with HREOC's Working Group to address the issues and develop the proposal to significantly increase closed-captioning of Free-to-Air (FTA) TV programs in Australia. The proposal, and temporary exemption application under the DDA, represents the culmination of extensive consultation between HREOC, the FTA TV broadcasting industry and Deaf and hearing impaired Australians over an extended period. Deafness Forum fully supports the proposal and temporary exemption application under the DDA, as it believes this represents the best opportunity to provide significantly more accessibility to this important communications and entertainment medium for all Deaf and hearing impaired Australians.

Brian C Rope, OAM
Chief Executive Officer
Deafness Forum of Australia
218 Northbourne Avenue
Braddon ACT 2612
Tel: 02 6262 7808
TTY: 02 6262 7809
Fax: 02 6262 7810
Mob: 0429 681 178
E-mail: brian.rope@deafnessforum.org.au
Website: www.deafnessforum.org.au