When the Tide Comes In: Towards Accessible Telecommunications for People with Disabilities in Australia
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.
