Access to Telecommunications

for people from Non English Speaking Backgrounds with Disability

 

Telecommunication services provide vital connectivity and participation for people with disability. However people from Non English Speaking Backgrounds (NESB) with disability face a number of barriers to accessing affordable telecommunications services, and information on specialist equipment and programs.

 

Access the NEDA fact sheet here: telecommunications_issues_fact_sheet.doc

Improve telecommunications consumer rights for people from NESB with disability

NEDA believes consumer rights for people from NESB with disability can be improved by:

Ó more information on telecommunications contracts in community languages  

Ó free access to telephone interpreting services prior to signing contracts

Ó upfront information on contract terms and pricing  and  provide clear opt out and cooling off periods, particularly for consumers with low English proficiency 

Ó training on disability and NESB needs to providers and decision makers

Ó provide relevant communications aids and equipment in community languages, such as  alphabet and symbol boards 

Óensure that all new telecommunications equipment and services are accessible to all Australians.

 

 Other Documents: