INDUSTRY CODE IMPROVES INFORMATION ON ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES FOR CUSTOMERS WITH SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS NEEDS

The Accessibility Features for Telephone Equipment Code simplifies and improves provision of information for customers with specific customer equipment needs; for example, to assist with hearing or vision impairments. The Code was registered by the industry regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

Developed by Communications Alliance members, with input from equipment suppliers, carriers and consumer representatives, the revised Code gives equipment suppliers a single channel to meet their information provision obligations by using the Mobile & Wireless Forum, Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI) to provide information about their devices.

“There is a wide array of telecommunications devices on the market with features to help people with disabilities,” said Communications Alliance CEO, John Stanton.

“But understanding each of the features and finding the best device to meet a particular customer’s needs can be a challenging process.”

“The strengthened Code will make it easier for customers to find the phone that will add real benefit to their everyday lives.”

The Code has also been updated to include reference to the nationwide disability telecommunications service, Accessible Telecoms, that provides independent, up-to-date information on telecommunication products and assistive technology suitable for people with disabilities.

Templates for Accessibility Features Matrices are also available via the Communications Alliance website as an alternative option for equipment suppliers to make available their device information to carriers and carriage service suppliers. Consumers can also access this information to assist them in considering the types of features that will be most useful to them.