Consumer input into the provision of telecommunications equipment for people with disabilities

This paper will discuss the impact that consumer input and legislation has on the provision of equipment for people with disabilities. It will use Australia as an example and discuss the Disability Discrimination Act and the successful complaint against Telstra, the national carrier for the provision of text telephones as part of the standard telephone service. This case led to an expanded program of equipment and most importantly, it helped to galvanise a rights-based approach for people with disabilities to advocate for improved access to telecommunications products and services. The paper concludes by discussing some of the challenges in ensuring that consumers play a key role in telecommunications product design, development and provision.