Telecommunications


Contents

Aids, Equipment and Products

Government and Industry Bodies

Complaints Handling

Organisations


Aids, Equipment and Products


Australian Communication Exchange (ACE)
Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) is a not-for-profit, Australian organisation dedicated to empowering those who are Deaf or have a hearing, speech or communication impairment, to obtain access to the telephone and other telecommunication networks. ACE runs the National Relay Service (NRS).

Ph: 1800 555 630
Ph: 1800 555 660
Ph: 1800 555 690
Email: feedback@aceinfo.net.au
Web: www.aceinfo.net.au


National Relay Service (NRS)
The National Relay Service (NRS) is an Australia-wide telephone access service available to everyone at no additional charge. A Relay Officer (RO) connects callers via any voice to text combination using Tele Typewriter (TTY) or computer with modem. Confidentiality guaranteed.

Ph: 133 677 or 1800 555 677
Ph: 07 3815 7799
Web: www.aceinfo.net.au/Services/NRS/index.html


NovitaTech Regency Park
The technology division of Novita Children's Services (formerly the Crippled Children's Assoc. of S.A. Inc.), assists people with a disability to lead fuller and more satisfying lives, with the help of aids and equipment.

PO Box 2438
REGENCY PARK SA 5942
Assistive Technology Department
171 Days Road, Regency Park, South Australia 5010
Ph: 1300 85 55 85
Fax: (08) 8243 8337
Email: assistivetech@novita.org.au
Web: www.novitatech.org.au/content.asp?p=258


PhoneChoice
PhoneChoice is an established and comprehensive Australian site for all Telecommunications needs. It has independent, unbiased advice and solutions on mobile, international, national, local and new technology communications products and services.

Web: www.phonechoice.com.au


Telstra Call Connect Service
Telstra Call Connect is a live, operator assisted premium service that finds and connects the customer to the number being sought. Customers with a disability who are unable, or find it extremely difficult to dial numbers on a telephone and therefore are prevented from using an ordinary telephone may be eligible to receive access to the Telstra Call Connect (12456) service for free (call charges still apply). Applications for registration for this service are made through Telstra's Disability Service Hotline.

Ph: 1800 068 424 (Voice)
Ph: 1800 808 981(TTY)
Fax: 1800 814 777
Web: www.accessibility.com.au/hearing/telstra1.htm


Telstra Directory Assistance Helpline
Telstra's Directory Assistance Helpline offers a live, operator assisted service that includes telephone number as well as address information for people who are unable to use White Pages™ or Yellow Pages™ directories and are unable to satisfactorily use the standard Directory Assistance (12455/1223) service. Applications for registration for this service are made through Telstra's Disability Service Hotline.

Ph: 1800 068 424 (Voice)
Ph: 1800 808 981(TTY)
Fax: 1800 814 777
Web: www.accessibility.com.au/hearing/telstra1.htm


Telstra Disability Enquiry Hotline
Older people, people with a disability and carers can obtain information in alternative formats and specialist advice about Telstra's Disability Equipment Program, including advice on other products and services that may meet their telecommunications needs.

Ph: 1800 068 424 (Voice)
Ph: 1800 808 981(TTY)
Fax: 1800 814 777
Web: www.accessibility.com.au/hearing/telstra1.htm


Telstra Disability Equipment Program catalogue
Telstra Disability Equipment Program provides specialised telephone equipment to eligible customers (or a member of their household/ employee) in order for them to access the standard telephone service. NOTE: You can access the Disability Equipment Program in SOME circumstances even if Telstra does not provide your telephone service. Tell your service provider you want to do this.

Ph: 1800 068 424 (Voice)
Ph: 1800 808 981(TTY)
Fax: 1800 814 777
Web: www.telstra.com.au/disability/catalogue/


Government and Industry Bodies


ACIF Disability Advisory Body (DAB)
The ACIF DAB is a consultative forum of peak disability organisations. It gives adequate and appropriate disability sector input to ensure that the implications of proposed ACIF Codes and Standards for people with disabilities are addressed and particular issues identified early in the Code/Standard development process.

PO Box 444
Milsons Point NSW 1565
Ph: 02 9959 9111
Fax: 02 9954 6136
TTY: 02 9923 1911
Web: www.acif.org.au/about/overview/consumer/dab
Web: www.acif.org.au/current_activities/consumer_liaison/dab


Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA)
The ABA was established by the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. It oversees all aspects of television and radio broadcasting in Australia.

PO Box Q500
Queen Victoria Building
SYDNEY NSW 1230
Ph: 02 9334 7700 or 1800 226 667
Fax: 02 9334 7799
TTY: 02 9334 7777
Email: info@aba.gov.au
Web: www.aba.gov.au


Australian Communications Authority (ACA)
The ACA is responsible for regulating telecommunications and radiocommunications, including promoting industry self-regulation and managing the radiofrequency spectrum. The ACA also has significant consumer protection responsibilities. It established under the Australian Communications Authority Act 1997, and exercises powers under the Telecommunications Act 1997, the Radiocommunications Act 1992, and other related legislation.

PO Box 78
BELCONNEN ACT 2616
Ph: 02 6219 5555
Fax: 02 6219 5353
Web: http://internet.aca.gov.au/ACAINTER/


Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
The Australian Government has announced the proposed merger of the ABA with the Australian Communications Authority, by 1 July 2005, to form the Australian Communications and Media Authority.


Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF)
ACIF is a member-funded organisation which facilitates communications self-regulation in the interests of both industry and consumers.

PO Box 444
MILSON'S POINT NSW 1585
Ph: 02 9959 9111
Fax: 02 9954 6136
Web: www.acif.org.au


Department of Communications Information Technology & the Arts (DCITA) (Commonwealth)
The Department provides strategic advice and professional support to the Australian Government on a wide range of significant and rapidly changing policy areas including: arts and culture; broadcasting and online regulation; indigenous programs; information and communications technology; information economy; intellectual property; post; sport; telecommunications.

GPO Box 2154
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Ph: 02 6271 1000
Fax: 02 6271 1901
Email: dcita.mail@dcita.gov.au
Web: www.dcita.gov.au


Optus Consumer Liaison Forum
Optus meets several times each year with its Consumer Liaison Forum, a group of consumer representatives whose organisations have an interest in telecommunications issues. The consumer representatives who make up the Forum are representatives of peak body consumer and small business organisations. Issues discussed at Optus' Forum meetings are primarily telecommunications matters of interest to residential and small business consumers, such as emerging technologies and accessibility of products, services and equipment.

PO Box 306
SALISBURY SOUTH SA 5106
Web: www.optus.com.au


Telstra Consumer Consultative Forum (TCCC)
The Telstra Consumer Consultative Council (TCCC) provides an ongoing opportunity for consumer and Telstra representatives to discuss telecommunications issues that affect residential customers and do something about them. Currently there are 15 consumer organisations represented.

Corporate Relations
Consumer Affairs
37/242 Exhibition Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Ph: 03 96345508
Fax: 03 96348835
Email: Robert.J.Morsillo@team.telstra.com
Web: www.telstra.com.au/tccc/index.htm


Telstra Disability Forum
In 1999, Telstra established the Telstra Disability Forum, where key consumer groups and Telstra senior managers discuss telecommunications issues affecting people with a disability. The forum meets twice a year with representatives from 11 peak disability organisations. Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) has a representative on the Forum.

Manager
Telstra Disability Services
37/242 Exhibition Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Ph: 03 96345686
Fax: 03 96344390
Email: Bert.Ciavarra@team.telstra.com
Web: www.telstra.com.au/disability/community.htm


Complaints Handling


Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC)
The ACCC is an independent statutory authority which administers the Trade Practices Act 1974. It has a Chairman, a Deputy Chair, five full-time Commissioners and several associate and ex-officio members and a Chief Executive Officer. It helps protect consumers rights on guarantees, warranties and refunds, phones, misleading conduct, internet shopping, scams, petrol prices and more.

PO Box 1199
DICKSON ACT 2602
Ph: (02) 6243 1111 or (02) 6243 1123
Fax: (02) 6243 1199
Web: www.accc.gov.au


Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (National)
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) is a national independent statutory government body. The Commission is administered by the President, who is the Chief Executive Officer. He is assisted by the Human Rights, Race, Sex, Disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioners. HREOC has responsibilities for inquiring into alleged infringements under five anti-discrimination laws - the Racial Discrimination Act; the Sex Discrimination Act; the Disability Discrimination Act; the Age Discrimination Act; and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986. Matters which can be investigated by the Commission include discrimination on the grounds of race, colour or ethnic origin, racial vilification, sex, sexual harassment, marital status, pregnancy, or disability. Human Rights education is one of the core responsibilities of the Commission along with the investigation and attempted resolution of complaints about breaches of human rights and anti-discrimination legislation.

Level 8, Piccadilly Tower
133 Castlereagh Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Ph: 02 9284 9600
Complaints Infoline: 1300 656 419
TTY: 1800 620 241
Fax: 02 9284 9611
Email: complaintsinfo@humanrights.gov.au (Complaints)
Web: www.hreoc.gov.au
Web: www.hreoc.gov.au/complaints_information/lodge/lodging.html (Complaints)


Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO)
The TIO deals with complaints that consumers have not been able to resolve with their telephone or internet company. The TIO is an office of last resort. This means that before contacting the TIO you must have tried to resolve your complaint with your service provider.

PO Box 276
Collins St West
MELBOURNE VIC 8007
Ph: 03 8600 8700 (General Inquiries)
Ph: 1800 062 058 (Complaints)
Fax: 1800 630 614 (Complaints)
TTY: 1800 675 692
Email: tio@tio.com.au
Web: www.tio.com.au


Organisations


Australian Mobile Telephone Association (AMTA)
AMTA is the peak industry body representing Australia's mobile telecommunications industry. Its mission is "To promote an environmentally, socially and economically responsible and successful mobile telecommunications industry in Australia."

PO Box 4309
MANUKA ACT 2603
Ph: 02 6239 6555
Fax: 02 6239 6577
Email: graham.chalker@amta.org.au
Web: www.amta.org.au


Australian Rehabilitation Assistive Technology Association (ARATA)
ARATA is a national association whose purpose is to serve as a forum for issues in rehabilitation and assistive technology. ARATA is based with Novita Tech.

PO Box 278
GLENORIE NSW 2157
Email: tonyharman@bigfoot.com
Web: www.e-bility.com/arata/index.php


Consumer Telecommunications Network (CTN)
CTN represents the interests of residential consumers in Australian telecommunications. It is a national coalition of consumer and community organisations as well as individuals and is an important voice promoting better access, quality of service and affordability of telecommunications services.

Unit 2, 524 -532 Parramatta Rd
PETERSHAM NSW 2049
Ph: 02 9572 6007
TTY: 02 9572 6047
Fax: 02 9572 6014
Web: www.ctn.org.au


Females in Information Technology and Telecommunications (FITT)
Females in Information Technology and Telecommunications (FITT) is a network of women who have come together to encourage and support women and girls who want to reach their full potential in the information technology and telecommunications (IT&T) industry.

c/- PO Box 246
DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600
Email: female@fitt.org.au
Web: www.fitt.org.au


InfoXchange (Technology for Social Justice)
Infoxchange Australia is a not-for-profit social enterprise company focusing on community development using Information Technology as the primary tool to create positive social change. It provides services in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

375 Johnston Street
ABBOTSFORD VIC 3067
Ph: 03 9418 7400
Fax: 03 9486 9344
Email: info@infoxchange.net.au
Web: www.infoxchange.net.au/index.html


My Connected Community
My Connected Community (mc˛) is a virtual meeting place where communities interact online.

c/- VICNET
328 Swanston St
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Ph: 03 8664 7001 or 1800 629 835
Fax: 03 9639 2175
Email: mc2@vicnet.net.au
Web: http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/


Small Enterprise Telecommunications Association (SETEL)
The representation of small business consumers in relation to telecommunications and e-commerce issues in national forums by SETEL is supported by the Commonwealth of Australia through the 'Grants to Fund Telecommunications Consumer Representation' program of the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

PO Box 58
JAMISON ACT 2614
Ph: (02) 6251 7848
Fax: (02) 6251 7835
Email: setel@setel.com.au
Web: www.setel.com.au


Telecommunications Disability Community Representation (TEDICORE)
TEDICORE is a cross disability organisation auspiced by Blind Citizens Australia. It represents the interests of disabled telecommunications consumers and promotes equity and accessibility to the products and services offered by the telecommunications industry. It conducts 2 meetings per year.

TEDICORE Policy Advisor
Ph/Fax: (07) 3876 0880
Email: g.astbrink@gsa.com.au
Web: www.bca.org.au/tedicore/tedicore.htm


If you would like to update the details of a listing, or if you would like to add a new listing, please email Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)


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This site was developed by Carolyn Frohmader for Women With Disabilities Australia.