Welcome to the Deafness Forum of Australia
Established in early 1993 at the instigation of the Federal government, the Deafness Forum is the peak body for deafness in Australia. We now represent all interests and viewpoints of the Deaf and hearing impaired communities of Australia (including those people who have a chronic disorder of the ear and those who are DeafBlind).
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Grant for consumer representation in telecommunications
Posted December 2nd, 2008The Minister for Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has announced a $700,000 grant to advance consumer representation in the telecommunications sector."Consumers are frustrated that their needs and complaints are not adequately recognised by telecommunications providers," Senator Conroy said.
"This $700,000 grant will raise the voice of consumers in telecommunications by supporting the establishment of a new peak representative body, the Australian Communications Consumers Action Network (ACCAN)."
Access to premises standard
Posted December 2nd, 2008(2 December 2008) Earlier today the Attorney General tabled the draft Premises Standards. It is expected the draft will be referred to the Parliamentary Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs which will consult on the draft in early 2009.
We DO care about captions
Posted December 2nd, 2008Thanks to everyone who responded to our request for action on captions on Channel 9. We received hundreds of emails in support of our request to Channel 9 to reinstate captions on the programs they cut.
We thank all those who also intervened with Channel 9 including Senator Stephen Conroy, Margaret May MP, Senator Rachel Seiwert.
We have given copies of all of your emails to Senator Conroy, to Channel 9, and to the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Thank you for caring about captions.
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Give people with disability a go with Opportunity
Posted November 19th, 2008On 18 November 2008 Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, Bill Shorten, launched a new publication which outlines compelling reasons for including people with disability as customers and employees.
Input to the National Disability Strategy - closes 1 December 2008
Posted November 5th, 2008Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, Bill Shorten, launched a discussion paper in October 2008 for the National Disability Strategy.
"To ensure the National Disability Strategy is practical and effective, the Australian Government, in consultation with State and Territory Governments, has developed a discussion paper to generate public comment," Ms Macklin said.