Telecommunications Access Project Discussion Paper: Call for Expressions of Interest

Telecommunications Access Project Discussion Paper: Call for Expressions
of Interest

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

Further assistance regarding this project may be obtained from:

Mr Bruce Maguire - Disability Rights Unit

Phone: 02 9284 9613

TTY: 1800 620 241

E-mail: brucemaguire@humanrights.gov.au

Expressions of interest must be forwarded to Mr Maguire electronically
as a Word or HTML document by cob on 26 November 2002

Part 1 Statement of Work

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) invites suitably
qualified consultants to submit a proposal to prepare a discussion paper
on access issues for people with disabilities in relation to existing
and emerging telecommunications products and services.

1. Background

Access to telecommunications has been a significant area of complaints
under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and provides some of
the major success stories over the past few years. The Commission maintains
a telecommunications page as part of its web site with links to other
related sources of information (see resources section below).

Given the very rapid developments in the technologies and services associated
with telecommunications, it is obviously an area of immense significance
for economic and social participation, but also one in which the impact
of discrimination could be very serious for such participation.

The DDA (and its use through the Scott v Telstra case) contributed to
access for people with disabilities being built into the standard telephone
service as defined in the Telecommunications Act and in practice as delivered
(principally by Telstra).

There has been substantial progress on some disability access issues
covered by the standard telephone service. However, there have also been
other issues where progress on removing discrimination through the development
of voluntary standards has been slow, despite apparent good will from
industry.

Also, the requirements for the standard telephone service do not extend
to many of the telecommunications services that have been developed in
recent years, and that will be developed in the years ahead. Many of these
new services incorporate mobile phones, and rely on SMS (short message
system) and wireless access to the Internet. Such services are becoming
increasingly important in Australia's economy and society.

Telecommunications is an area in which

technology is advancing rapidly; consequently, new possibilities for
inclusion and equal access are becoming available;
at the same time, new challenges and areas in which people with disabilities
are being left behind are also emerging;
while there appears to be considerable goodwill and willingness to
innovate to achieve access from some sections of industry there is scope
for improvement in structures for cooperation, consultation and standard
setting;
HREOC is not the sole or lead regulator, but has the potential to
play an important part in assisting actions by others.

A number of issues in this area are currently the subject of complaints
that have already been made or foreshadowed to us.

The Commission is aware of concern by some disability representative
organisations about the inaccessibility of telecommunications services,
and we have been asked to investigate the area, in particular focussing
on SMS messaging services and mobile phone hardware.

Examples of issues raised about SMS include:

SMS services provided to other users are not accessible to blind or
vision-impaired people
Handsets offered or provided in association with mobile phone services
do not provide access on equitable terms to the same range of features
as are available to other users
SMS is extremely useful for Deaf users, but in order to get the level
of usage that they need, they have to pay for voice services that cannot
be used.

In addition to SMS issues the introduction of the 3G (third generation)
mobile telecommunications network will have far-reaching implications
for telecommunications services, and so it seems timely for HREOC to move
accessibility issues forward, especially since there seems to be goodwill
on the part of industry.

Rather than undertake a project into a single issue such as SMS the Commission
has decided to look into telecommunications generally.

As a starting point we are commissioning a discussion paper to provide
a framework for an agenda on disability access and telecommunications
issues. This will serve as a platform for further approaches both in public
discussion and in discussions with industry and government players.

2. Scope

Expressions of interest are invited to develop a discussion paper which
will address issues including:

Identifying difficulties experienced by people with disabilities in
accessing current telecommunications services and equipment;
Identifying possibilities for improving access to current services
and equipment;
Reviewing access issues and possibilities arising from projected developments
in telecommunications services and equipment
Assessing the relevance of overseas standard setting and other relevant
developments and policies for the Australian context;
Discussing potential roles (regulatory and program) for government
and industry in achieving more accessible telecommunications services
and equipment.

The primary objective of the discussion paper is to raise the profile
of accessibility issues and assist the Commission to establish an agreed
framework for action to reduce discrimination.

3. Detailed Requirements

The consultancy will comprise the following component tasks.

Initial meetings and ongoing liaison with Project Manager and relevant
HREOC personnel.
Consulting with key stakeholders including the disability community,
service providers, manufacturers, regulators and Government to determine
stakeholder concerns.
Review overseas standard setting and other relevant policy developments.
Preparation of draft paper.
Finalisation of paper.

4. Timetable

The duration of this project will be a maximum of ten to twelve weeks
from the date the contract is awarded.

5. Fee Basis and Payment Schedule

The fee basis shall be a lump sum for the project on completion.

Approved travel costs, in addition to the fee, will be met by the Commission.

6. Further Information

People submitting an expression of interest should direct any questions
arising to Mr Bruce Maguire on 02 9284 9613 TTY 1800 620 241 or brucemaguire@humanrights.gov.au

7. Resources

General information on the Commission's work in the area of telecommunications
is available at http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/communications/communic…

The Commission has previously conducted one public inquiry (on mobile
phones and access for hearing aid users) in this area, based on a complaint
lodged under the DDA: see http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/inquiries/MP_index/mp_i…

Part 2 Evaluation

8. Proposal Content

This part outlines the selection process and specifies the minimum requirements
to be addressed. The Expression of interest should include:

Name and address of the individual or organisation.
A statement demonstrating an understanding of access to telecommunications
issues and the DDA.
A brief outline showing how the project will be approached and undertaken.
Details of relevant projects or similar work undertaken including
at least two referees.
A project budget.

9. Selection Criteria

Proposals will be assessed according to the criteria outlined below:

1. Knowledge and experience in the area of telecommunications and access
for people with disabilities.

2. Understanding of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 as it relates
to access to telecommunications services and equipment.

3. Appropriateness of proposed approach.

4. Demonstrated ability to complete project within timeframes;

Note that it is envisaged that Expressions of interest would not exceed
a $10,000 budget.