LAUNCH OF THE TELSTRA LARGE PRINT BILL
Disability Rights
LAUNCH OF THE TELSTRA
LARGE PRINT BILL
|
Susan 2 |
 |
I'm
very pleased to be here today - not just as Disability Discrimination
Commissioner but to represent the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
There
is an important part of the federal Act that established our Commission
that says we must have regard for the principle that every person is free
and equal in dignity and rights.
One
of the great manifestations of that principle is tomorrow - the International
Day of People with Disabilities.
It
is not often there is a ceremony to mark getting a "bill" but
that is what we are having here tonight launching - Telstra's much welcomed
large print bill.
This
is an appropriate way to lead up to tomorrow because the International
Day is all about empowerment. In 1992 the United Nations proclaimed 3
December each year be observed as the International Day of People with
Disabilities with the aim of promoting better understanding of disability
issues within the community.
It
is also a way of highlighting the work that remains to be done and the
importance of government and business initiatives that make services accessible
to all.
Accessibility
is a special theme of the International Day this year. And access to information
in particular is an important focus of the Commission's current work.
Much
as we all groan when another bill arrives, knowing who it's from, what
it is for and how much we have to pay is basic information that we all
take for granted.
Telephone
bills now contain a lot of information that consumers find useful including
the timing and cost of individual telephone calls, the numbers called
and what subscriber plan is being used.
But
something can only be information if it actually informs.
Presenting
information in a way that is not accessible to everybody denies some people
the right to make decisions about their own lives.
Giving
something vital on a take it or leave it basis is neither practical nor
acceptable and in terms of legal realities can be in breach of the Disability
Discrimination Act.
Telstra's
initiative to introduce the LARGE PRINT bill is a worthy companion to
the billing service they provide in Braille.
I
know Telstra has a major interest in the way digital technology is changing
our lives and offering opportunities for increased accessibility.
The
Commission looks forward to receiving Telstra's submission to our current
inquiry on accessibility of e-commerce. I encourage you to examine how
your on-line services can be used creatively to address access issues
for people with a range of disabilities.
Telstra
has shown great flexibility and leadership in providing an accessible
billing service to customers with a vision impairment. Telstra's commitment
to ensuring equal access to billing information will assist many people
throughout Australia.
There
are many among us whose daily lives include the realities of a disability.
It is essential that those whose business it is to provide goods, services
and facilities do so with respect, understanding and a commitment to access
for all.
And
that's not all ! It is a bonus tonight to receive Telstra's report on
how it has implemented its Disability Action Plan.
Telstra
was the first major corporation to lodge a Disability Action Plan under
the Disability Discrimination Act.
That
means the Telstra plan has been important beyond the boundaries of Telstra
and the telecommunications industry. Those first generation action plans
were eagerly examined by the community, who wanted to know what to expect
from major service providers. They were also closely examined by other
organisations preparing their own action plans
The
second generation action plans had the great advantage of building on
foundations that organisations like Telstra laid.
What
might be called the third generation of action plans is now emerging.
Some of these plans are the outcomes of reviews of existing plans such
as Telstra's.
Some
of them are new plans that benefit from the experience of earlier ones.
We at the Commission often say that it is the action that counts more
than the plan.
In
saying that however we fully appreciate the need for people to make sound
strategic business decisions. In fact carefully considered decisions are
the ones most likely to be implemented and contribute to a world accessible
to all.
On
behalf of the Commission I am delighted to receive Telstra's Action Plan
Implementation Report. Inviting independent examination of one's performance
can be a less than comfortable experience but if action plans are to have
credibility they need to be open to scrutiny.
It's
very pleasing therefore that Telstra has the commitment to undergo scrutiny
on several levels. They commissioned independent experts to review their
performance, subjected the results to analysis, consulted their consumer
forum and finally submitted a report that's a public document.
That's
accountability. That's a clear indication of the organisations commitment
to take on board the intent of the Disability Discrimination Act and indeed
a demonstration of the spirit of the International Day we observe tomorrow.
It
says to the community 'We will not do things that affect your interests
without hearing what you have to say'. Decisions will be made in partnership,
with goodwill and respect for the dignity and rights that we all share.
Before
I close I would like particularly to thank the Telstra staff who have
helped the company progress towards making this a business that is accessible
to all. For most of the life of the D.D.Act. Liz Atkinson has been one
of the key people the Commission has dealt with.
Liz,
you've worked tirelessly and with a tremendous personal will to succeed.
The Commission wishes you all the best in your new job - we're very grateful
for the professionalism and goodwill you brought to our relationship.
To
her successor Bernadette Levett I'd like to say congratulations and welcome
- Disability Rights Unit and I look forward to a productive relationship
with you.
And
I'd also like to say thank you to Margaret Portelli - I appreciate very
much the prominence you give to access for all among the many issues that
come your way.
Telstra
was the first telecommunications company to seriously address the issues
of how to make its services accessible to the widest range of people.
It is no longer the only one - but in part that's because of the leadership
you have displayed and the competitive example set.
I
hope tomorrow is a good day for us all and one where we have an opportunity
to reflect on what else it is that each of us can contribute to celebrating
the rich diversity of the community on International Day of People with
Disabilities.
