• Able Australia

Read the full text

05 July 2011This report details a consumer research and education project concerning the usage of telecommunications by people experiencing deafblindness in Australia. A survey was developed and distributed through Able Australia’s national networks to deafblind people, case studies were collated, and a consumer information website was developed for deafblind consumers and their support networks.

The research findings and case studies presented provide a snapshot of current access to telecommunications including the limitations and barriers faced by deafblind Australians; The findings and recommendations will assist government and consumer organisations with communications policy development.

On a broad level, the research shows that people who are deafblind have significant difficulty accessing telecommunication devices. The reasons for this include:

• Insufficient funds or funding support to purchase required specialised equipment or software to enable telecommunication devices and online services to be accessed in the same ways as others can;
• Insufficient training options to learn how to use telecommunication equipment, computers and the Internet. Due to their complex communication needs, finding skilled trainers is difficult;
• Insufficient funding for support staff or Interpreters to assist deafblind people with learning to use telecommunication equipment, computers and the Internet;
• Support staff and Interpreters also need training to work with deafblind people because of their complex communication requirements.

It is important to note that the survey was not provided in Auslan: the same resource challenges faced by organisations providing services to people who are deafblind were faced by the researchers, and it was clear from the data that many participants required assistance to complete the survey. However many respondents contributed additional comments along with their survey responses, demonstrating their enthusiasm to participate and to have their experience represented.

It should also be noted that while the issues identified in the report are focused on supporting telecommunications access, similar issues arise in deafblind people’s access to everyday life experiences such as shopping, banking, housing, travel, and participation in community.

The report also documents the development of a dedicated website focusing on deafblind telecommunications in Australia. The website continues to be an innovative resource for the deafblind community in that it was designed for and by its members. The website was created by communications consultant Peter Tarrant, who is deafblind himself, and involved collating relevant information on telecommunications and social networking with support from colleagues. Ultimately the website aims to empower members of the deafblind community to learn through online community, and to access and share information specifically related to their lived experience. The website development continues at www.dbt.org.au.

The report concludes with a series of recommendations aimed to make communications more available, accessible and affordable for consumers experiencing deafblindness.