Telecommunications

Many occupations require people to communicate over a telephone. Some of the major telecommunications suppliers provide a range of specialised telephone products and services for eligible people with disability who are unable to use a standard telephone handset.

Workplace solutions and adjustments

For people with disability such as hearing impairment, blindness, vision impairment or dexterity issues, using a standard telephone may be difficult. There is a variety of equipment and modifications that may be able to assist a person with disability to use the phone effectively, including:

• Multi-Media Response Relay Service (MMR)
• National Relay Service (NRS)
• Telephones—captioning
• Telephones—mobile phones
• VOIP, Social Networking sites and video calling

People wishing to enquire about telecommunications services and equipment available for improved accessibility by those with disability, should contact their telecommunications provider or investigate the availability of relevant services through a range of providers.

References

Australian Communication Exchange 2011, ACE CapTel, Australian Communication Exchange Ltd, Brisbane, viewed 1 February 2011, http://www.aceinfo.net.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=17.

Deaf Australia Inc. 2010, What is Deaf equivalent to Voice Telephony, Deaf Australia Inc., Brisbane, viewed 1 February 2011, http://www.deafau.org.au/info/paper_voctel.php.

National Relay Service 2007, Equipment, National Relay Service, Balmain, viewed 1 February 2011, http://www.relayservice.com.au/making-a-call/ttys/.

Telstra 2010, Disability Products and Services, Telstra, Melbourne, viewed 1 February 2011, http://telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/commitments/disability-services/disability-products-services/index.htm.

Would you like more information?

• Call centre systems—accessible
• Mobile phones for the blind or vision impaired
• Paging devices—auditory
• Paging devices—vibrating
• Telecommunications
• Telephone amplification
• Telephone couplers—portable
• Telephone extension ringers
• Telephone headsets—dual channel
• Telephone headsets—monaural with earpiece
• Telephone holders—gooseneck
• Telephone light sensors
• Telephone shoulder rests
• Telephone visual alarm units
• Telephone voice amplifiers
• Telephone volume controls
• Telephone—large number stickers
• Telephones—hands-free
• Telephones—large button
• Telephones—touch phones
• TTY — telephone typewriters