At the Signposts for Change: People with Disabilities and Telecommunications Forum in Melbourne on 16 February 2009, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced that he had asked his Department to undertake a feasibility study into whether a disability equipment program independent of carriers should be established. The study included the possibility that mobile phones (+ accessories/software) and Internet access could be included in an independent Disability Equipment Program!

A discussion paper to inform the feasibility study was released by the Minister in mid-March. The discussion paper outlined some of the key issues relating to the supply of specialised telecommunications equipment to people with disabilities and invited interested parties and organisations to lodge submissions responding to a series of questions embedded in the paper by April 17. The paper is available on the Department’s website at www.dbcde.gov.au/idepstudy,

AMTA lodged a submission on behalf of the mobile telecommunications industry.

AMTA submission can be viewed here.