Users informing users: a web 2.0 approach to information about accessible telecommunications for people with disability

This proposed presentation will open up discussion on a current Web 2.0 project intended to help address the information requirements of people with disability needing accessible and reliable telecommunications solutions. Its genesis came out of long discussions between the authors about the effectiveness for consumers of the Communications Alliance industry code C625:2009 Information on Accessibility Features for Telephone Equipment. It was suggested by one of us, Robert Morsillo, that a Wiki based web solution that allowed users, carers, industry experts and others to share relevant information and recommendations, and actual experience on the accessibility of communications products and services in Australia, might allow consumers to act with greater confidence in the market, as well as influence that market. Further, surveys among people with complex communications needs (CCN) and/ or severe communications impairments (SCI), by one of us, Rob Garrett, indicated that information availability was a high priority issue for these groups. This new project, funded primarily by ACCAN, with in-kind support and funds from ACE, Telstra and Novita, is seeking to address this issue in a way that can be scaled to meet the information needs of all consumers with an interest in accessibility of telecommunications products and services.