Advocacy

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advocacy

We take our members' concerns to the nation's leaders.

Our aim is to be the trusted and authoritative adviser on issues facing the deafness sector. Our approach is to provide clear advice and actionable inputs to Government and the Opposition's policies.

Our submissions in 2013

A submission to government titled "Access to Public Transport gives you access to your community and a better life" prepared by the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations. Deafness Forum is a member of AFDO. Ω

A proposal to the Minister for Human Services in May, advocating a trial of real time captions and video relay interpreting services in government shopfronts such as DisabilityCare Australia, Centrelink and Medicare offices.

Also in May we announced our formal position on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (DisabilityCare Australia) following the release of the 2013 federal budget. Ω

A formal submission incorporating our members' views on the National Disability Insurance Scheme and what are referred to as the NDIS Rules. Our submission went beyond a response to the draft Rules. Deafness Forum’s members and networks believe that the NDIS planners have not comprehended the needs of our sector. This submission is an opportunity for NDIS planners to pause to consider our views. Ω

An Open Letter to our Federal Parliamentarians asking, Why is it our nation’s parliament is not communications accessible for people who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment? Parliamentarians were urged to take two simple actions:

Insist that a world class audio loop is installed in the Great Hall

Insist that all monitors in public areas have the captions switched on

In this way, Australia will join progressive nations like Canada and the United Kingdom in providing inclusive communications access for all its citizens who visit the nation’s meeting place. We received support from Tanya Plibersek MP, Mark Butler MP, Kim Carr MP, Senator Mitch Fifield, Tony Windsor MP, Andrew Leigh MP.

A request to the Accessible Cinema Advisory Group, the government funded body that oversights the roll-out of closed captioning in cinemas using the Captiview system. We asked for clarification on rumours that if 20 or more cinema-goers requested on-screen captions, the cinemas could provide it.

An earlier submission to the Accessible Cinema Advisory Group. Deafness Forum advised there is a deep dissatisfaction with the technology and the management of it by cinemas:

The device is technically flawed. It drops out. It often does not start on time. It sometimes does not work at all. Stories abound of patrons getting free tickets because the device failed.

Advertising of captioned movies is inadequate, often non existent, often incorrect.

It is clear that the device is leading to many people simply opting out. They are indicating that rather than be forced to use CaptiView they will wait for the DVD. The fear is that should we push for better alternatives, cinemas will simply indicate no demand without looking at the underlying reasons.

A submission to the Channel Ten television network expressing disappointment that the current TV series of “Masterchef” is not being shown on Channel Ten’s online catch up service with any accessibility features, such as captioning and / or text transcripts. We find this particularly perplexing as there is a Deaf participant in the series, Bonnie.

A submission to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, “IMPROVING THE EMPLOYMENT PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY IN AUSTRALIA” Ω

A submission to COAG (a group comprising the Prime Minister and all state and territory government leaders) on the need for government intervention to ensure that only the highest standard of providers of services are accredited under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Ω

A submission to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, the government watchdog for public broadcasting (as well as other communication mediums), explaining our view that the draft captioning quality standard for television stations falls short of ensuring "meaningful" caption standards for Hearing Impaired and Deaf consumers

Contributed to a submission by the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, of which Deafness Forum is a foundation member, offering constructive advice on the draft NDIS law.