What kind of accessibility requirements do broadcasters have to meet for people with disabilities?

In Plain English

Broadcasters in Australia have to make sure their services are accessible to people with disabilities. Here's a breakdown:

• Television: Television program providers need to caption their programs so that people who are deaf or hard of hearing can understand them. The captions need to be good quality, readable, accurate, and easy to understand. This helps make sure everyone has equal access to information and ideas on TV.
• Telecommunications: Phone companies have to provide equipment that helps people with disabilities use standard phone services. This includes things like teletypewriters (TTYs) for text communication, amplified phones for people with hearing impairments, and hands-free phones for those who can't hold a handset.
• Building Accessibility: New buildings need to include features like ramps, accessible parking spaces, tactile indicators, hearing augmentation systems, and appropriate signage.

Detailed Explanation

Australian legislation mandates several accessibility requirements for broadcasters and related services to ensure inclusivity for people with disabilities. These requirements span across television, telecommunications, and physical infrastructure.

1. Television Captioning:

• The Broadcasting Services (Television Captioning) Standard 2023 mandates that television program providers make their programs accessible to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• This is achieved by providing captioning that meets minimum quality standards, ensuring it is meaningful to viewers.
• The Standard emphasizes readability, accuracy, and comprehensibility of captions, aligning with the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
• This standard promotes the right to receive information and ideas, consistent with Article 19(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 21 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
• The Broadcasting Services (Television Captioning) Standard 2023 enhances accessibility of information and communications, consistent with Article 9 of the CRPD.

2. Telecommunications Equipment and Services:

• The Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) (Accessible Standard Telephone Services) Regulations 2023 ensures that telecommunications users with disabilities receive suitable supportive equipment to access standard telephone services.
• This regulation specifies the types of equipment to be provided by the universal services provider, such as teletypewriters, equipment for data transmission, amplified handsets, hands-free telephones, and visual alert systems.
• The Telecommunications (Requirements for Customer Equipment for Use with the Standard Telephone Service — Features Designed for People with Disability — AS/ACIF S040) Standard 2025 sets technical requirements for customer equipment, including hearing aid coupling and tactile indicators on keypads.
• This standard adopts the Australian Standard AS/ACIF S040:2001, promoting equal access to communications technologies and systems, aligning with Article 9 of the CRPD.
• The Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Regulations 2018 introduces a policy objective to assist people who are deaf or have hearing/speech impairments to use mainstream communication services, alongside the National Relay Service.

3. Building Accessibility:

• The Disability (Access to Premises — Buildings) Standards 2010 mandates accessibility features in new building work to ensure people with disabilities can access premises.
• Key requirements include accessible pedestrian entrances, ramps, stairways, passenger lifts, and accessways.
• The standards also specify requirements for accessible carparking spaces, signage (including braille and tactile signage), and hearing augmentation systems in specific building types.
• Tactile ground surface indicators are required to warn people who are blind or have vision impairment of hazards like stairways and ramps.
• In Class 9b assembly buildings, wheelchair seating spaces must be provided according to specific ratios.

These measures collectively aim to uphold the rights of people with disabilities, ensuring equal access to information, communication, and participation in community life, consistent with the principles of the CRPD.