Abstract:

This project which was funded by the Telstra Consumer Consultative Council examines the information needs of blind or vision impaired people as consumers of products,services or public information from bodies such as telecommunication companies, banks and government departments. The project highlights telecommunication issues more than banking and government information issues because the telecommunications infrastructure and usability factors are considered to underpin many aspects of information access. A key part of the research was the use of focus groups in Sydney, Brisbane and country New South Wales. Information was also gathered from key informants with an intimate knowledge of consumer needs, an understanding of current services and an appreciation of potential technological solutions. The project also surveyed current Australian and overseas products, services, projects and policies and proposed a number of strategies for the effective and efficient delivery of accessible consumer information to people who are blind or vision impaired.