Telecommunications Disability Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for use with the Standard Telephone Service — Features for special needs of persons with disabilities — AS/ACIF S040) 2002
The AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY makes this Standard under subsection 380 (1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997.
Dated 15 March 2002
A J SHAW
Chair
R HORTON
Deputy Chair
Australian Communications Authority
1 Name of Standard
(1) This Standard is the Telecommunications Disability Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for use with the Standard Telephone Service — Features for special needs of persons with disabilities — AS/ACIF S040) 2002.
(2) This Standard may also be cited as AS/ACIF S040:2001.
Note 1 The alternate citation mentioned in subsection (2) is the name by which the AS/ACIF Standard, adopted by this Standard under section 6, is usually cited. The AS/ACIF Standard was published in 2001.
Note 2 The AS/ACIF Standard, as adopted by this Standard, does not include any amendments that may subsequently be made by Standards Australia and the Australian Communications Industry Forum. If such amendments are made, there will be a discrepancy between the terms of this instrument and those of the AS/ACIF instrument of that name until such time as the AS/ACIF Standard amendments are adopted by the ACA.
2 Commencement
This Standard commences on gazettal.
3 Objects of Standard
The object of this Standard is to provide for requirements relating to specified customer equipment that:
(a) is for use in connection with the standard telephone service; and
(b) is for use primarily by persons who do not have a disability; and
(c) has features that are designed to cater for any or all of the special needs of persons with disabilities.
4 Definition
In this Standard:
AS/ACIF Standard means Australian Communications Industry Forum/Australian Standard: Requirements for Customer Equipment for use with the Standard Telephone Service — Features for special needs of persons with disabilities, published in Australia in December 2001 by the Australian Communications Industry Forum and Standards Australia International Limited, without amendment.
Note Customer equipment and standard telephone service are defined in section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1997. Disability is defined in section 380 of that Act.
5 Application of Standard
This Standard applies to customer equipment that:
(a) uses a telephone handset or keypad that is manufactured in Australia, or imported, for use with the standard telephone service; and
(b) is for use primarily by persons who do not have a disability; and
(c) has features that are designed to cater for any or all of the special needs of persons with disabilities.
6 Standard with which customer equipment must comply
The customer equipment to which this Standard applies must comply with the AS/ACIF Standard.
Overview
The Telecommunications Disability Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for use with the Standard Telephone Service — Features for special needs of persons with disabilities — AS/ACIF S040) 2002 was enacted to address the gap in accessibility for persons with disabilities in the use of standard telephone services. This legislative instrument was made by the Australian Communications Authority under the authority granted by the Telecommunications Act 1997. The objective of this Standard is to ensure that customer equipment, primarily used by persons without disabilities, incorporates features that cater to the special needs of persons with disabilities. The Standard applies to customer equipment that uses a telephone handset or keypad manufactured or imported for use with the standard telephone service, and it mandates compliance with the AS/ACIF Standard. This legislative measure seeks to enhance the inclusivity of telecommunications services by providing specific requirements for customer equipment to ensure accessibility for all users, regardless of their disability status.
Scope and Application
The Telecommunications Disability Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for use with the Standard Telephone Service — Features for special needs of persons with disabilities — AS/ACIF S040) 2002 applies to customer equipment that is designed for use with the standard telephone service and is primarily intended for individuals without disabilities but includes features catering to the special needs of persons with disabilities. This encompasses equipment such as telephone handsets or keypads, whether manufactured in Australia or imported. The legislation mandates that such equipment must adhere to the AS/ACIF Standard, which was published in December 2001 by the Australian Communications Industry Forum and Standards Australia International Limited. This standard ensures that the equipment meets specific requirements to assist individuals with disabilities. It is noteworthy that any subsequent amendments to the AS/ACIF Standard are not automatically incorporated into this legislation, potentially leading to discrepancies until such amendments are formally adopted by the Australian Communications Authority.
Key Provisions
The Telecommunications Disability Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for use with the Standard Telephone Service — Features for special needs of persons with disabilities — AS/ACIF S040) 2002 (the Standard) establishes requirements for customer equipment designed to cater to the special needs of persons with disabilities. This Standard (sections 1 and 3) is applicable to equipment such as telephone handsets or keypads manufactured in Australia or imported, intended for use with the standard telephone service and primarily by persons without disabilities but incorporating features to support those with disabilities. The Standard mandates that such equipment must adhere to the AS/ACIF Standard (section 6), which was adopted and published in December 2001 by the Australian Communications Industry Forum and Standards Australia International Limited.
Entities governed by the Standard must ensure that their customer equipment complies with the AS/ACIF Standard, which includes detailed specifications and requirements intended to support individuals with disabilities. This compliance is essential for any equipment designed to interface with the standard telephone service and aimed at the general public, which also includes features beneficial to those with disabilities. The obligations imposed by the Standard are primarily concerned with the technical specifications and design of the equipment to ensure it meets the necessary accessibility criteria.
Failure to comply with the Standard may result in various consequences. While the Standard itself does not explicitly detail specific penalties or offences, non-compliance could potentially lead to regulatory actions under the overarching Telecommunications Act 1997. This could include enforcement actions by the Australian Communications Authority or other regulatory bodies, which might impose fines or other penalties. The potential for civil or criminal liability would depend on the extent of non-compliance and any resultant harm or disadvantage to persons with disabilities. The penalties for breaches could range from financial penalties to corrective measures or even cessation of operation if the non-compliance is significant and persistent.