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Media ArticleEmergency Services and Deaf People – Release of Deaf Australia Position PaperMedia Release - 9th May 2008Deaf Australia (previously Australian Association of the Deaf) is pleased to release a new position paper, “Emergency Services and Deaf People”. The position paper explains Deaf Australia’s views in relation to Emergency Services access for Deaf people in Australia, with particular focus on the use of 000 and 106 emergency service numbers.The position paper is based on a discussion paper and questionnaire which Deaf Australia distributed to members and other Deaf people. The survey received a 20% response rate. Currently the only means for Deaf people to access emergency services is by telephone typewriter (TTY) or computer with a modem to call the 106 emergency service number. This type of equipment relies on electricity and is not mobile, which means that if there is a power failure or a Deaf person is away from home and needs emergency services, they are not able to call for help themselves. Findings confirmed that Deaf people feel strongly that it is time for Deaf Australia to lobby for expansion of the current 106 service to include other communication methods that do not require the use of a TTY or computer modem. Examples include using mobile phone handsets and contacting emergency services possibly via SMS, Instant Messaging and/or video communication. "It is time to move on from TTYs and allow Deaf people to have more flexible and mobile access to emergency services," Deaf Australia's President, Kyle Miers, said. Deaf Australia is also pleased to announce that an Emergency Services Forum will be held in Sydney on Tuesday 3rd June 2008. The Forum will discuss issues and solutions and will involve a wide range of people including industry, government and consumers. Details of this forum will be available on our website shortly. Deaf Australia's PositionDeaf people should not be denied their right to have access to emergency services anywhere in Australia, be it using their mobile phone or newer communication technologies, i.e., videophones and a video relay service. The position paper also sets out some recommendations for a just and equitable solution for Deaf people to access emergency services in Australia. A copy of the position paper is available on Deaf Australia’s website.
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