In the article, Wallace argues that the NBN has the potential to bridge gaps between city and country, rich and poor, abled and disabled. “Work to address those barriers needs to happen now so that we build in the access features up-front and don't repeat the mistakes we made with poorly planned inaccessible built infrastructure and housing. Building it and assuming they will come is not enough.”
The NBN will allow Australians with disabilities to make the most of the technologies that are available and those that are yet to be developed. For instance, a high speed connection could allow for real time captioned content on digital radio, or seamless internet browsing for a blind user.
Disabilities Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes will chair a discussion about how the National Broadband Access will increase inclusion for people with disabilities. The panel, to be held at the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network’s (ACCAN) annual conference, will bring together experts from both technology and advocacy backgrounds to talk about how effective policy can ensure that the NBN reaches its true potential for social inclusion.
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