It is important that the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy is made aware of the issues that people with disability will face in accessing services over the National Broadband Networks—for example, affordability, capacity building, regulation for universal access. The National Disability Strategy will provide the opportunity and impetus for the Australian Government to promote people with disability as both consumers and a market for services and applications that can be developed for delivery over the National Broadband Network. As part of this process the Australian, and local governments are encouraged to engage with the community including people with disability, their families and carers, consumer groups such as Australian Communications Consumer Action Network and industry. Success indicator Evidence that suggests people with disability, their families and carers are embracing the digital economy with increased use of applications and services enabled by the NBN will be used to measure success. Action 1.9.2. Remote hearing and vision services for children Why is this important? Children with hearing and vision impairment in regional and rural areas who do not receive early intervention require more intensive assistance in mainstream schools and may miss key development milestones. Their families face significant hardship in travelling to major cities to receive regular treatment. This issue is particularly significant in Indigenous communities where children face a disproportionate likelihood of hearing impairment. What will it do? Taking advantage of the increased and capacity of the National Broadband Network, the Remote Hearing and Vision Services for Children Initiative will provide children with hearing and vision impairment, and their families, with video-based access to information, guidance, support and skills development from allied health and education professionals where such expertise may otherwise be scarce. Responsibility The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has responsibility for implementing this action. How will it be done? The Australian Government will provide $4.1 million over three years to selected service providers to assist clients to access allied health and education professionals via live, high definition videoconferencing using the National Broadband Network and web-enabled communication technologies. The health and education professionals will be able to see children clearly and offer real-time advice as they undertake exercises and everyday activities such as eating and playing.
It is important that the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy is made aware of the issues that people with disability will face in accessing services over the National Broadband Networks—for example, affordability, capacity building, regulation for universal access. The National Disability Strategy will provide the opportunity and impetus for the Australian Government to promote people with disability as both consumers and a market for services and applications that can be developed for delivery over the National Broadband Network. As part of this process the Australian, and local governments are encouraged to engage with the community including people with disability, their families and carers, consumer groups such as Australian Communications Consumer Action Network and industry. Success indicator Evidence that suggests people with disability, their families and carers are embracing the digital economy with increased use of applications and services enabled by the NBN will be used to measure success. Action 1.9.2. Remote hearing and vision services for children Why is this important? Children with hearing and vision impairment in regional and rural areas who do not receive early intervention require more intensive assistance in mainstream schools and may miss key development milestones. Their families face significant hardship in travelling to major cities to receive regular treatment. This issue is particularly significant in Indigenous communities where children face a disproportionate likelihood of hearing impairment. What will it do? Taking advantage of the increased and capacity of the National Broadband Network, the Remote Hearing and Vision Services for Children Initiative will provide children with hearing and vision impairment, and their families, with video-based access to information, guidance, support and skills development from allied health and education professionals where such expertise may otherwise be scarce. Responsibility The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has responsibility for implementing this action. How will it be done? The Australian Government will provide $4.1 million over three years to selected service providers to assist clients to access allied health and education professionals via live, high definition videoconferencing using the National Broadband Network and web-enabled communication technologies. The health and education professionals will be able to see children clearly and offer real-time advice as they undertake exercises and everyday activities such as eating and playing.