Accessibility Archives - Page 11 of 13 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

30 March , 2020

Ecstra Response and recovery grants to assist community organisations during COVID-19

Applications are now open for a grant pool of $3,000,000 to be submitted by 30 April 2020. Ecstra Foundation is a new not for profit organisation committed to building the financial capability of all Australians within a fair financial system. GRANT OVERVIEW Eligible organisations may apply for up to three $100,000 grants Open to established consumer organisations with DGR 1 status Applications close 30…

27 March , 2020

Government must act to address broadband affordability as unemployment predicted to rise: ACCAN

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise a specific stimulus strategy for telecommunications services to keep Australians connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuing social distancing and self-isolation efforts have resulted in millions of Australians increasingly relying on their home broadband service. As Australia’s peak body representing telecommunications consumers,…

26 March , 2020

NDIS Commission releases coronavirus (COVID-19) information for participants and providers

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has produced a COVID-19 information page that contains links to updates, training, alerts and resources for NDIS participants and providers. The information is to inform and support NDIS providers to continue to deliver quality and safe supports and services to NDIS participants. The page contains the following information: Updates…

23 March , 2020

Energy companies’ response to COVID-19 must be rapid, coordinated and ambitious to protect consumers

Commenting after the COAG Energy Council meeting on Friday, Energy Consumers Australia CEO Lynne Gallagher welcomed the call for the energy sector to implement measures to relieve pressures on energy consumers. “It is critical the energy sector moves rapidly and in a coordinated way to implement measures to ensure all households and small businesses…

17 March , 2020

A little relief will go a long way for thousands struggling due to COVID-19

Consumer groups have released the following joint media release calling for companies providing essential services to support their community during the COVID-19 crisis. Widespread disruption caused by COVID-19 is being felt across Australia. It won’t be long before we have thousands of people trying to survive on a reduced income, worried about whether they can…

4 December , 2019

Victorian Government’s class action changes promote corporate accountability

The Victorian Government’s proposed changes to class action rules should enable greater access to justice and promote corporate accountability, according to Consumer Action Law Centre. The Justice Legislation Miscellaneous Amendments Bill 2019, introduced to state parliament this week, will reduce barriers to class actions by allowing lawyers to receive a ‘contingency fee’, a fee that is calculated as…

15 November , 2019

First Nations Foundation launches word-first financial literacy program

First Nations Foundation (FNF) has launched the world’s first digital financial literacy education program to help First Nations people develop their financial knowledge. While the content of My Money Dream has been developed by Indigenous people for Indigenous people, FNF has added the might and scale of Australia’s largest industries by offering this to the…

27 August , 2019

Austroads invites responses to Motorised Mobility Devices Discussion Paper

Austroads, the peak organisation of Australian road transport and traffic agencies, has released a Discussion Paper on Motorised Mobility Devices (MMDs). The paper explores establishing a National Registration and Licencing Scheme and Technical Specification for MMDs, also known as powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters. The Austroads Discussion Paper AP-C107-19 makes a number of recommendations and…

20 April , 2019

Public Transport Ombudsman releases 2019 Accessibility Bulletin

The bulletin looks at some of the accessibility challenges that Victorians face on public transport, and the ways in which we work to help make public transport better for everyone. The Accessibility Bulletin is the first in a series of three annual bulletins to be released this year. Later in 2019 we will publish bulletins…

2 April , 2019

Hardship protections a right not a privilege

A new Customer Hardship Policy Guideline released by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) today will bring greater clarity and consistency to the support retailers are required to provide to their customers and new penalties will apply where retailers fail to meet their obligations. “More Australian households are experiencing difficulty paying their bills. We are seeing rising levels…

25 March , 2019

Telcos warned about disability information failures

The Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA) has formally warned Telstra, Optus and Vodafone for failing to provide information about products and services that may suit the needs of consumers with a disability. Telcos are required to provide this information under telecommunications consumer protection rules. ‘Telecommunications services play a vital role in the lives of all…

16 November , 2018

Assisting customers in financial difficulty

Banks have answered the call by customers in financial difficulty, but more will need to be done before 1 July 2019 to be ready for the ABA’s new and enhanced Code Australian banks have financial difficulty programs that, for the most part, meet the requirements under the 2013 Code of Banking Practice, according to inquiry…