Disability Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

6 September , 2024

Medical Authorities Urged to Address ‘ticking time bomb’ of 3G Shutdown on Medical Devices

Medical authorities must take urgent action to ensure that up to 200,000 medical implant recipients are aware of the health threat posed by the looming 3G network shutdown. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said the recent delay to the shutdown of the 3G network was to be applauded, but there was growing concern that people were…

27 August , 2024

Advocates Welcome New Aviation Transport Standards, Urge Genuine Co-Design with People with Disability

The Justice and Equity Centre (‘JEC’) and People with Disability Australia (‘PWDA’) welcome today’s White Paper announcing the Government’s intentions to develop new Disability Standards for air travel. This is a significant first step in addressing longstanding discrimination by airlines which has prevented people with disability from being able to travel by air equally with…

27 August , 2024

Improving Advocacy by Aged Care and Disability Services – New Standard Published

Empowering older people and people with disability to participate effectively in decisions affecting the quality of their lives is a keystone of a civil society. The recent Royal Commissions on ageing and disability highlighted the importance of government-funded advocacy services in the empowerment of older people and people with disability when they need to access government-funded…

31 July , 2024

Calls for Airline and Airport Accessibility Standards

Wheelchair user and disability advocate, Akii Ngo says accessibility standards for air travel must be drastically improved following an accident in May 2022. Akii fell from a Jetstar aisle chair while being pushed by a Jetstar staff member as they disembarked. The way the staff member operated the chair contributed to Akii’s accident. Akii says this…

27 June , 2024

Majority of Concessioners Not Aware of Energy Bill Concessions

A new independent report released by the Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research at the University of Melbourne reveals that just over 35 percent of Australians have a concession card, yet only one third of them are aware they may be eligible for energy concessions on their bills. The report surveyed 3187 respondents, 1154…

17 May , 2024

Productivity Commission National Competition Policy Reforms Submission

Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) and CHOICE has made a submission to the Productivity Commission about future National Competition Policy reforms. The submission stresses the need to analyse potential policy reforms with a focus on their effects on consumers and households, urging the Commission to prioritise understanding how different groups might be affected. The submission’s…

1 May , 2024

Consumer Research on Defining Communication

Researchers from Deakin University and the Victorian University of Wellington are conducting an Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) funded project and are looking for participants. The goal of the project is to understand how ‘communication’ is understood by diverse consumers, with the view to better inform the regulation of digital communications technologies. Participation will…

4 March , 2024

Seeking CFA member to prepare joint consumer submissions to the Independent Review of the 2020 General Insurance Code of Practice

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has appointed a Review Panel to conduct an independent review of the 2020 General Insurance Code of Practice. As part of this, the ICA is providing resourcing to the Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) for the preparation of joint consumer submissions and engagement with the review.
Please send expressions of interest to info@consumersfederation.org.au by c.o.b. Thursday 7 March 2024. If this date is difficult, please contact CFA Chair

2 February , 2024

ACCAN Open 2024 Grants Round

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has now opened its 2024 grants round, below is the overview also provided on ACCAN’s website here. 2024 Grants Round NOW OPEN Submit your application by: Friday 23rd February, 2024, 5pm AEDT. Contact Us: If you are thinking of applying, we encourage you to speak with us in advance.…

12 December , 2023

ABA Updates and Broadens Accessibility Framework

Every Australian deserves equitable access to banking services. That’s why the Australian Banking Association (ABA) has broadened the scope of its accessibility framework to ensure the banking sector remains inclusive in a fast-changing digital landscape.
An important addition to the Accessibility and Inclusion Principles for Banking Services is a section on embedding accessibility into digital authentication processes, as the banking industry steps up its fight against scams, fraud and identiy theft.

29 November , 2023

Consultation Opens on Use of Genetic Testing in Life Insurance

Currently, the Disability Discrimination Act provides an exemption for life insurers to use genomic or genetic test results when underwriting life insurance contracts. Since 2019, an industry-regulated partial-moratorium has been in place that prohibits the use of these tests below certain financial limits.
The government encourages all interested parties to make a submission in response to the consultation paper, which can be found on the Treasury website.

31 October , 2023

Have Your Say: New Advocacy in Ageing and Disability Standard Opens for Public Consultation

People with a disability and older persons are some of the most vulnerable in Australia. They need to have their voice heard on issues that are important to them to protect and promote their rights. For this reason, the requirements established by a new Draft Standard on Ageing and Disability is to provide uniform minimum…