Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

On Sunday, December 3rd, the 1 in 5 Australians who have a disability celebrated the achievements and accomplishments gained since the International Year of the Disabled Person twenty five years ago.

“There is much to celebrate for people with disability when we look back over 25 years,” said Maryanne Diamond, CEO of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations. “The introduction in 2002 of the Australian banking standards in ATMs, EFPOS machines, as well as access to telephone and Internet services is a highlight of how the community sector can work with industry to achieve real and effective change,” Ms Diamond continued.

The development of a wide range of technologies over the last 25 years has enabled people with disability to gain access to the information economy. There is much to do to ensure that the cost of equipment and infrastructure is not out of the reach of people with disability who are struggling to make ends meet.

“Disability access to technology is not something to be added on, or thought of at a later time, it is essential and cost effective for it to be built into systems at the time of development,” said Ms Diamond.