As of July 1st 2009, the disability focused telecommunications lobby group TEDICORE, which was auspiced by AFDO, has been folded into a new consumer lobby group called the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). ACCAN has moved swiftly to establish a disability agenda, making accessibility and affordability a key priority in its strategic plan.

To inform this work, ACCAN has set up a Standing Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (SACDI). Appointed SACDI representatives include AFDO and some of its member organizations, including Brain Injury Australia, National Ethnic Disability Alliance and Deafness Forum. SACDI held its first meeting in early November, with the main focus on promoting telecommunications as a priority in the UN CRPD and the National Disability Strategy. The next meeting of SACDI will be held in Sydney on 17th March 2010.

AFDO members who have telecommunications related issues to raise with SACDI should contact AFDO's representative, Leah Hobson. Leah can be reached at the AFDO office or by emailing leah.hobson@afdo.org.au.