Are we there yet?: the struggle for phone accessibility information

An international online database was launched in 2009 by the Mobile Manufacturers Forum on accessibility features on mobile phones for people with disabilities (AMTA 2009). This was a direct result of the development of an Australian Industry Code about information on accessibility features for telephone equipment.This paper outlines the need for phone accessibility information by consumers and describes the complex processes that led to this new service. It examines the code development process and its difficulties. It is an example of the need to consider changing the self-regulatory model to better benefit consumers with disabilities. Copyright 2010 Rob Garrett and Gunela Astbrink. No part of this article may be reproduced by any means without the written consent of the publisher.