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Ottawa, 28 January 2014
File No.: 8665-C12-200807943
DELIVERED BY EMAIL
To: Distribution List
Subject: Follow-up to Accessibility Policy CRTC 2009-430, Mobile Wireless Services
Dear Sir/Madam:
In the Accessibility Policy CRTC 2009-430, the Commission requested that the Wireless Service Providers (WSPs), in consultation with persons with disabilities, offer by 21 October 2009 at least one type of wireless mobile handset to serve the needs of people who are blind and/or have moderate-to-severe mobility or cognitive disabilities, noting that it would consider imposing a requirement in the future if necessary.
In 2011, the CRTC commissioned the report Mobile Wireless Handset Accessibility Assessment, 27 March 2011 from OCAD University to assess the progress made in the Canadian market with respect to the provision of accessible mobile wireless handsets since the 2009 policy. That report highlighted some progress as well as some gaps that remain for persons who are blind or have moderate-to-severe mobility or cognitive disabilities. The Commission has received a number of complaints in this area.
Commission staff has recently undertaken an initiative to reassess the progress in this area. The Commission has contracted with Connectus Consulting Inc. to develop a report that reviews the progress made by WSPs in complying with the Accessibility Policy since the 2011 OCAD report. Accordingly, we ask that you file with the Commission the information requested in the attachment to this letter no later than 28 February 2014.
The Connectus report is expected to be delivered to the Commission by the end of March 2014, and will subsequently be translated and made publically available. The Commission will review the findings of the 2014 report and determine if further action is required.
Yours sincerely,
ORIGINAL SIGNED BY Steven Harroun for /
Barbara Motzney
Chief Consumer Officer and Executive Director
Consumer Affairs and Strategic Policy
Enclosure
c.c.: nanao.kachi@crtc.gc.ca
steven.harroun@crtc.gc.ca
mary-louise.hayward@crtc.gc.ca
Distribution List:
Bell.regulatory@bell.ca; regulatory.affairs@telus.com; document.control@sasktel.com; iworkstation@mtsallstream.com; regulatory@bell.aliant.ca; dennis.beland@quebecor.com; david.watt@rci.rogers.com; michel.messier@cogeco.com; gary.wong@mobilicity.ca; Regulatory.Matters@corp.eastlink.ca; lisajackson@globalive.com
Paragraph 44 of the Accessibility Policy states: “...the Commission requests that, by
21 October 2009, all WSPs offer and maintain in their inventories at least one type of wireless mobile handset that will provide access to wireless service by persons who are blind and/or have moderate-to-severe mobility or cognitive disabilities.”
Paragraph 46 states: “...The Commission requests that WSPs consult with parties representing persons with disabilities on an ongoing basis to determine which handsets they will make available to address the needs of persons with disabilities. Also in consultation with these groups, the Commission requests that the service providers provide reasonable technical and lifecycle support of these handsets in order to address unique needs, such as those imposed by assistive technologies.”
Provide the following information:
a. Identify by brand and model the wireless mobile handsets offered by your organization that provide access to wireless services by persons who: 1) are blind; 2) have moderate-to-severe mobility; and 3) have moderate-to-severe cognitive disabilities.
b. For each handset identified in a. above, identify the functional (user) features that provide access for the type of disability served. Include details in regard to the purpose of the feature, how it is used, and how it serves users with the identified disability.
c. For each handset identified in a. above, provide details concerning the consultations undertaken with the parties representing persons with disabilities. Include feedback from these parties.
d. For each handset identified in a. above, specify how the accessibility capabilities provided by the handset will be sustained over its life and product evolution.
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