2007 PhD Thesis Final Revised.pdf - Curtin University

Telstra and Maguire v SOCOG cases highlight the importance of accessible
technologies in allowing access to communicating and information. In the case of
the Maguire ruling, the case demonstrates the significance of providing accessible
online information. It also provides an insight into the way in which the legislative
framework is inadequate in providing for the current provision of online information.
The media, who are also vital in providing information online, take a more active
approach in providing accessible information. Although there are accessibility
issues, corporations such as the ABC and the BBC work hard to ensure a level of
accessibility within their information distribution. Given society’s increasing
reliance on multimedia and other visual aspects of information provision, it is likely
that the provision of accessible online information will remain a struggle for people
who are blind or vision impaired.
Given the accessibility issues present in the access of online information, it is
left to the effectiveness of mainstream and AT products and services to address these
concerns at a user level. Therefore, the final element in determining the broader
issues of the current disability divide revolve around corporate policy and the
effectiveness of current mainstream and disability-specific products and services.
The next chapter examines the relationship between the provision of operating
systems, software applications and hardware in relation to the disability divide.
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