Access, Challenges and Emerging Possibilities for Consumer Electronics and Home Appliances

The Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) has released a discussion paper examining the Access, Challenges and Emerging Possibilities for Consumer Electronics and Home Appliances.

Disability discrimination commissioner, Graeme Innes AM, has called for more attention on access for older people and people with disabilities in the design of consumer electronics and appliances.

Mr Innes said the discussion paper researched access issues for blind or vision impaired people, the Deaf or hearing impaired, people with physical disabilities and those with limited dexterity or fine motor control.

It looked at accessibility of a range of consumer electronics, including: home entertainment systems and remotes, whitegoods and other appliances, home environment, portable devices, and personal care, health and fitness devices.

Mr Innes said the discussion paper provided a starting point to making consumer electronic products and appliances more accessible.

The Overlooked Consumers paper makes 15 recommendations to improve access, including: dialogue with industry, making access a feature of the Australian Design Awards and developing grants and tax incentives for manufacturers willing to develop accessible products.