The Commonwealth Government has awarded Concentrix Services a contract to deliver the National Relay Service (NRS).
The CapTel handset service will be terminated from 1 February 2020.
The Government announced its decision when it confirmed that an American company will get the contract to run the NRS in future.
What is CapTel Captioned Telephone?
The Captioned Telephone, or CapTel, works like any other telephone with one important addition: it displays every word the caller says throughout the conversation. CapTel phone users can listen to the caller, and can also read the written captions in the CapTel’s display window.
While the Captel service was not perfect, it did mean that alot of people with hearing loss who would not have usually been able to use the phone were able to do so.
Comments from CICADA QLD
It is indeed a big shock to many Australians, and myself, who rely on and need the CapTel handset. It seems to me that this section of people with a hearing loss have been sacrificed in a big way so that the TTY can be ‘re-introduced’ and then plunge those who went deaf later in life and whom can speak, right back in the dark ages.
It is also a direct insult to the intelligence of the people who worked long and hard to get CapTel up and running in Australia.
Many of our members have spoken of their dismay and disgust, particularly being isolated and the loss of their independence. In the long run, this move will cost the Australian govt much more than it does now.
It is yet to be revealed just what the alternative is going to be for CapTel users.
Shirley Edwards
Secretary
CICADA QLD
How to complain
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, The Hon Paul Fletcher MP – Paul.Fletcher.MP@aph.gov.au
Your Federal MP
Consumer advocates:
Australian Communications Consumer Action Network – Teresa Corbin CEO teresa.corbin@accan.org.au
Deafness Forum of Australia – Steve Williamson CEO Steve.Williamson@deafnessforum.org.au
Let them know how you feel about this service being taken away.
Talking Hearing Loss 