Industry committee  Yes. It's also an economic impact on people with disabilities, both because of their generally lower income, but also a problem that has to be solved is the availability of equipment that is specially designed for different disabilities that may cost more. We have to factor into this thing an examination of how the telecommunications industry or the government is going to offer different equipment.

Industry committee  Yes, I think it is the essential issue. We talk about universal service as a telecommunications concept. When we started looking at the entire telecommunications model, it struck us as interesting because there were access issues and universal service issues. This is the language of the disability movement, in a funny way, because the entire community has been isolated for so long and disconnected from full participation in Canadian life.

Industry committee  Yes. I think the real point is that the technology is here now, or almost here now. We really are at a stage where the VOIP age can make the difference for people with disabilities if it's properly managed and regulated. If it's left on its own—like mobile phones have been left on their own until extremely recently—they are completely useless for people with disabilities.

Industry committee  Yes.

Industry committee  I'm moderately satisfied.

Industry committee  We were a party in the decision. On whether we are satisfied with it, $34 million for the disability community is more than we have ever seen. We've never had a positive order like that in Canada. It felt like a victory on a large-scale level. The decision is in the courts now.

Industry committee  I think that for people with disabilities telecommunications is their lifeline. It is the way of communicating and connecting, whether it's through your computer or your telephone. Without connection, people will be more and more isolated and will be less and less employable. It is the government's view that we should be assisting people with disabilities and not creating increased barriers.

Industry committee  If he does not preserve what goes along with in the report, which is to maintain social regulation, we're in a very serious situation. Absolutely, we're in a serious situation. One of the things I have pointed out that I didn't refer to is that currently, if you're using a TTY or long distance, and a person is deaf, you get a reduction in price.

Industry committee  I'm not sure that I can really answer that question. We're looking at a broader thing. For quality of service, I guess the one aspect I can speak to is people who are using broadband for data or text transmission, in particular, who have disabilities and with VOIP can really benefit from the many different kinds of communications and transmissions that can occur.

Industry committee  I see my time's going.

Industry committee  Thank you very much for the opportunity to attend. I'd like to start with some comments about disability in Canada, and point out that every Canadian is likely to have a disability at some time or other. Many people have had a disability all of their lives, while others may have a disability caused by an accident or an illness.