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Information about consumer rights now available in ASL and LSQ on carriers’ and CWTA’s websites

OTTAWA – December 15, 2017 –Information concerning the Wireless Code is now available for consumers that are deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing (DDBHH), thanks to collaborative work between the Canadian wireless industry and Deaf Wireless Canada Consultative Committee-Comité pour les Services Sans fil des Sourds du Canada (DWCC-CSSSC), Canadian Association of the Deaf-Association des Sourds du Canada (CAD-ASC), Canadian National Society of Deaf-Blind (CNSDB), Deafness Advocacy Association Nova Scotia (DAANS), Society of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nova Scotians (SDHHNS), and Canadian Hearing Society (CHS).

The Wireless Code was introduced by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 2013, and updated in 2017, to reflect new wireless service provider obligations. The Code is intended to make it easier for a wireless consumer to understand their mobile plan; to change providers; to avoid bill shock; to return their cellphone if they are unhappy with their service; and to have their phone unlocked at no charge.

The Code also provides additional rights for persons who are deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing, and persons with a disability, including the ability to receive important documents in accessible formats, and an extended trial period to ensure their service is suitable.

The Wireless Code and your rights as a Canadian wireless consumer is available on carrier websites, as well as on CWTA’s wirelessaccessibility.ca. The ASL video allows the DDBHH community to access an overview of the Wireless Code in an accessible format. An LSQ version, Le Code sur les services sans fil et vos droits à titre de consommateurs is also available.

Additional videos in ASL and LSQ that explain common wireless service terminology will be developed in 2018. The ongoing collaboration between wireless services providers and the DDBHH community underlines the wireless industry’s commitment to ensuring informed access to its services by all consumers across Canada.

Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA)
CWTA is the authority on wireless issues, developments and trends in Canada. It represents companies that provide services and products across the wireless sector. Representing the industry before all levels of government and various regulatory agencies, CWTA actively promotes the industry with the goal of ensuring continued growth of the wireless sector in Canada. CWTA administers a number of initiatives on behalf of its members, including corporate social responsibility programs and the national common short codes program.

Related links
The Wireless Code and your rights as a Canadian wireless consumer: https://youtu.be/9uDy0HQdVcA
Le Code sur les services sans fil et vos droits à titre de consommateurs: https://youtu.be/bKqq0dSA7qs

Media enquiries
Sophie Paluck, Director of Communications, CWTA
[email protected]
613-233-4888, ext. 207

Follow us on Twitter | twitter.com/CWTAwireless

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