Many people have helped in the writing of this work.
First and foremost, I extend my thanks to Professor Peter Putnis, who provided valuable insights, and prompt, constructive criticism. Peter had the unique ability to sift through the enthusiastic rhetoric and tap into the real issues that required attention. His support and guidance through the months of research are greatly appreciated.
I would also like to thank the staff from the University of Canberra's Communication Faculty. In particular, Dr. John Jenkins and Robert Schaap. Thank you John and Rob for your eveready willingness to peruse and constructively criticise this work from its raw inception through to the final stages. In addition, thank you for your friendship and corridor camaraderie.
Thanks are also due to Dr. Tony Shaddock who, in the early stages of this work, steered me through some of the precarious issues related to the social construction of disability. Many thanks are also due to Professor Bill Mandle who in a spirit of endless edification spoke words of encouragement to this often weary candidate.
Special thanks are also due to the Consumers' Telecommunications Network Policy Adviser, who not only proved to be a valuable interviewee, but an invaluable source of contacts in the area of telecommunications and disability. Thanks are also due to everbody who I interviewed and who inspired me by their dedication to their respective fields, whether they were social advocacy, telecommunications or Government policy. Everybody was helpful and willing to interrupt their busy schedules to be interviewed. For that, I am very grateful.
Thanks must also go to my fellow candidates in the post graduate programme at the University of Canberra. Karin Geiselhardt, Fiona Childs, Daniel Bolger, Cathy Hope and many others shared many helpful hints, pointed out some pitfalls to avoid and spiced it all with true friendship. Thanks gang.
A special thanks must also go to Dr. Christina Slade, who, in a moment of genuine wisdom and empathy shared a few words of encouragement early in my candidature that may have enabled me to take the load when my shoulders were ready to collapse.
Finally, I must thank someone whom I have never met. Geoff Scott, a member of the Australian Deaf community who was so overwhelmed by the cry for human justice that he took on the system and won and changed the social conditions for many. From the knowledge of Geoff's action came the focus for this work. Geoff, thank you for reminding me that the human spirit is indeed indomitable.