Ex-post control 1.1.4 Citizen-friendly communication Measuring the AOB’s success must include its degree of acceptance by the population. The figures set out above show that many citizens turn to the AOB when they feel they have been treated unfairly by authorities. It plays an important role that the AOB can be contacted in a simple and informal way. Complaints can be submitted personally, by telephone or in writing. The information service for all those seeking help can be reached under a cost-free service number. Taking stock of 2014, the following picture emerges: Communication with the Public • 232 consultation days with about 1,620 personal contacts • 9,102 people contacted the AOB personally or by phone • 15,830 people wrote to the AOB (5,513 women, 8,906 men, 1,410 groups of people) • 26,731 documents comprised the AOB‘s correspondence • 16,227 letters and e-mails were sent to authorities • 104,000 hits were registered on the AOB‘s website During consultation days, citizens in all of the Laender have the opportunity to discuss their concerns personally with an ombudsperson. These opportunities are utilised extensively by citizens. In the year under review, 232 consultation days with more than 1,600 personal talks were held; more than in the previous year (2013: 224 consultation days). Consultation days 2014 2013 Burgenland 15 16 Carinthia 15 18 Lower Austria 35 30 Upper Austria 22 20 Salzburg 15 20 Styria 28 25 Tyrol 12 10 Vorarlberg 6 5 Vienna 84 80 TOTAL 232 224 33