Barrier-free access to telecommunications services Telephone relay centres enable persons who cannot hear or speak to use the telephone. As opposed to many other countries, such services are not yet available in Austria. After a conflict of jurisdiction between the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology and the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection that has gone on for years, the former is now taking initiative. Telephone relay centres enable barrierfree telephone use A telephone relay centre enables hearing- and speech-impaired people to communicate by telephone with hearing and speaking people. Telecommunications services can thus be used equally by disabled and non-disabled persons. Barrier-free telephone use is often needed in everyday life and in emergency situations it can be lifesaving. Currently, hearing- and speech-impaired people cannot use the emergency call system in Austria. This possibility is not available in Austria at present. For years, the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology and the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection could not agree which one is competent for this matter. Mr. N., who has been advocating the establishment of such a system in Austria has also had to deal with this negative conflict of jurisdiction. Jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology The Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology declared in a statement to the AOB that it has jurisdiction, which had previously not existed but which has become clearly defined due to the newest amendment of the Telecommunications Act. Section 17 of the Telecommunications Act now states that a directive of the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology can require that persons with disabilities be enabled to take advantage of telecommunications services to the same extent as users who are not disabled. Furthermore, under Section 20 of the Telecommunications Act, a connection to all emergency call numbers must be guaranteed for disabled users as well. Pilot operation In early July 2012, the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology had an initial discussion with the relevant interest groups, such as the Austrian Association of the Deaf and the Austrian Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired to conduct a needs assessment. The Austrian Association of the Deaf initiated a pilot operation 68