[LINK] Fw: vip-l: Census stuff

[Jan Whitaker]

There is quite a discussion in the blind community about the online census 
project. this is just one that I found informative of their perspective on 
the inconsistencies they are getting when asking all the right questions.

The other exchange I laughed at was when one of the members asked:  what if 
you fill it in before Tuesday, but you die?  To which the person posed the 
questions replied: If I die, the census is going to be the least of my worries!

There was also concern expressed about the truth in anonymity given the 
lnkages between this online system, the advice via text message, and their 
little check boxes.

Jan

>As soon as you get the form you can go online, though according to 
>yesterday's age in Melbourne, you are not suppose too.  Go figure.
>
>I have contacted both help numbers and both people I spoke with said you 
>can do it now, which suits me fine, because the sooner the better is my motto.
>
>They were even kind enough to tell me my form number without sighted 
>assistance, which I could have asked my brother and his wife for, but 
>thought I would ask the officials to see if you could do it that way.
>
>
>According to the technical info online, you are suppose to start at 8 pm 
>east filling out the form.  Again go figure.
>
>The final closing date is last postal pick up 9th September.
>
>
>According to the people I have spoken with, the theory is everyone does it 
>on the day at the appointed time, so as everyone is doing it there and then.
>
>There will also be specials on a current affair on channel 9 and today 
>tonight on channel 7 on the night in their shows.
>
>Radio stations such as the abc and scn broadcasting group will also run 
>stories speaking to officials on the day.
>
>There is also a t t y service for anyone who needs it, though I don't have 
>the number in front of me, but it is on the site.
>
>If you happen to lose your form or miss place it, you have to contact them 
>to get a replacement.
>
>For those of you interested in filling in online, here is how it works.
>
>After you go to the site 
><http://www.sensus.abs.gov.au>www.sensus.abs.gov.au you download the form 
>from the download link.
>
>You can then work with the form off line and when you are done go to the 
>submit button and it is submitted.
>
>The collector in your area is notified via a text message.
>
>Now was interested to find out how that worked assuming not all collectors 
>had a mobile phone.
>
>They are given one.
>
>But they have to return it again.
>
>The text message they get contains your name address and form number and 
>nothing else.
>

Jan Whitaker
JLWhitaker Associates, Melbourne Victoria
jwhit at janwhitaker.com
business: http://www.janwhitaker.com
personal: http://www.janwhitaker.com/personal/
commentary: http://janwhitaker.com/jansblog/

'Seed planting is often the most important step. Without the seed, there is 
no plant.' - JW, April 2005
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