No drivers licence no Optus mobile phone if you are blind

9 Nov 2014: I have often had a lot of trouble in getting a mobile phone plan because I do no have a drivers licence or a credit rating. I often have to get plans in my husband's name and before that my dad's name.

It has always been a pain but I never thought what it would be like for others who live independently without a drivers licence

I recently read this article: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/optus-refused-blind-man-ben-felten-a-mobile-phone-because-he-didnt-have-a-drivers-licence/story-fnii5s3y-1227065891938?nk=f1e70064658aadb9229b0dc601273677

Ben Felten gradually lost his sight and cannot drive because he is blind. After being an Optus customer for eight years, Ben could not get a new plan because his 11 forms of identification were not enough and Optus would not budge until Ben produced a drivers licence or a passport.

Ben has referred the matter to the Australian Human Rights Commission as he felt his treatment breached the Disability Discrimination Act.

The Commission is investigating the complaint and now Telstra has a new customer!

More flexibility needs to be taken into consideration for those that cannot drive and therefore, don't have a drivers licence.