ComTEC
What is ComTEC?
ComTEC is an information and advisory service with expertise in assistive technology for communication, computer access and environmental control. The ComTEC team consists of speech pathologists, occupational therapists and I.T. support
Eligibility
ComTEC provides services to Victorians of any age and disability who have communication and technology needs.
ComTEC Services
- Enquiry Service
- ComTEC has highly skilled therapists who can answer your questions about finding technology to suit your needs. Whether it’s trouble shooting equipment you already have, or looking for information about assistive technology options, the ComTEC enquiry service can assist. We can link you to our Equipment Database (PODS), a comprehensive directory of specialised equipment. You can phone, T.T.Y, post, email or fax your query.
- Individual Advisory Sessions
- The ComTEC team has up-to-date knowledge and equipment to provide individual advice and recommendations on the technology solutions to meet specific needs. Information on equipment can be provided at the end of the session, however fees apply for formal reports. ComTEC has a consultancy model of service and requires input from the client's local therapy team. The client will, therefore, require their own speech pathologist and/or occupational therapist to be present at the Advisory Session.
- Information about what to expect at a ComTEC advisory session can be found here
- You can view suggestions for finding a Speech Pathologist or Occupational Therapist here
- Electronic Equipment Library
- Choosing the right equipment to meet your needs often requires trialling different items to decide what is best suited to you. The ComTEC Electronic Equipment Library allows you to borrow equipment on short-term loan to trial before purchasing. Hire costs are involved (see fee schedule below). Some items require therapists to attend a training or professional development session at the commencement of the loan.
- Individual Training
- Once you have the equipment recommended at the advisory session, ComTEC can provide a training session to help you get up and going. Training sessions aim to empower your local therapist to provide ongoing support for use of the equipment.
- Professional Development Sessions
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ComTEC provides professional development in a number of ways:
- Clinicians may choose to have a professional development session following an advisory session to develop further skills and knowledge in the implementation and support of the equipment recommended at the session.
- Professional Development Sessions are also available for therapists who want to develop knowledge and skills in the selection, application and use of specific assistive technology for a particular client or group of clients.
- ComTEC has an education program. Where appropriate, some requests for professional development sessions may be directed to the Education Program.
- Clinicians may choose to have a professional development session following an advisory session to develop further skills and knowledge in the implementation and support of the equipment recommended at the session.
- Technology Open Sessions for Therapists
- Open Sessions are designed for therapists needing no assistance or limited assistance in trying technology with their clients, who wish to look at and try devices in an informal, open access environment. Therapists can arrange a suitable time to bring clients to ComTEC in Brooklyn and try equipment in our display area, or to have access to the equipment for self learning. Please contact ComTEC to make a booking to ensure equipment availability.
- The ComTEC therapist who is on duty answering telephone enquiries will assist in setting you up with the equipment you have booked and can provide information print outs and copies of handout resources.
- Considerations: If a client has a specialised seating system or equipment that they need when using technology, including trays, eyeglasses, switches and mounting systems, bring these along. Separate rooms are not always available. The display area could be used by a number of people during your Open Session. Distraction and noise may be an issue for some clients.
DVDs and Online Resources
Being a Model Communicator DVD
We are proud to announce the completion of an educational DVD produced by ComTEC: 'Being a Model Communicator'.
The DVD is aimed at parents, carers and support staff of children who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
"Modelling is teaching by doing. It's not about what the child is doing - it's about what you are doing. The best way to teach someone to use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) is to model it to them constantly."
Being A Model Communicator provides an introduction to the process of modelling. It is intended as a tool for those supporting an AAC user. It is designed to be used in conjunction with therapists, teachers, parents and carers as part of a whole team approach.
Copies of the DVD "Being A Model Communicator" are now available. To order yours:
We would love to have your feedback about "Being a Model Communicator". After you have watched the DVD, please follow the link below to the online survey. It only has eight boxes to tick, so it should only take 1-2 minutes of your time. Thank you for participating.
Please click here to take the survey
Below is a short clip from the DVD "Being a Model Communicator"
The Mounting System Toolkit DVD
We are also proud to announce the completion of 'The Mounting System Toolkit' DVD. This educational DVD was produced by ComTEC.
The importance of mounting speech generating devices and related equipment to wheelchairs has become an increasingly recognized area of practice for clinicians. A mounting system establishes a link between a person and their assistive technology, providing a consistent and secure means of positioning a device.
The Mounting System Toolkit provides an outline of the main considerations and tools required when prescribing a mounting system; video demonstration of the construction of 2 mounts and a decision making tree poster.
The DVD is designed as a complementary resource to our Mounting Workshops and together with the workshops aims to increase therapists' knowledge and confidence in the assessment and prescription of mounting systems.
Copies of the DVD are now available. To order yours:
Below is a short clip from the DVD "The Mounting System Toolkit"
ComTEC Mounting Systems Toolkit Images:
Click here to download or view images to accompany the device mounting systems decision tree. The file is best printed using A3 paper.
PrAACtically Speaking Video/DVD
This is a teaching video for people living and working with individuals who have difficulties communicating. The video and accompanying support materials offer a series of practical strategies to help others better understand and communicate with adults with intellectual disabilities. It also offers ideas to help people with communication problems to "speak" for themselves.
PrAActically Speaking Video/DVD Order Form [PDF]
"Social communication" Boardmaker overlays are available for downloading here.
The files will open in Boardmaker version 5 or 6. They were designed by ComTEC to assist people to enjoy social communication (asking questions, making comments, sharing news) using speech generating devices. They were originally developed for use by people with aphasia, but may be suitable for many other people with complex communication needs.
You will need to unzip the file with a program such as Winzip which can be found here: Winzip
DOWNLOAD "Social Communication" OVERLAYS HERE
ComTEC Email Network newsletter
Join the ComTEC Email Network! Quarterly e-newsletter and information about new products and upcoming events sent straight to your inbox. Simply send an email with "subscribe" & your name in the subject line to: comtec.emailnetwork@yooralla.com.au
Click here for a PDF of the current ComTEC Email Network newsletter (Autumn/March 2010).
In the Autumn 2010 edition
Product Evaluations
Proloquo2Go.
Monty Mounting Systems. SpeakOut Scan.
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Upcoming Events Inclusive Learning 2010 Technologies Conference. SPEECH PATHOLOGY AUSTRALIA 2010 National Conference. ARATA National conference Hobart, Tasmania. |
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ComTEC News Changes to ComTEC services.
The Mounting System Toolkit.
New mounting systems on display Delicious - a web-based social bookmarking tool that allows you to store,
categorise, share and find website bookmarks. |
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Other Resources and Interesting Things MyStudyBar.
List of iPhone apps for communication and special education.
JobAccess Fund. |
2009/2010 Archived Listings
Click on the link below to access PDF's of past issues of the ComTEC Email Network newsletter.
| Autumn/March 2009 | Winter/June 2009 | Spring/October 2009 | Summer/December 2009 |
Education Program
We offer a range of education sessions that assist therapists, teachers, carers and families to support people with a range of disabilities including: physical disability, language and learning difficulties, intellectual disability and complex communication needs.
The ComTEC Education Program is available for download in a choice of PDF format for printing or an accessible RTF format.
- Download ComTEC Education Program
Please contact ComTEC for further information on our workshops or to reserve your place.
Referral and application
- Individual Advisory Sessions
- For referrals for this service please print and then fill out the ComTEC referral form, and return by post or fax to ComTEC. Since email is not fully secure, please DO NOT EMAIL this form back to us. If you use email it is possible that your confidential or sensitive information might be accessed.
Fees
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| Advisory Sessions |
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| Training Sessions |
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| Professional Development |
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| Open Sessions for Therapists |
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| Professional Development Sessions (max 2 people) |
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| Interstate and Overseas Clients |
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Overnight fees (applicable for services provided in locations which are 2 or more hours drive from Brooklyn) $140.00 per therapist per night.
Getting To Us
Brooklyn Base
A wheelchair accessible low floor bus (no. 414 to Laverton South) runs from the Paisley Street terminus near the Footscray railway station. Please allow at least ten minutes to get from the train station to the bus stop. The bus stop is located directly in front of the Yooralla Brooklyn building which also houses the I.L.C. Buses depart at approximately 40 minute intervals. A timetable is available from the Met Information Centre by telephoning 131 638 or on the Internet at www.victrip.com.au
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