ComTEC

Boy using tray mounted communication device

What is ComTEC?

ComTEC offers services throughout Victoria to people of all ages with a disability who have communication and technology needs. The ComTEC team consists of speech pathologists, occupational therapists and I.T. support with expertise in communication and technology for people with disabilities.

Eligibility

ComTEC do not have specific eligibility criteria.

Consumers, families, carers and professionals use ComTEC for:

simple, practical and effective solutions for people who require support to communicate (these include no/low/high level technology solutions)
ideas and information on specialised technology
advice about getting the most from computers and technology

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 or looking for information about particular equipment, 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 Session: The ComTEC team has up-to-date knowledge and equipment to provide you with individual advice and recommendations on the best technology solutions to meet your needs. An advisory session runs for up to two hours and any team members can attend. An individual report can be prepared.

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). A brief training session is also available prior to each loan.

Individual Training: The ComTEC team can meet your training requirements. If you need help to get going with your equipment, ComTEC can provide training at school, home or in the workplace. These sessions are attended by the client and any interested team members.

Individual Training (client not present): The ComTEC team can meet your training requirements. If you need help to get going with your equipment, ComTEC can provide training at school, home or in the workplace. These sessions are attended by team members.

Technology Open Sessions for Therapists: The 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.; Open Session equipment includes: alternate keyboards (eg compact keyboards); mouse options (eg trackballs); a range of switches and basic mounting arms, as well as a selection of speech generating devices.; 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.

Professional Development Appointments / Tours: These sessions are available for therapists who want to develop skills in the application and use of specific assistive technology including communication devices and computer access. The appointment can be up to 90 minutes.

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:

DOWNLOAD THE ORDER FORM HERE

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 and provides a consistent, 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:

DOWNLOAD THE ORDER FORM HERE

Below is a short clip from the DVD "The Mounting System Toolkit"

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.

The form can be downloaded in a choice of PDF format for printing or an accessible RTF format.

PrAActically Speaking Video/DVD Order Form [RTF xx KB]

PrAActically Speaking Video/DVD Order Form [PDF 86 KB]

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 Closeness" OVERLAYS HERE

ComTEC Mounting Workshop

DOWNLOAD "Pre-Reading for the ComTEC Mounting Workshop" HERE

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Education Program

ComTEC offers services throughout Victoria to people of all ages with a disability that seek technology support. We are offering a range of education sessions that target clients with a range of developmental 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.

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Referral and application

Individual Advisory Sessions: For referrals for this service please fill out the Client Information Form and return it by post to ComTEC. The form can be download in a choice of PDF format for printing or an accessible RTF format.

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Fees

Client Appointments - Includes advisory sessions and training sessions provided directly to clients. An advisory session runs for approximately one and a half hours, training session duration is negotiated according to need.

Training / Advisory sessions on behalf of clients - Training provided to carers, parents or teams on behalf of a person with a disability.

Table 1: Service fees - Current as of July 1st 2009
Service Name - Early Intervention and Adult Clients	Standard Fee	Travel (within day trip distance	Reports (to support funding applications)
TAC / WorkSafe Victoria appointments must have the prior approval of their case manager.
Overnight fees (applicable for services provided in locations 2 hours or more from Brooklyn) $140.00 per therapist per night.
Freight Expenses (equipment for workshops) as charged by the freight company.
Client Appointments	$30.00	No charge	No charge
Training/Advisory Sessions on behalf of clients	$33.00 (GST included)	No charge	n/a
School-Aged Clients
Client Appointments	$150.00	$150.00 per hour per therapist	$150.00 per hour per therapist
Training/Advisory Sessions on behalf of clients	$165.00 (GST included)	$150.00 per hour per therapist	n/a
TAC / WorkSafe Clients
TAC / WorkSafe Victoria	as per schedule	n/a	n/a
ComTEC Private
Interstate and Overseas Clients	$150.00 (per therapist per hour)	n/a	n/a
Education and Open Sessions
Open Sessions for Therapists	$5.00 per client	n/a	n/a
Professional Development Sessions (max 2 people)	$33 (per person)	n/a	n/a
General Overview Sessions	$20.00 per person	n/a	n/a
General Overview Sessions (off site)	$150.00 per group	n/a	n/a

WORKSHOPS

These services are tailored to suit individual requirements.

Please contact ComTEC to discuss Workshop modules.

Table 2: Workshop fees
Length	Standard fees
2 hours	$350
1/2 day	$600
1 day	$1100
2 days	$2200

Getting To Us

A wheelchair accessible low floor bus (no. 414 to Laverton South) runs from 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 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 the Internet www.victrip.com.au

Map showing the location of ComTEC [JPG 42 KB] - Please use browser back button to return to this page.

Map showing the location of The Nerve Centre [PDF 19 KB] - Please use browser back button to return to this page.

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Contact ComTEC

ComTEC: 705 Geelong Road
Brooklyn Victoria 3025; PO Box 1101
Altona Gate Victoria 3025; Tel: (03) 9362 6111; TTY: (03) 9314 9001; Free call: 1300 885 886 (Vic only); Fax: (03) 9314 9759; Email: comtec@yooralla.com.au; Melways reference: 40 J 10

ComTEC Eastern Base: MS Society, Nerve Centre
54 Railway Road
Blackburn, Victoria; Tel: (03) 9362 6111; TTY: (03) 9314 9001; Free call: 1300 885 886 (Vic only); Fax: (03) 9314 9759; Email: comtec@yooralla.com.au; Melways Reference: 48 A10