Streamlining the Process for CAEP Funded Communication Devices

Independent Living Centre of Western Australia (Inc.)

The Niche 11 Aberdare Road,
Nedlands Western Australia, 6009

Phone: 1300 885 886
(local call cost from anywhere in WA)
Fax: (08) 9381 0611
Email: general@ilc.com.au

Streamlining the Process for CAEP Funded Communication Devices

This pilot project is funded by Disability Services Commission and is being implemented the Independent Living Centre WA. Since July 2011 the project has engaged a range of clients and their primary Speech Pathologists from a variety of organisations who have access to the Community Aids and Equipment Program (CAEP) to fund communication devices.

Based on the successful South Australian Statewide Complex Communication Needs Project, the main principle of this pilot is to reduce the amount of time that a client has to wait for their device to be funded and ordered after a successful trial. This new process will ensure that clients who complete a successful trial can keep the device that they trialled through the ILC Hire library. The project has allowed for ILC Tech to provide additional support to families and therapists in the planning and implementation of their communication device trial.

Any client who is CAEP eligible and is planning to trial programmable communication device is eligible to participate. CAEP funds must be committed at the time of trial for the client to participate in the project. This will mean at the end of the trial CAEP funds are ready for the client to retain the device and device ownership be transferred upon receipt of funds.

The project includes dynamic display and text to speech communication devices.
Some examples include Springboard Lite, Vantage Lite; Dynavox M3, V, Maestro, VMax with Eye Max; Lightwriter SL40, Allora, Dynawrite, Bespoke, Tellus Smart, Chat PC Silk, Dura-SAM, Zingui, Tango.

It is envisioned that this new streamlined process will return better outcomes for clients through the continued engagement of support people, less wait time for trials and funding and will reduce the replication of therapist hours in the customisation of both the a trial and the funded device.

Please read the information flyer and referral forms below for additional information on the project and referral process. Please contact Kelly or Amy (contact details below) for further information.