Access to Communication and Technology Unit (ACTU)

The Access to Communication and Technology Unit (ACTU) provides services to individuals with, complex communication needs, physical and/or sensory difficulties, speech, language and communication needs, and/or learning disabilities, and their families. ACTU assess, support and advise, make recommendations for communication and technology, and implement interventions and training.

This service is given by Speech & Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists and is also assisted by a Support Worker.

ACTU offers two services:

1. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The AAC service is designed to support individuals who present with Complex Communication Needs (CCN) because they are either non-verbal or have difficulty being understood when they use speech. The main goal of this service is to assess and make recommendations for AAC systems and aids and access to them. ACTU also supports families and professionals with the implementation of any recommended communication aids.
2. Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT). The EAT service provides assessment for alternative access to the computer as well assessments for environmental control.​

Information Day Service

ACTU offers the informative day service on a periodic basis for those who are 16 and over and would like to discuss AAC/EAT needs. This service is also ideal for those who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the main service, but would like to consult on AAC/EAT strategies that can meet their needs. This is an opportunity for a one hour meeting with an Occupational Therapist (OT) and/or Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) from the ACTU team.

Eligibility for AAC Service
For referrals for an assessment for an AAC system/s the eligibility criteria for children and young people are as follows:

• Children under the age of 16 with physical and/or sensory disabilities, complex communication needs (CCN), speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and/or learning disabilities may be referred to this service.
• The child must have achieved beyond cause and effect development and be able to make a choice of two pictures to request with intent.
• They must also demonstrate evidence of implementation of AAC systems (can be low-tech or high-tech)

Eligibility for EAT Service
Children under the age of 16 may be referred to ACTU by a professional or a member of the School Management Team. A child is eligible for an EAT assessment if he/she meets the following criteria:

• Children under the age of 16 should present with significant physical disability, predominately with upper limb impairments that result in them being unable to use standard controls, for example computer mice, keyboards, touch screens, mobile phones and/or remote controls.
• Cognitively able to operate Environmental Control (EC) equipment consistently.
• Able to demonstrate sustained motivation to use the EC equipment.
• Where the child is diagnosed with a variable condition (e.g. a progressive neurological condition), the above criteria can be applied with regards to the child’s anticipated needs and abilities within a clinically appropriate time period. Referrals can be accepted on this basis.

The following exclusion criteria also applies for the EAT service:

• ​In situations when non-specialist solutions to the identified needs of the child are available and appropriate e.g. the use of standard keyboard and mouse, referral to ACTU is not needed.

Information Day Service
ACTU offers the information day service on a periodic basis for those who are 16 and over and would like to discuss AAC/EAT needs.
Appointments to discuss AAC needs are to be made by the service user’s Speech and Language Therapist. This is important to ensure implementation of the prescribed AAC and/or strategies after the consultation. Clients who are already using a communication aid may request an appointment themselves. Appointments for EAT can be made from the service user themselves or their Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist / Speech and Language Therapist / educator.

Referrals for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Service
The referral should be made by the Speech and Language Therapist. If you are an educator interested in making an AAC referral, please speak to the child’s Speech and Language Therapist.

Referrals for Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT) Service

Referrals are accepted from the child’s Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist or Speech and Language Therapists. A member of the School Senior Management Team may also make EAT referrals.

Referrals by professionals
Professionals who want to refer a client may download the application and submit it by hand or by post to the below address. You may download the guidelines to support you to fill-in the form.

Click this link to download the Referral Form: Children and Young People
Click this link to download the Guidelines for completing the ACTU Referral Form​

Click this link to download the ACTU re-Referral for previously known ACTU clients: AAC Service

Information Day Forms
Those interested in the Informative Day Service, may download the application form and submit it by hand or post to the below address:

Click this link to download the ACTU Information Day Referral Form – Professional
Click this link to download the ACTU Information Day Referral Form – Adult / known ACTU clients

ACTU opening hours:

Monday: 08:00 – 16:00
Tuesday – Friday: 08:00 – 14:30

Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: Not available

Address: Access to Communication & Technology Unit (ACTU), Ċentru Pastorali Qalb ta’ Ġesù, Triq il-Biżantini, Qrendi QRD 1802.
Click this link for ACTU location and/or directions

For more information on this service, one may send an email on actu.sapport@gov.mt​ or call on (+356) 2165 3991 / (+356) 77132310.

Click this link for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on this service

Click this link to access ACTU events and webinars
Click this link to access ACTU resources

Click this link to access ACTU publications

ACTU would like to announce their training and workshops schedule for 2025. If you are interested to know more, follow the links below for more information and registration form.

• AAC Q&A Clinic 
  Are you a parent or a professional working with an AAC user and would like to troubleshoot some challenges you are encountering? Do you want to increase your communication partner skills to support the child you are working with to become a better communicator? Then book this session to ask your question and learn more!
  Date: 15th October 2025
  Time: 09:00am till 10:30am
  Location: ACTU, Centru Pastorali Qalb ta’ Gesu, Triq il- Bizantini, Qrendi.
  Deadline: 8th October 2025
  Click this link for more information on AAC Q&A Clinic workshop

• AAC Goal Setting
  Are you an educator who is struggling to implement AAC strategies in the school and classroom? Do you form part of a Senior Leadership Team and feel that your educators are finding it difficult to support AAC in the classroom? Or maybe you are an educator who needs to know more about setting goals in the IEP. Then this training is for you. This workshop is aimed to move beyond the basics of AAC and focus on considering language development, vocabulary selection, setting functional and academic communication goals, as well as identifying communication opportunities as part the IEP.
  Date: 30th October 2025
  Time: 09:00am till 1:00pm
  Location: The Meeting Place, Triq Dom Mintoff, Marsa
  Deadline: 23rd October 2025
  Click this link for more information on AAC Goal Setting workshop

• AAC Implementation Strategies
  Are you an educator, early interventionist, or other professional who is struggling to implement AAC strategies in the school and classroom? Do you form part of a Senior Leadership Team and feel that your educators are finding it difficult to support AAC in the classroom? Then this training is for you. This workshop aims to give you basic AAC strategies that you can implement with any AAC user. The workshop will also highlight evidence-based strategies including aided language input, descriptive teaching, and language expansion that can be used to implement AAC across the school day.
  Date: 17th November 2025
  Time: 09:00am till 1:00pm
  Location: The Meeting Place, Triq Dom Mintoff, Marsa
  Deadline: 10th November 2025
  Click this link for more information on AAC Implementation Strategies workshop

• Alternative Pencils: Making Writing Accessible for All Learners

  This practical and engaging training introduces the concept of alternative pencils—tools that allow students who cannot use traditional writing instruments to access the alphabet and participate meaningfully in writing activities. Designed for professionals working with learners who have significant disabilities, this session explores a wide range of tools, from eye gaze boards and partner-assisted scanning to switch-based keyboards and AAC-integrated systems.

  Participants will gain a clear understanding of what alternative pencils are, why they are essential, and how to use them to support student access to written expression. Case study examples, tool demonstrations, and guided discussion will equip attendees with the knowledge needed to take the first steps in implementing alternative pencils.

  Date: 19th November 2025
  Time: 09:00am till 12:00pm
  Location: The Meeting Place, Triq Dom Mintoff, Marsa
  Deadline: 12th November 2025
  Click this link for more information on Alternative Pencils: Making Writing Accessible for All Learners workshop