History

An ergonomist and mechanical engineer founded TADVIC in 1975. On March 25th 1976, they held a meeting of 18 people ranging from engineers to an occupational therapist and a toolmaker. Basing its organisational structure and aims on the Sydney-based Technical Aid to the Disabled, TADVIC’s services and reputation grew quickly, and in February 1977, TADVIC was incorporated as a co-operative society. To qualify, technical volunteers were and still are, required to become shareholders.

The original board of directors was chaired by founder and current chairman Mark Dohrmann, and included volunteer, Brian Catchpole, who recently stepped down after 30 years service on the board. In 1980 TADVIC employed its first part time occupational therapist.

Throughout its history TADVIC’s aim has remained the same; to give practical assistance to people with disabilities, by building or modifying equipment that meets their specific needs, when no commercial solution exists. Starting with a modest 55 metropolitan projects in the first year, the number of people benefiting from TADVIC’s services has grown significantly. As well as its original metropolitan base, TADVIC now has ten regional branches and over 200 active volunteers. Last year alone TADVIC completed 640 projects in metropolitan and regional areas of Victoria.