Compass:Adding a modality

Every modality in Compass has its own page. This page explains how to add one. Anyone who is logged in with their ASA Account can add a modality or suggest changes to an existing one.

Before you start

Check that the modality isn't already in Compass, perhaps under another name:

 

All modality pages are listed in Category:Modalities. If the modality is already there, please improve that page or join its discussion rather than starting a new one.

Create the page

Type the modality's name as it is most commonly known (for example "Reiki" rather than "Usui Reiki Ryoho"). Other names go in the "Also known as" field.

The new page opens in the editor with the summary box and headings already in place, plus notes on what to write under each heading. The notes don't appear on the finished page. You don't need to fill in every section at once: save what you have, and you or others can add to it later.

Writing guidance

• Describe, don't judge. Write about the modality in terms its own practitioners recognise, without comparing it unfavourably with others.
• Welcome different lineages. Where practitioners work in different ways, describe each way side by side.
• No health claims. Avoid saying a practice diagnoses, treats or cures a medical condition, and be clear about when clients should see a health professional.
• Write for everyone. Use plain English that a member of the public could follow, and explain special terms.
• Leave people and businesses out. Describe kinds of training and pathways rather than promoting individual practitioners or businesses.

Before a page is approved

An approver checks every page against these tests before approving it:

1. Australian context – it is written for Australian readers and practice, and reflects Australian law and terms where relevant. Any authoritative, credible source can be used, from Australia or overseas; explain overseas material so it is useful to an Australian reader.
2. Therapeutic goods – it doesn't promote, or make therapeutic claims for, products such as remedies, oils, crystals or devices, in line with the Therapeutic Goods Administration's advertising rules.
3. Child safety – nothing in it conflicts with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations or state and territory child safe standards.
4. Work health and safety – any guidance on practice reflects the work health and safety laws of each state and territory.
5. Sources and copyright – every statement comes from an identified source and nothing is assumed. Nothing is copied from other sources: write in your own words, and keep any quotations brief and credited.

What happens next

1. Your page is visible straight away as a draft, clearly marked as not yet approved.
2. Others can improve it and talk about it on its Discussion page.
3. When the description is ready, an approver reviews it and approves a version. That version is what readers see, and the status in the summary box is updated to "Approved".
4. Later changes are reviewed by an approver before readers see them.

All contributions are made in the spirit of the Alliance's Code of Conduct.