General Information
There are many options for community mobility including:
- scooters
- manual wheelchairs
- power assist devices
- electric wheelchairs
Your OT will guide you in what further steps are required – this may include appointment/s to trial various scooter or wheelchair options.
Your OT will commence the AT (assistive technology) application and submit to NDIS.
We will assist in case management of your application (approval, build of your wheelchair and delivery).
An OT handover assessment is completed with the wheelchair supplier on completion of the device, to ensure that everything is working the way it should for you.
“Reasonable and necessary criteria”
Vehicle modifications must meet the reasonable and necessary criteria:
- Support will enable you to pursue your goals
- Achieve social and economic participation
- Value for money
- Effective and beneficial
- Reasonable expectations of informal supports
- Most appropriately funded by NDIS (or your other insurer)
Wheelchair and Scooter assessment process
Intake / Referral
- You are 16 years of age and older
- You have a medical condition / injury / disability
- You need a scooter or manual/electric wheelchair
- The scooter/wheelchair is related to community mobility and car needs
- You are a driver or passenger
- You are a “hands free” or “hands-dependent” sitter.
Paperwork Required
Please ensure you have uploaded the following documents to the Client Portal and have them available on the day:
If relevant: hospital discharge summary / other medical/allied health reports
Current Level of Function Information:
- Tell us about your disability and current function
- Tell us about your mobility and transfers, eg walking / independent with manual wheelchair or electric wheelchair / hoist transfer etc
- Tell us about your current wheelchair (make, model, folding/rigid, what is working well, what is not working well)
- Do you have any ideas about devices that may be suitable for you?
- Have you looked at any wheelchairs or spoken to any reps?
This information will help us determine which wheelchairs may be required for you, and help us with booking the supplier for trial/s.
We cannot assist with:
- “Dependent sitters” (that is – you cannot sit unsupported without postural support)
- Clients who need more than just a wheelchair (e.g. also need shower chairs etc)
- Higher needs seating needs
- Quickly progressing conditions (e.g. MND)
- Wheelie walker prescription
Assessment
Initial OT scooter / wheelchair assessment - what is involved?
Clinical Assessment (usually at your home)
- Medical /disability history
- Community access – frequency, destinations
- Physical, cognitive and vision function screen
- Support worker roles and hours
- Mobility aid review and measuring
- Postural and body mechanics assessment and measuring
- Brief review of home environment
After the Assessment
Next steps
OTDA will make a plan about the next steps with you; these might include:
- Site visit to equipment supplier (eg Aidacare / Power Mobility)
-> Trial of multiple wheelchair and seating items with the supplier rep; aim to identify an option that will likely be suitable. (Trial at alternate supplier may be required) - Trial of selected option at home (to check home access: does it fit through the doorways, circulation space through your home etc)
- Trial of selected option at a location you visit regularly in the community (does it get up and down gutters, can you navigate through shops etc)
- Vehicle Access Consultation For clients who require wheelchair and vehicle to be compatible – OT will trial the proposed scooter/wheelchair in the vehicle set-up.
Application
Your OT will obtain a quote from the supplier and complete the NDIS AT application. You will review and sign-off that you agree with the application and the item that you are requesting. Your OT will advise on additional documentation where required eg registration and insurance.
Delivery, handover assessment and training
Your OT will assist in the delivery and set-up of your device, check that it is fit-for-purpose for you. Your OT will develop a training plan with you. Your OT will complete a wheelchair post-delivery report.
