Our mobile Occupational Therapists help NDIS participants assess, trial and obtain assistive technology that supports safer, more independent daily living.
We assist with equipment assessments, functional assessments, equipment trials and Assistive Technology request forms across Melbourne.
Assistive Technology (AT) is any device, system or support used by individuals to perform tasks that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.
Using the right AT can help individuals with disability, as well as older people with limitations, live more independently and safely.
Assistive Technology can include mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs, along with hardware, software and peripherals that support people with disabilities to access computers or other information.
Practical, goal-focused recommendations
We help participants identify assistive technology that is safe, appropriate and suited to their home environment and daily goals.
Our Occupational Therapists provide mobile assistive technology support through home visits in South-East Melbourne.
Home assessments allow us to consider the practical realities of a participant’s environment, including access, space, mobility and everyday routines.
Total Health Choice’s dedicated Occupational Therapists help predominantly with:
There is a large range of AT, from simple concepts such as gait aids through to complex home modifications. We mostly assist with prescribing mobility and daily living equipment.
Please select an equipment type to learn more.
Support with assessing and prescribing wheelchairs that improve mobility, safety and independence.
Support with beds and related equipment that help improve comfort, positioning, transfers and safe daily care.
Assessment and trial support for walking frames and gait aids that improve mobility and reduce risk.
Bathroom equipment and modification recommendations that can improve access, safety and personal care.
Through our expertise and core values of Trust, Compassion & Care we help NDIS participants obtain assistive technology that supports meaningful goals.
We have relationships with NDIS approved equipment suppliers throughout Melbourne. These companies provide information about the latest assistive equipment on the market.
We also attend relevant events, such as the Melbourne Disability Expo, where we can meet equipment providers.
In terms of obtaining AT, this can occur in three ways:
NDIS plans can be managed in different ways. A plan may be Agency managed, self managed, plan managed or split across management types.
Agency managed plans would use an NDIS registered equipment supplier. Self or plan managed participants have more options and can purchase equipment from a wider range of suppliers.
There is a threshold allowing a participant to obtain equipment more quickly.
Our Occupational Therapist can visit the property, complete an assessment and use clinical judgement to determine that prospective equipment is safe and appropriate.
The participant may then be able to purchase equipment directly from the supplier using NDIS funding.
For higher-cost equipment, a detailed NDIA AT Request Form may need to be completed by our Occupational Therapist.
This process compares suitable models and provides clinical reasons for the requested equipment, helping justify funding from the NDIA.
Participants may need to wait for approved funding before purchasing higher-cost AT.
This is variable from a matter of days to a matter of months. We have refined our processes to be able to turn these around as quickly as possible.
Usually we would explore a hire option.
There is some flexibility with NDIS plans allowing people to pay for things out of the core budget, such as hiring a walking frame and other personal care equipment.
We would also contact the NDIA to mention if a matter is high priority in an effort to speed up the process.
The purpose of the NDIS and funding for AT is to help people live independently, and therefore live their best life.
One example was helping a gentleman obtain additional funding for an electric wheelchair because he was physically limited by his manual wheelchair.
His goal was to independently visit the supermarket 500m from his property. We performed an assessment, lodged request forms to the NDIS and helped him adjust to the new wheelchair. We also performed exercise therapy focused on sit-to-stand strength, allowing him to safely mount and dismount his wheelchair.
He is now able to go to the shops every day and live a more independent quality of life.
The process surrounding warranty claims or product support is largely with the equipment supplier, rather than Total Health Choice.
In most cases, the NDIS would use a registered NDIS equipment provider. The equipment is considered an Australian product and must adhere to national standards, including Fair Trading requirements.
When mobility equipment malfunctions, the equipment supplier will usually resolve this in a short amount of time.
An AT review largely looks at the reports compiled with the NDIS plan for the respective participant.
NDIS AT reviews are performed as needed, usually between 3-12 months. This means the person has received a certain level of funding and healthcare for that time.
Total Health Choice helps NDIS support coordinators by performing assessments, reassessments and reporting on the participant’s progress towards their NDIS goals.
We base achieving goals on what the Physiotherapy community refers to as outcome measures, which are tools used to assess a participant’s current status.
Outcome measures can record:
Examples of outcome measures include:
NDIS AT plan reviews are very goal-orientated. Our reports help establish valid reasons to justify funding for reasonable and necessary Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy or Assistive Technology from the NDIS.
When performing reviews with Trust, Compassion & Care, we can understand whether we are making a difference.
Need Support With Assistive Technology?
Contact Total Health Choice to discuss an assessment, equipment trial, request form or a suitable next step for the participant.
