Equipment Prescription

What is Assistive Technology?

  • Assistive Technology (AT) is defined as an umbrella term for assistive products and their related systems and services. It is any product which is designed to make an individual with a disability maintain or improve their ability to function in everyday life. It can include communication devices, eating utensils, digital reminders, to large bulky items such as adapted tricycles, walking frames and wheelchairs.

Do I have funding available to purchase Assistive Technology?

  • To see if you have funding available you need to check your NDIS plan. If funding is available it will generally be under the ‘Capital Supports’ section of your NDIS plan with the AT listed and the money allocated to that particular AT.

‘Reasonable and Necessary’ Criteria and Everyday items:

  • The NDIS requires funded AT to be both ‘Reasonable and Necessary’. This means the any AT funded must be both reasonable for the clients current functioning and their life circumstances and necessary for their wellbeing. Your therapist will discuss this with you prior to any application for AT and can explain to the NDIS the reasons why that AT is required.

How do I get funding for Assistive Technology?

  • If you do not have funding to purchase AT through the NDIS, a therapist can request to the NDIS for funding to be made available. In this case the therapist may be required to do an assessment and provide evidence for the AT being requested, this is usually in the form of a written support letter stating the reasons why the AT is required. A formal quote may be required to assist in the AT application.

Examples of Assistive Technology

At InterGen Health our Physiotherapists are experts in movement and gait and how your disability impacts your everyday function. We have experience in assessing and prescribing equipment which will help to facilitate movement and improve mobility gait.

Some examples of Assistive Technology we can help source include:

Standing Frames

Disability Tricycles

walking frames

wheelchairs

At InterGen Health, we will be there from start to finish and go through the following steps to ensure you make the right decision around purchasing assistive technology.

  1. Discussion about current and future needs

    We will discuss the need for having assistive technology and look at your current and future circumstances and educate you about the different options available. This may involve collaborating with other medical professionals and teaching staff.

    A thorough physical assessment will also be undertaken prior to any trials.

  2. Organise Equipment Trial

Working alongside equipment companies, we can organise equipment trials so you can trial the equipment and make sure its suitable for your needs and goals. We will discuss the pro’s and con’s and make a decision with you about what assistive technology will be best suited.

3. Obtain Quotes

We can obtain quotes from equipment companies and make sure you are getting what is required.

4. Write and Submit Reports

Once we have decided upon the assistive technology and have obtained quotes, we can complete all the relevant reports and paperwork and submit these to the NDIA for approval.

5. Delivery & Final fit off

When the quote has been approved and the invoice paid, we can be present for the delivery and fit off.