Assistive Technology | NDIS | Occupational Therapy

Introduction

Assistive Technology (AT) under the NDIS is referring to any equipment, modification or item that can improve an NDIS participant’s life.

Community Therapy’s Occupational Therapists (OTs) help NDIS participants determine what AT (equipment and/or modifications) can help them achieve their goals.

We help the NDIS participant submit AT request forms to the NDIA, which are extensive in nature.

The purpose of these AT request forms is to explain the reasoning why the equipment requires funding from the NDIA, as well as various options of that type of equipment.

OT with client and portable scooter

Prescribing Assistive Technology to NDIS Participants

For participant’s with an active AT budget in their NDIS plan, Community Therapy is often engaged to find the appropriate piece of equipment. As an example, a participant’s wheelchair may not be fit for purpose, and we would help them find the right wheelchair.

Alternatively, and more commonly, we are engaged to identify different pieces of equipment that should be considered in the next plan review. In this scenario, we will perform a functional and environmental assessment to determine what equipment needs to be considered.

We predominantly prescribe mobility-related equipment such as wheelchairs and scooters for people to access the community safely. We are achieving excellent results through participants increasing their community participation.

We also perform home modifications assessments, which can be anything from rails and ramps, to full home modifications.

roho-cushion

Assistive Technology Examples

Assistive Technology Referrals

We receive referrals from several sources for NDIS participants. We are primarily contacted by the participant themselves, a family member, local area coordinator, other NDIS registered organisations and support coordinators.

Community Therapy has been a registered NDIS provider since 2016. We are accessible by participants that are having their plan managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) as well as self-managing participants and participants that have elected to have plan management.

We strive to improve quality of life through increased safety, mobility, accessibility to the community and greater independence performing daily activities.

Process to Receive Assistive Technology

Step 1
For all referral enquiries, we ensure that we’re a suitable provider to consider for the respective service. This is usually constituted by the age of the participant, location and the types of disabilities.
We are a great provider to consider for adults over eighteen years old, in particular, older adults living with primarily physical and neurological disabilities.
Our team is mobile through the Greater Hunter, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Central Coast regions, and the majority of our visits take place at the participant’s residence.
Step 2
We will cover what is in the existing NDIS plan and review what the participant is funded for under AT.
We assess the existing inventory to determine what is currently suitable and to identify if anything needs repair or replacements. We will identify if there are new pieces of AT that may help the participant achieve their goals.
We will perform an environmental assessment to identify if there are any minor or major home modifications that may be indicated.
The initial assessment provides us with the necessary information to update your NDIS plan and submit an AT request form. A service agreement will be produced.
Step 3
After the AT request has been made, the NDIA will process the request and advise the participant and their clinician of the outcome.
In the event a request has been approved, the participant has the ability to purchase that piece of equipment under their plan.
If a participant is self-managing or plan-managing, they can either purchase it themselves or have the plan management company help them purchase. If a participant is agency-managing, the equipment supplier will be able to process payment through NDIS portal. Then, the equipment would be organised to be delivered.
Our Occupational Therapist will re-visit the residence and assess the setup of that equipment, and provide you with any training and ongoing support for that.
Step 4
Typically, our service agreements will run for the same length as the NDIS plan, unless there is a reason not to.
We help our clients revise their plan, review supporting materials and prepare paperwork for the next NDIS plan review.
Our visit frequency, length of engagement, expectations and off-boarding will be listed in the original service agreement.
In the event a participant wishes to disengage Community Therapy, we provide them with the necessary documentation and can perform a handover to the new provider.

We support people to access the Assistive Technology they need

Introduction

Prescribing Assistive Technology to NDIS Participants

Assistive Technology Examples

Wheelchairs

Stand Aid

Beds

Bathroom Equipment

Walking Aids

Mobility Scooters

Assistive Technology Referrals

Process to Receive Assistive Technology

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Assistive Technology FAQ

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