NDIS Assistive Technology Assessments in Brisbane
Phase One Therapy assesses, trials and documents assistive technology for adults across Brisbane and surrounds. Our occupational therapists prepare the evidence your funder needs, whether that is a mobile shower chair, a powered wheelchair with complex seating, or a modified vehicle. We assess in your home and community, because equipment has to work in the environment you actually use it in.
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology is any device, tool or piece of equipment that helps you do the everyday things you need and want to do. It ranges from a simple shower stool through to a powered wheelchair with custom seating, or hand controls fitted to your car. What is right for you depends on your goals, your body, your home and the people who support you.
Assistive technology we assess
Complex seating and wheelchairs
Manual and powered wheelchairs, custom and modular seating, pressure care, postural support and tilt-in-space systems. Complex seating is a specialism of our principal and lead occupational therapist and is assessed in collaboration with your supplier and, where required, a rehabilitation engineer.
Vehicle and passenger modifications
Driving assistive technology such as hand controls, left foot accelerators and steering aids, as well as passenger access modifications including hoists, transfer aids and wheelchair-accessible vehicle conversions. Where a modification relates to driving, this work is completed alongside an occupational therapy driving assessment.
Mobility and transfer equipment
Walking aids, mobile and ceiling hoists, transfer aids, adjustable beds and pressure care mattresses.
Daily living and personal care equipment
Shower chairs, commodes, bathroom and toileting equipment, and equipment supporting kitchen, dressing and household tasks.
Assistive technology and the NDIS
The NDIS groups assistive technology by cost, and the evidence it requires depends on which group your item falls into.
- Low-cost assistive technology: generally items under $1,500. Most participants can purchase these with a supporting letter.
- Mid-cost assistive technology: items costing between $1,500 and $15,000. These need to be recommended by an assistive technology advisor, which can be an allied health practitioner such as an occupational therapist.
- High-cost assistive technology: items costing more than $15,000. These are complex items that need an assessment from an assistive technology assessor. The NDIS names occupational therapists as suitably qualified assessors, and may ask you to trial or rent the item first.
Powered wheelchairs, complex seating and vehicle modifications generally fall into the high-cost category. Our occupational therapists can act as your assistive technology advisor or assessor, complete the required trials, and prepare the assessment report and supporting evidence for your plan.
How the assessment works
Every assistive technology assessment is shaped around the person, their goals and their environment. Most follow this path:
1. Initial assessment
We meet you at home or in your community to understand your goals, your daily routine, your physical and functional needs, and the spaces and vehicles the equipment has to work in. We will also speak with the people who support you.
2. Tailored recommendation
Your occupational therapist identifies suitable options and explains the trade-offs between them, working with your supplier to confirm what is available and appropriate.
3. Trial of equipment
Where required, and always for high-cost items where the NDIS asks for it, we arrange a trial so you can use the equipment in your own environment before a decision is made. Trials frequently change the final recommendation, which is exactly what they are for.
4. Report and evidence
We prepare the assistive technology assessment report and supporting evidence your funder requires, including quotes obtained from your supplier, and submit it with your request.
5. Implementation and handover
Once equipment arrives we support set-up, check the fit and the fit with your environment, and make sure you and your support people know how to use it safely. Where adjustment is needed after delivery, we follow up.
Frequently asked questions
For mid-cost items the NDIS requires a recommendation from an assistive technology advisor, which can be an allied health practitioner such as an occupational therapist. For high-cost items the NDIS requires an assessment from an assistive technology assessor, and names occupational therapists among the suitably qualified professionals who can act in that role.
For high-cost assistive technology the NDIS may ask you to trial or rent an item before it is included in your plan, because they want to hear about your experience with it first. We arrange and supervise these trials as part of the assessment.
Yes. We assess assistive technology for privately funded clients, insurers and people accessing other funding streams. Contact us to discuss your situation.
Yes. We assess driving assistive technology such as hand controls and steering aids, and passenger access modifications including hoists and wheelchair-accessible vehicle conversions. Driving-related modifications are assessed together with an occupational therapy driving assessment.
It depends on the complexity of the equipment. A simple item may need one appointment and a short report. Complex seating or a vehicle modification usually involves an assessment, one or more equipment trials with your supplier, and a detailed report. We will give you an estimated timeframe at the outset.
Yes. We work alongside your preferred supplier, and with rehabilitation engineers where a custom solution is required. We are independent of any supplier and do not receive commission on equipment.
We assess throughout Brisbane and surrounds, generally within about one hour or 100km of the Brisbane CBD, which includes the Gold Coast.
Book an assistive technology assessment
Book a complimentary 15-minute call to talk through the equipment you are considering and what evidence your funder will need, or send us a referral to get started.