NDIS updates
Wheelchair Prescription Is About More Than Choosing a Chair
The right wheelchair is a mobility system shaped around the person — their body, goals, environment, carers and daily routines.
Key points
- The right wheelchair is a mobility system shaped around the person — their body, goals, environment, carers and daily routines.
Start with function
A wheelchair assessment considers where the chair will be used, how the person transfers, what they need to reach, how they communicate and which activities matter to them. A chair that performs well in a showroom may not work at home, school, work or in the community.
Seating is part of the prescription
Postural support, pressure management, comfort, growth, fatigue and the ability to reposition all influence seating decisions. For power chairs, drive controls, tilt, recline and other functions need to be matched to the person's abilities and goals.
Trial, review and adjust
Equipment trials let the participant and team test options before a recommendation is finalised. Supplier knowledge is valuable, while the occupational therapist brings an independent view of functional need and clinical risk.
Good prescription is not about selecting the most complex option. It is about finding the right level of support and documenting why it is needed.
Need an assessment or ongoing occupational therapy?
We respond to every referral within two business days, with mobile visits across South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers and Telehealth Australia-wide.