Have you ever been through the process of receiving a new wheelchair, or perhaps are going through the process of finding your first wheelchair, and have felt excluded from the decision-making process? Has the dealer and/or your clinician made most of the decisions on your behalf? Research shows that when therapists, equipment suppliers, and wheelchair users work together as a team during the assessment and prescription process, outcomes improve. These outcomes may include enhanced comfort, increased independence, and greater participation in daily life. Just like your goals, your outcomes are unique—because no two people are the same.
Whether you're receiving your first manual wheelchair or power wheelchair, or updating an existing one, best practice recommends a thorough assessment by your prescribing therapist (Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist). This occurs before your trial of potential new wheelchairs. This may include:
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A conversation about your current routines and support needs
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A review of your home, community, work, or school environments
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A physical assessment known as a MAT Evaluation to understand your posture, range of movement at your joints, seated function, and comfort
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A conversation about your goals
Even if you're replacing your current wheelchair with a similar wheelchair or even the same model, it's important to reassess. Your needs, goals, or physical presentation may have changed, and new technologies or features might offer improved outcomes. This important process also helps justify your equipment to funding bodies.
During the assessment, your therapist will work with you to understand your goals, how you navigate your environments, and what features will best support your lifestyle. While your clinician brings clinical expertise and your supplier knows the products, you are the expert on your own experiences.
To help prepare for your assessment or trial, consider bringing the following information:
- List the top three activities you want to do in your chair:
- What are you doing now? What could be easier? What would you like to start doing?
- Prioritise these. They may change throughout the process, but it is important to keep your priorities at the front of your mind.
- Transport needs:
- Will the chair be transported separately or will you remain seated during transport?
- How will you (or someone else) get it in and out of the vehicle?
- Places you go regularly:
- Think about your daily routes and environments. Where do you go? What do these environments look like? What works when you are there and what could be easier?
- How do you or will you transfer in and out of your chair:
- Consider all the places you transfer on/off.
- Future considerations:
- Do you anticipate changes in your needs over the next 3–6 years? What features might help “future-proof” your chair?
- Important features and accessories:
- These might include colour, bag hooks, frame shape, cushion compatibility, or wheel size. What is important for YOU?
Working with your therapist to establish your goals and non-negotiables of your wheelchair should result in a more streamlined and efficient trial with the equipment provider. With so many options on the market, narrowing down what I call the ‘non-negotiables’ results in a more specific and targeted trial.
Each wheelchair trial and assessment will be as individual as you are. Consider what hints or tips you would give others when preparing for their wheelchair assessment.
This is our first of many blogs to come, focusing on breaking down what at times can feel like a complex and overwhelming industry. If we know the answer, we will seek to share it with you, or if we can’t, we will seek to find the expert or individual who can. That expert could also be you.
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Useful information, created with and for wheelchair users.
Disclaimer
The content in this blog is intended to be informative and empowering, sharing general insights and experiences around life with assistive technology. It reflects the views of the author and is not a substitute for personalised medical, clinical, or professional advice.
Everyone’s needs, goals, and health circumstances are unique. If you’re considering any changes to your equipment, routines, or support, we always recommend speaking with your occupational therapist, healthcare team, or another qualified professional.
