Why Do I Need To Know About Assistive Technology?
In your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan you have received funding for Assistive Technology (including aids and equipment). You will be able to see this funding on your NDIS plan under your Core budget and on the participant portal via ‘view my plan’, under ‘Low Cost AT’(formerly ‘Daily Adaptive Equipment’).
This fact sheet explains what this means, how you can access your funding and what you can purchase. You should only spend this funding on Assistive Technology (including aids and equipment) that helps you with achieving your NDIS goals in your plan.
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive Technology is ‘any device or system that allows individuals to perform tasks they would otherwise be unable to do or increases the ease and safety with which tasks can be performed’.
The funding in your plan is for you to purchase Assistive Technology devices which are considered basic (Level 1) or standard (Level 2) low-risk, off-the-shelf items.
Basic and Standard Assistive Technology
Basic (Level 1) Assistive Technology is low cost/low risk products from local retail suppliers and need no or very little assistance to set up and use. They might include items such as:
- Non-slip bathmat
- Large print labels
- Walking sticks
- Long handled shoe horn
- Tactile dots
A list of Basic (Level 1) AT items can be found in the table Basic (Level 1) Assistive Technology.
You will be able buy these supports from everyday retailer suppliers such as hardware store, pharmacy or from the internet.
Standard (Level 2) “off the shelf” Assistive Technology can be easily accessed, tested, and trialled before you make your final choice. For example:
- Shower chair
- Hand rails
- Portable ramps
A list of Standard (Level 2) AT items can be found in the table Standard (Level 2) Assistive Technology
You can generally buy these items from specialised Assistive Technology suppliers.
For further information on the Assistive Technology level classification refer to the NDIS Assistive Technology Complexity Level Classification document on the Assistive Technology page of the NDIS website.
What is an Assistive Technology assessor?
An Assistive Technology assessor is someone who is able to consider your individual support needs and situation to identify the appropriate equipment items and/or Home Modifications to meet your support needs. They may be an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Speech Pathologist, Psychologist or rehabilitation engineer. Identifying the most appropriate Assistive Technology assessor will depend on your individual support needs and the Assistive Technology and/or Home Modifications required.
Do I need advice from an Assistive Technology Assessor?
You do not need to provide the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) with Assistive Technology Assessor assessments, reports and/or quotes before you buy Basic (Level 1) or Standard (Level 2) Assistive Technology.
If you need help to select, buy and set up or to use your Assistive Technology correctly, you will have funding in your NDIS plan which you can use to have an Assistive Technology Assessor or other suitable advisor, assist you select, buy, set up or train you how to use Assistive Technology devices purchased with your NDIS funding.
How do I pay for my Assistive Technology?
There are a few different ways you can choose to pay for your Assistive Technology to avoid delays in receiving your Assistive Technology supports. Funding for basic (level 1) and standard (level 2) isgenerally:
- Self-Managed
- Plan Management Agency manages your funds
To give you flexibility when choosing your Assistive Technology supports, you can use the Independent Living Centre’s website or the internet to compare the optionsfor Assistive Technology to ensure you get value for money.
Always use reputable suppliers who will be able to assist should you need to exchange or ask for replacement/repairs to your purchased Assistive Technology.
What if I need more complex Assistive Technology?
If you require more complex or expensive Assistive Technology, your Local Area Coordinator/planner will have discussed the process for obtaining an assessment, report and/or quotes for approval by the NDIS. Refer to Participant Fact Sheet Specialised (Level 3) and Complex (Level 4) Assistive Technology and/or you can speak to your Local Area Coordinator or Support Coordinator for further information.
Some items may seem simple and low cost, but may be dangerous for some people or when they aren’t correctly fitted or used. These are indicated below (usually as items that have a higher complexity) and advice is strongly recommended before you buy them.
Basic (Level 1) Assistive Technology
These are considered low-cost products and services you can purchase with your Assistive Technology funding that are readily identified, locally sourced and integrated into your life for effective, low-risk use e.g. mainstream products to be used for familiar activities in familiar environments.
You do not need to provide an NDIA quote for these items – you can simply just purchase them using your NDIS plan.
Note: You can find further details about some of these products through the Independent Living Centre’s Australia website.
| Assistive Technology category | Example Assistive Technology items |
|---|---|
| Daily living solutions | Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s functional limitations due to their disability, these can include items such as:
• small devices to assist with dressing and undressing, eating and drinking NOTE: Excludes weighted blankets, bed-sticks, poles, bedrails and bedrail covers as these are considered more complex (Level 3 or Level 4) Assistive Technology |
| Mobility | Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s mobility limitations due to their disability, these can include items such as:
• Replacement mobility stick/cane, replacement covers NOTE: Any vehicle modification or Assistive |
| External continence | Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s continence needs due to their disability, these can include items such as:
• One off/short term supply of washable briefs, pads, bedding protectors |
| Communication devices | Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s communication limitations due to their disability, these can include items such as:
• low tech communication boards |
| Vision | •Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s visual limitations due to their disability, these can include items such as: replacement canes or cane tips throughout the year. (NOTE: This is only if the participant has already had a mobility assessment and it is a replacement). • Replacement magnifier e.g. hand held magnifiers • adaptive daily living equipment e.g. liquid level indicator, talking kitchen scales • tactile dots NOTE: The following items would generally not meet Reasonable and Necessary criteria and NDIS funding should not be used for purchasing these items: talking microwave, oven mitt (extra-long), chopping boards, measuring cups, talking food thermometer. Items such as a Victor Reader/Daisy Player should generally be trialled (rented) for a period to determine suitability when lower cost options are not available. |
| Hearing | Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s hearing limitations due to their disability, these can include items such as:
• vibrating alarm clock |
Standard (Level 2) Assistive Technology
These are considered low to medium cost products with low to medium risk you can purchase with your Assistive Technology funding. Standard (Level 2) Assistive Technology is typically available ‘off the shelf’ and either needs minor adjustments or straightforward training (i.e. adjust shower chair legs, instruct in use).
| Assistive Technology category | Example Assistive Technology items |
|---|---|
| Simple bathing and toileting devices | Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s functional limitations due to their disability, these can include items such as:
• hand-showers with diverter |
| Basic household devices | Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s mobility limitations due to their disability, these can include items such as:
• kitchen trolley |
| Home adaptations (external or internal) | Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s functional limitations due to their disability, these can include items such as:
• grab rails |
| Basic seating | Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s mobility limitations due to their disability, these can include items such as:
• standard chair adjustable height |
| Basic transfer equipment | Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s mobility limitations due to their disability, these can include items such as:
• replacement slide sheet and boards |
| Vision | Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s visual limitations due to their disability, these can include items such as:
• some vision specific apps for a smart phone e.g. blind square, KNFB reader (but is likely to always require some training in use) NOTE: Electronic portable hand held magnifiers may not be |
| Prosthetics and orthotics | Everyday use products with specific features that address the participant’s functional limitations due to their disability, these can include items such as:
• replacement stockings for a year |