What is Assistive Technology?

Published at 31-03-2025 14:38:50

Tags: #ForParticipants

Assistive Technology (AT) is a vital component of the NDIS, designed to enhance the independence, safety, and participation of participants in their daily activities. Often abbreviated to 'AT' and sometimes called 'equipment', assistive technology includes devices or items that assist you in performing daily tasks more efficiently and safely.

How Does Assistive Technology Help?

The primary goals of including assistive technology in your NDIS funding are to:

• Increase independence: This means reducing your reliance on person-to-person support by enabling you to accomplish more on your own.
• Increase participation: Assistive technology makes it easier for you to engage in activities, thereby expanding what you can do independently.
• Promote safety: By mitigating risks and hazards in your environment, assistive technology helps create a safer living space.

Whether it's for activities you currently engage in or new ones you wish to undertake, assistive technology supports your goals and aspirations effectively.

Types of Assistive Technology

Disability-Specific Aids These are items specifically designed to address the challenges associated with disabilities. They are often more specialized and include:

• Powered wheelchairs
• Alternating air mattresses
• Shower chairs
• Modified chopping boards Such aids are usually explicitly named in your NDIS plan due to their specific nature and direct relation to disability needs.

Mainstream Support Conversely, some assistive technologies are everyday items that you can purchase from regular stores but serve a specific purpose related to your disability. These are considered low-cost or low-risk assistive technologies as they are generally under $1500. Examples include:

• Planners or schedules
• Large print labels
• Electric timer toothbrushes
• Apple watches for fall detection or emergency contact

When opting for mainstream support items, it's essential to justify their necessity in relation to your disability challenges, potentially with guidance from allied health professionals.

Where to Find Assistive Technology in Your NDIS Plan

Assistive Technology is typically funded under the Capital Supports category of your NDIS plan, which also includes Core Supports and Capacity Building Supports. If your plan doesn’t currently include a Capital Supports budget, you may not have direct funding allocated for Assistive Technology.

For low-cost assistive technology, you can often use your Consumables budget from the Core Supports Category, allowing for flexibility in purchasing essential items.

Getting Assistive Technology Funded

To incorporate assistive technology into your NDIS plan, you can:

• Discuss your needs during your initial NDIS planning meeting or subsequent reviews, where you can outline how AT could help achieve your future goals.
• Utilize allocated funds for a therapist to assess your assistive technology needs, which typically falls under the Capacity Building category.

Approval Process for Assistive Technology

The approval process varies depending on the cost of the assistive technology:

• Low cost (under $1500): Generally does not require NDIA approval.
• Mid cost ($1500 - $15,000): Approval may not be needed if the AT is already included in your plan. Otherwise, a request to the NDIA may be necessary.
• High cost (over $15,000): Always requires NDIA approval.

It's recommended to involve a therapist, such as an Occupational Therapist, to ensure the assistive technology is appropriate for your needs and meets the NDIS's Reasonable and Necessary Criteria.

Finding the Right AT Suppliers

For reliable AT suppliers, Expath can connect you with qualified therapists who specialize in prescribing assistive technology. Additionally, Expath offers an extensive directory of AT providers, ensuring you have access to a wide range of options to meet your specific needs. This support streamlines the process, helping you enhance your daily life through the right assistive technologies.