ULTIMATE ACTIVEWEAR
Optimising Mobility Through Advanced Power Wheelchair Programming (Melbourne)
Modern power wheelchairs offer increasingly sophisticated programming capabilities that can significantly enhance functional independence, safety, and user experience when applied with thoughtful clinical reasoning. While hardware configuration remains essential, advanced software programming including memory seating functions, drive profile optimisation, joystick tuning, and alternative control setup plays an equally critical role in enabling users to achieve precise, efficient, and personalised mobility outcomes.
This session explores the clinical considerations underpinning advanced programming for complex mobility needs. We will examine how memory seating functions can support posture, pressure management, functional access, and routine efficiency. Drive settings such as acceleration curves, torque limits, turning speeds, and terrain specific profiles will be discussed in relation to user skill, cognitive load, environmental demands, and safety.
The session will also outline best practice approaches to joystick programming, including dead band, throw, sensitivity, haptic feedback, and proportionality adjustments, emphasising how nuanced tuning can improve control for users with weakness, tremor, dystonia, or limited movement. Finally, we will explore strategies for programming and integrating alternative controls to ensure reliable access for users who cannot utilise standard joysticks.
Clinicians will gain tools to individualise programming decisions, enhance user confidence, and leverage advanced technology to support meaningful participation and mobility.
Learning Objectives
After attending this session, participants will be able to:
- Analyse key clinical considerations for optimising memory seating, drive profiles, joystick parameters, and alternative access methods to enhance user control, comfort, and functional independence.
- Identify user specific factors including motor control, cognition, posture, fatigue, and environmental demands that influence programming decisions across advanced seating and mobility functions.
- Apply programming strategies to personalise power wheelchair performance, improve access, and support safe, efficient mobility for users with diverse and complex needs.
When:
Where:
Cost:
Tuesday 2nd June, 2026
1pm – 4pm
GTK Melbourne, 25/18-20 Edward Street Oakleigh VIC 3166
$25
Why not make a day of it?
We’re also running a morning workshop, ‘Growing into Movement: Advancing On Time and Independent Mobility for Children‘ If you’re attending the afternoon session, consider joining us in the morning as well.
Lunch is on us!
If you decide to attend both workshops, we’ll be serving lunch between sessions. It’s a great chance to relax, network with fellow attendees, and recharge for the second half of the day. For those attending only the afternoon session, feel free to come a little earlier and join us for lunch.
Meet the Presenter:
Ben Gommers (Permobil)
Ben is a Clinical Services Specialist at Permobil Asia Pacific, based in Melbourne Australia. With his background as a Physiotherapist, he has extensive experience with Assistive Technology. Before joining Permobil, Ben worked within Cerebral Palsy community centres, specialist schools, and most recently as an Assistive Technology consultant.
Throughout his career, Ben has focused on complex seating and postural management. Ben is deeply committed to enhancing comfort, function, independence, and quality of life for his clients by applying client-centred and evidence-based practices. He loves thinking creatively and finding innovative ways to apply Assistive Technology to achieve successful outcomes for his clients. When Ben is not at work you will find him either working in the garden, hanging out with friends or watching the AFL.
