Author name: Ashleigh Haskins

We all know that in seating, pelvic positioning is the key to postural alignment. It dictates the position of the trunk and head and as a result, how we use our extremities to function. Whilst we need to consider the support surfaces making contact with our body, it is often the pelvic belt offering anterior […]

A MAT assessment, or MAT evaluation, is commonly used by seating clinicians as part of the seating and mobility assessment process. But for some clinicians, it can be tempting to skip the MAT assessment as they can be time consuming, or it may be difficult to find a suitable location to conduct the assessment. But

Powered seat elevation has rapidly become the most prescribed powered seat function after tilt-in-space. The benefits of seat elevation are varied, and most users of seat elevation greatly value the increase in independence and function that the feature provides. For some time, seat elevation was viewed as a ‘luxury’ addition to a power wheelchair, but

Over the past few months on our blog, we’ve looked at the different types of power assist devices, as well as the clinical evidence regarding their use. We are often also asked how to choose between a manual wheelchair with a power assist device and a power wheelchair, especially when considering a power assist device

As clinicians, we always consider visual impairments when assessing for and prescribing assistive technology, but if we’re honest we often treat visual impairments as a homogenous group rather than considering the specific type of visual impairment an individual may have. Considering that there are many types of visual impairments which present differently and have varying

In this post we’re going to look at manual wheelchair frame materials, the most common being aluminium, titanium, carbon fibre and magnesium, and why wheelchairs are made from these materials. But before we delve into that, let’s address the first thing most people think about when they consider wheelchair frame material: weight. One of the

Pressure mapping technology has been available for a few decades, but as pressure mapping systems have become more user-friendly and cost-effective, it is easier than ever to incorporate pressure mapping into your clinical process. A pressure mapping device is a pad with in-built sensors that is placed underneath a person, usually on a wheelchair cushion,

One question that the GTK consultants are often asked is what the difference is between the controller systems that different power wheelchairs use? Every power wheelchair operates on a control system, which is essentially a piece of software for your power wheelchair. The control system tells the motors and batteries how to behave, as well

Introducing powered mobility to children can be quite daunting and is usually a nervous time for both clinicians and families. Clinicians want any introduction to be successful to maximise a child’s independence, and families usually have some concerns regarding whether powered mobility can be implemented safely. Overall, it is usually a period of excitement, and

If you use a power wheelchair that travels in a vehicle with a docking system, a retractable docking pin might be just what you need. Most power wheelchairs are able to be fitted with a plate or pin that sits under the base of the wheelchair to dock into a vehicle, however because they sit

One of the hardest parts of wheelchair prescription is working out what a person needs in the wheelchair for the years to come. For most people, we need the wheelchair to last approximately five years before they have funding available for a new one, although for children their wheelchairs are often replaced much sooner as

A power assist device is a motorised accessory that can be attached to a manual wheelchair. It allows a wheelchair user to propel with less energy expenditure. The motor in the power assist device helps with wheelchair propulsion, reducing the physical strain on the wheelchair user and often extending their ability to get around in

Once you’ve worked out the best power wheelchair to suit the user’s needs, it’s time to select what type of legrests, or hangers, that the wheelchair will come with. It sounds like it should be an easy decision, but like most parts of a wheelchair there are several options and they each offer pros and

Our last of the excellent Decision Trees developed by David Quach (Occupational Therapist, Aspire Rehab) is about scripting power assist devices. This Decision Tree helps determine what type of power assist device could be most suitable for an individual, which is very helpful considering that the different types and designs of power assist will usually

Following on from the Decision Tree for Power Wheelchairs from our last blog post, in this post we have a Decision Tree for manual wheelchair prescription. The Decision trees were developed by David Quach (Occupational Therapist, Aspire Rehab), who has many years’ experience in prescribing assistive technology. Like his fantastic Decision Tree for prescribing power

Sometimes the process of working out what type of power wheelchair is needed and what features should be considered can be daunting for therapists new to prescribing assistive technology. David Quach (Occupational Therapist, Aspire Rehab / www.aspirerehab.com.au) has developed this wonderful decision tree which prompts us on the questions that should be asked when scripting

In our increasingly busy clinical lives, it’s easy to rush through wheelchair and seating assessments, relying on information gleaned from past assessments and solely using the client’s existing equipment to determine what their future wheelchair and seating solution will look like. But one of the most important aspects of completing a thorough, high-quality wheelchair and

Power assist devices on manual wheelchairs are becoming more and more popular as we become aware of benefits they provide, and new options and designs become available. For manual wheelchair users, a power assist device allows them to propel with less energy expenditure, reducing the strain on the upper limbs and allowing users to extend

Over the past few years, power wheelchairs have been available with anterior tilt functionality. Although the use of powered posterior tilt is very common in power wheelchair scripting, anterior tilt is not as widely prescribed. For therapists, it can be difficult to determine which power seat functions are reasonable and necessary for a client, and

Over a 24-hour period, we spend parts of the day in various positions or support surfaces. We might spend eight hours in bed, two hours in a car commuting to work, eight hours in an office chair, and a few hours in an armchair at night, interspersed with periods of walking or exercise. A wheelchair

One of the common questions we are asked about power wheelchairs is what is better, two pole or four pole motors? Like many of the ‘what is better questions’, there is no easy answer as it depends on what the wheelchair is going to be used for and the individual needs of the user. A

It is not unusual to see news articles reporting on how sitting too much is detrimental to our health, and standing desks are becoming more popular in many office environments. We’re slowly understanding the impact of standing on our health for everyone, including wheelchair users. For wheelchair users, a standing wheelchair may be an appropriate

Wheelchair drive controls are categorised as proportional or non-proportional. But a common question asked by therapists is what exactly does this mean? Proportional Drive Controls Proportional drive controls allow the user to move in any direction in response to the movement of the controller. For example, a standard controller is a proportional control as the

Power wheelchair batteries are often not thought of until they experience problems. At GTK, we’d like to shed some light on wheelchair batteries considering how important they are to the wheelchair. A power wheelchair uses two batteries that are connected in series, and supply the electrical energy needed to power the wheelchair. We often use

Mobility scooters can make it easier for people with mobility difficulties to get around. They are stylish, highly functional and attractive to look at. However, beyond these, they offer a host of other benefits. Are you looking to get a mobility aid for a loved one or yourself but are still not sure which to

When thinking about how to set up your wheelchair, tyres are not something most people consider in detail. But as wheelchair tyres are the item that connect your wheelchair to the ground and impact on ride quality, speed and manoeuvrability, it’s important to get it right. The tyres act like shock absorbers, impacting the smoothness

Walking frames are a form of mobility aids that provide disabled people with extra support and stability for walking. Basically, it helps people with disabilities or physical restrictions to maintain balance when walking. Although they are very helpful, choosing the right one can be a tad confusing as they come in a variety of designs

Wheelchairs increase mobility and independence for people with disabilities, enabling active participation in day to day activities. While the thought of getting one seems very straight forward, it can prove pretty confusing as the options available are bountiful. As a result, it becomes important to get acquainted with the benefits of the major types available.

For people who have limited mobility, mobility aids are a great relief. However, with mobility aids, people are faced with a slight yet significant dilemma – choosing the right one. In many cases, the choice is narrowed down to two options: power wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Although similar, these two mobility aids have distinguishing features

For a lot of younger people who don’t have mobility issues, using the bathroom or taking a shower is usually a breeze. However, for the elderly or a person with a disability, the story is different. For starters, it can be difficult to move to the bathroom and perform the normal bathroom routine. The small

For people who suffer from mobility impairments, wheelchairs are a welcome relief. They not only help to solve the issue of limited mobility but also enhance the user’s quality of life. Thus, it is obvious that wheelchairs are essential additions to the lives of people who suffer from mobility impairments. However, buying the right type

For elderly people or those living with disabilities, mobility impairments often come with a form of social isolation. People who suffer from these conditions usually have to depend totally or completely on loved ones or carers for assistance. Fortunately, mobility scooters have changed all of that as they serve as an excellent means to restore

In today’s world, mobility devices provide a great service for people with trouble moving around. They restore the feeling of independence and security. Rollators and Walking frames are two very popular aids that can help. However, when it comes to making a choice, most people often find it difficult and a bit confusing. How do