Low-Cost Assistive Technology in Adelaide: We Can Help You Get The Assistive Technology You Need
Based on ndis.gov.au, low-cost assistive technology in Adelaide is any item under $1,500 that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of anyone with disabilities. Assistive technology costing between $1,500 to $15,000 per item is mid-cost, while those over $15,000 are already considered high-cost.
But that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be able to get your hands on the kind of assistive technology you need when you apply for NDIA funding or support, or when you’re purchasing a piece of equipment, a program, or a system to help improve your quality of life. We at Bridging Potentials believe that any disabled person should have open access to affordable assistive technology.
Low-Cost Assistive Technology in Adelaide: What Is Assistive Technology (AT)?
As mentioned earlier, assistive technology or AT is anything, any item. These can be low-tech, such as talking calculators, Braille displays, speech-to-text tools, and the like. High-tech, on the other hand, can be items built for a special or specific purpose like electric wheelchairs, speech recognition devices, etc. They can also be hardware like prosthetics, computer hardware such as keyboards and pointing devices, and computer software like screen readers. There is a whole world of assistive technology (AT) that helps improve the quality of life not only for disabled individuals but anyone who needs it.
Kinds of AT
Here is where the occupational therapists of Bridging Potentials come into the picture. Through our NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment, we will be able to identify the kind of AT you need, regardless of whether it is low-cost or not. However, you should be aware of AT items that NDIS considers low-risk and high-risk.
AT items that have low risk are the ones that have minimum to zero hazards when used in a daily living environment. Usually, they are available in stores and do not require professional advice or setup support to use. Items like a non-slip bathmat or eating utensils belong to low-risk AT.
AT items that belong to high risk usually need specialised advice from an OT before purchasing because they usually need to be set up correctly before you’re able to use them. Items that belong to this category include prosthetics, mobility supports, and the like.
It’s worth noting that there are low-cost assistive technology items that NDIS will not fund. These are the following:
- Internet access or data
- Standard items most people have in the home like a kettle or furniture
- Items used for treatment or rehabilitation
- Play equipment not connected to the sensory needs of the child
- Assessment or therapy tools used by therapists
Learn more about low-cost AT. Call Bridging Potentials today!
About Us
Bridging Potentials is your partner in preparing your loved one for the future through occupational therapy to enable them to become independent and self-sufficient. With a team of experienced professionals specialising in occupational therapy for children and adults, you can ensure your loved one will learn to develop an independent lifestyle by improving their motor, sensory, behavioural, social, and cognitive skills, among other things.
Using standardised testing, clinical observations, and other measuring tools to gauge their strengths and limitations, our team of expert occupational therapists will develop a customised program that will help the individual build their skills, equipping them in the process, to let them do the things they want to do, from simple tasks like getting ready for the day, preparing food, using public transport and the like to managing relationships, finding employment, and so on.
Let Bridging Potentials be your dedicated partner in providing support for your loved one here in Adelaide. We believe in creating and supporting a community where each one is valued and accepted, where our shared connections and experiences create a special bond that shapes the future of your loved one.
