The state and territory government equipment schemes provide access to a range of equipment for eligible people. The eligibility requirements may vary, as will the types and variety of equipment. The programs include:

ACT: ACT Equipment Scheme

NSW: Aids and Equipment Program (formerly known as PADP) - administered through EnableNSW.

NT: Territory Independence and Mobility Equipment (TIME) Scheme

QLD: Medical Aids Subsidies Scheme (MASS)

SA: Domiciliary Equipment Service

VIC: Aids and Equipment Program (A&EP) 

WA: Continence Management and Support Scheme

Equipment Suppliers Database. This database managed by IDEAS, has a national, comprehensive and easy to search collection of suppliers of equipment for people with disability and people with age related disability.

The Independent Living Centre NSW (Fennel St, Parramatta NSW 2150; Ph: 1300 885 886) has an extensive catalogue of suppliers of specialist disability equipment. It also has a display of a modified kitchen, bathroom and related equipment and accessories. An occupational therapist is available by appointment. For ILCs in other states see www.ilcaustralia.org/contactus.asp

Equipment for people with disabilities that isn't available 'off-the-shelf' or needs customisation, can be made or modified by volunteer engineers from Technical Aid to the Disabled.

SCInfo has information on disability equipment suppliers - contact SCInfo for details.

See our links to assistive technology, access and equipment suppliers and organisations

Also see our pages on Continence care.

Suppliers of wheelchairs and accessories in Australia

* Invacare - http://www.invacare.com.au. Check the website for the location of your local dealer.

* Walk on Wheels - http://walkonwheels.com.au. Check the website for the location of your local shop.

Importing Wheelchairs

If you decide to import your own wheelchair these are some of the issues to consider. Products that are made solely for people with disabilities are duty and GST free. In this particular instance, Schedule 3 of the Customs Tarriff Act 1995 lists types of products and the amount of tariff that applies. Section 17 Chapter 87/1 R - 8713 specifies the exemption for "Carriages for disabled persons, whether or not motorised or otherwise mechanically propelled". GST is not levied on certain medical aids and appliances. The list is in Schedule 3 of the GST Act, and includes a wide range of products, from wheelchairs to continence equipment, specialist switches to page turners. Spare parts are also exempt.

However generic equipment and parts are not exempt. For example, a wheelchair battery that can also be used in a golf cart; a computer or an air conditioner, even though you might need them due to your disability.

The exception to this - there always is one - is the GST exemption for a car that a person with a mobility disability uses to get to and from work. Spare parts are also GST free. But remember, your mechanic's labour charge is not GST free. And you have to have your application for the exemption approved before you buy. Click here for information on how to apply. And don't pay for anything before you know that GST isn't being charged ... you won't get a refund.

There are a wide range of organisations supplying assistive  goods and services. SCIA also publishes a regular column in our magazine Accord on computer technology related subjects. Or come and discuss your personal experiences in the Computers & IT and Equipment sections of our Forum.

Australia

ARATA—Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association. ARATA’s purpose is to serve as a forum for information sharing and liaison between people who are involved with assistive technology.

Ability Technology— provides a complete computer and home automation service for people with disabilities. Services include advice, assessments, customisation, training and technical support.

......Assistance Dogs........

Australian Support Dogs (ASDOG)— ASDOG specially trains dogs to help people who have various physical disabilities to live with greater independence and quality of life.

Assistance Dogs Australia—Obtains, trains and maintains dogs in community settings to assist people with their disabilities, to give them more confidence and to help them achieve a greater level of independence.

Canine Helpers for the Disabled, Inc.
07 3350 2090 www.caninehelpers.org.au

Association of Australian Assistance Dogs (NQ), Inc.
07 4093 5265 www.asdogsnq.org

(Also read SCIA's Hot Topic on Assistance Dogs).

CATS (Computer Assistive Technology Services)—Northcott Society—resource centre for computer based technology and communication options for people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities

Communication Access – Calvary Health Care, Southern Region – Tasmania. Assessment, advice, training and short term loan of equipment for people of all ages with a disability and their support people. Focus areas include communication, computer access and environmental control.

Comtec (Victoria). ComTEC offers services throughout Victoria to people of all ages with a disability who have communication and technology needs. The ComTEC team consists of speech pathologists, occupational therapists and IT support with expertise in communication and technology for people with disabilities.

Independent Living Centre NSW – Assistive Technology. If you have any questions about selecting and obtaining AT, or are unsure where to start, the ILC can assist.

Lifetec Queensland – Originally known as the Independent Living Centre Qld, Lifetec provides information, education, and consultation on how assistive technology can improve your quality of life and maintain your independence in the community.

National Relay Service—relays calls between people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment and the wider community 24 hours, every day of the year.

Novitatech Regency Park Rehabilitation Engineering A rehabilitation engineering centre providing a wide range of rehabilitation equipment and assistive technology for individual needs, including offering specialised mobility, seating and orthotics services, a research and development  team and information on testing equipment to Australian and International Standards. NovitaTech works with children and adults of all ages and disabilities.

Rehabilitation Unit, Royal Perth Hospital - A rehabilitation engineering centre for customising technology to suit individual needs, specialising in wheeled mobility, powered mobility, seating, pressure management and AAC.

Spectronics—Spectronics is Australia and New Zealand’s largest supplier of special needs software and assistive technologies.

TASC & Technability—The Spastic Centre—technology, seating, mobility, communication, computer access and environmental control to people with disabilities.

Technical Aid for the Disabled —custom making and modifying of disability products for people with disabilities if no commercial alternative exists. There are TAD offices in most States and Territories. Click on the map of Australia on the website to locate the TAD offices in your area.

Technical Solutions Australia—specialising in electronics for people with disabilities.

Vision Australia – Adaptive Technology. Includes information about technology such as talking and screen reading programs.

International

Abledata (USA)—premier source for information on assistive technology.

SCI Pilot—Contains the assistive technology experiences and insights of individuals who have had a spinal cord injury.  Rather than a catalogue of products, you'll find advice and strategies from those who have first hand experience in getting and using assistive devices, and descriptions of practical, homemade inventions that solve real-world problems.

Spinalistips. Tips and tricks from people with spinal cord injuries.

Trace Research and Development Center (USA)—College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison—a pioneer in the field of technology and disability.

Imogen Howe's recent study into clothing needs for people with spinal cord injury found that finding suitable clothing is a common issue for wheelchairs users and that many found it very hard to find clothing that was easy to put on and sat correctly on the seated figure but that was also stylish and fashionable.

It is very important to wheelchair users that they wear clothing that not only fits in with the perceived social norm but that also functions appropriately So what is the solution? Accessing changing rooms can be a challenge for many wheelchair users but the world of online shopping has opened up a host of opportunities—here are a few designers that we have found:

**Benedict Cutler Clothing Solutions. Launched in April 2011 Benedict Cutler Clothing Solutions provides a wide range of stylish clothing for wheelchair users. Visit benedictcutler.com.au/.

**Errine Adaptive Clothing designs and manufactures clothing for seniors with disabilities to enable easier dressing. Visit www.errine.com.au.

**3E Love is a disability awareness clothing line and marketing company selling t-shirts, hoodies, bags, stickers and buttons. Visit www.3elove.com.

**LegaWear make suits, tuxedos and jeans. You supply the measurements and the design you want and LegaWear will make the clothing to order. Visit www.legawear.com.

**Izzy Camilleri Adaptive Clothing features modern, stylish and sophisticated pieces for both women and men who use a wheelchair. Visit www.izadaptive.com.

**Versa AccessWear where function meets fashion. Visit www.versaaccesswear.com.

**Ag Apparel offers attractive and innovative designs. Visit www.agapparel.com.

**Wheeliechix-chic offers a designer collection specifically tailored for the independent, sexy and confident wheelchair woman. Visit www.wheeliechix-chic.com.

**Kymotion Designs where people with disabilities can choose from the same funky, stylish, high quality, easy wear designs as able bodied people. Visit www.kymotion.com/design.

**Able2Wear offers adaptive disabled clothing for people with disabilities and wheelchair users of all ages. Visit www.able2wear.co.uk.

**Wheelynicecovers features the designs of the House of Edin. Visit www.wheelynicecovers.com.

**Heels with Wheels is a fashion line that is dedicated to helping other women who have been through a life changing experience. Visit www.heelswithwheels.com.

**USA Jeans offers designs specially designed for wheelchair users. Visit www.wheelchairjeans.com.

**Disabled Gear sells Rollitex trousers and jeans which have been specially designed for wheelchair users. Visit www.disabledgear.com.

**Fashion Freaks allows you to design your own clothing. Visit www.independentliving.org/fashionfreaks.

Discuss in the Equipment and Computers & IT section of our Forum.

Read the Equipment section in SCIA's Back on Track publication.