Total Ability’s New High Level Assessment Process
Summary
Total Ability is introducing a new national assessment process for anyone exploring High-Level driving controls, including people who need to drive from their wheelchair.
Total Ability’s new assessment process has been designed to bring greater clarity around all the requirements for anyone needing High-Level controls – or to drive from their wheelchair – to get behind the wheel.
People in these circumstances generally require a significantly longer lead-time and incur a greater expense to achieve their goal of driving compared to people with disabilities who require standard controls.
The aim of this new process is to ensure that anyone starting on this pathway to driving has a realistic chance of completing it, and are able to get the funding help, if warranted, when it’s needed.
The New Process Explained
All High-Level clients will now begin with an online scoping session involving Total Ability, your Driver Trained Occupational Therapist (DTOT) and you.
This first step helps us understand your needs, confirm whether High-Level controls and/or driving from wheelchair are a safe and appropriate option, and map out the best pathway forward.
If the scoping session confirms suitability, you will then progress to a comprehensive on-road High-Level assessment.
This is conducted over one to two days with a specialised High-Level Driving Instructor, your DTOT, and a Total Ability technician / installer all working together.
During this assessment, we explore driving function, control access, postural needs, safety, and the right combination of equipment for your individual situation.
At the end of the assessment phase, Total Ability, in combination with your DTOT, will provide a detailed quote, a summary of recommended equipment, and all the relevant paperwork needed to obtain funding, as well as explaining your next steps.
The Advantages
Once funding has been secured, modifications can be completed, and drivers are then trained in their own modified vehicle which has significant advantages over the current system.
This new process provides greater clarity, consistency and safety — ensuring every High-Level or drive-from-wheelchair client receives a fully coordinated and personalised driving pathway, and greater assurance that you will achieve your driving goals.
What To Do Next
If you or someone you know is exploring High-Level driving controls, or you need to drive from your wheelchair, visit our High-Level Assessment webpage for further details and get in contact with us to set everything in motion.
This Guide covers:
- Initial Assessment
- Understanding the Plan
- Assistive Technology and the NDIS
- State Motoring Authorities
- Assessment Considerations
- Quotes and Evidence
- High-cost Vehicle Modifications
- Complete the NDIS Application
- After Lodgement
- Checklists
Driving Hand Controls Catalogue includes:
- Our complete range of driving hand controls
- For each control, the disabilities and conditions they are suitable for
- A comparison chart outlining the benefits and features of the various types of hand controls
- The history of Fadiel Italiana high level modification driving systems
