Accessing AT from rural and remote areas

A young lady stands smiling as she brings her smart watch up to towards her face to read it. A speech bubble is in the background with the words, Why self-advocacy is important for assistive technology (AT) users.

An example of the difficulties faced by assistive technology (AT) users when accessing (AT) while living in regional or remote areas and some solutions, comes from Nerine Williams.

“Living in rural and remote Australia has many benefits but it can be challenging to access Assistive Technology and there is limited to no access to AT professionals for advice. So how does someone who is living in Port Hedland access AT providers to trial equipment?

I needed a rollator that was lightweight and compact, with a seat, and that looked the opposite of medical – something sleek and fun!

I was so determined to get it right that I started approaching strangers with rollators in the street. I’d ask them what they liked and disliked, and if they loved their rollator, and asked for details of its brand and model.

My husband and I researched online, reading articles and user reviews, watching manufacturer and user videos, and looking at retailer’s websites, all the while keeping in mind my list of needs – safety, height adjustable, compact when folded, and a comfortable seat. From this, we came up with a top 3 list and the contact details of retailers that sold the rollators.

An upcoming family holiday to Perth was a great opportunity to acquire my new rollator, so after booking flights, we also booked a hire car ensuring it had boot space large enough for our luggage and a rollator. As I didn’t have an Occupational Therapist to talk to in Port Hedland, we also made an appointment to meet an OT at Indigo (formerly Independent Living Centre).

A week before flying, I called the retailers on my list to find out who had all my preferred rollators in stock, so I could trial and compare them all in one place.

Arriving in Perth, we went straight from the airport to Indigo. Although we went to talk about rollators, we also checked out walking sticks, mobility scooters, and powered wheelchairs. We came away with buzzing brains and an email with a list of answers for my immediate AT challenges as well as potential future solutions, which has helped inform our AT decisions over the next four years, including the purchase of my powerchair last year.

A woman is standing outside next to a colourful mural as she gets her rollator out of the boot of her car. Heading to the retailer, we looked at our Top 3 rollators and several others we had not previously considered: asking questions about reliability and ease of repair and comparing height, footprint, and comfort. Before we knew it, it was time for the store to close, so over dinner, we compared what we had liked about each of the rollators we had seen in terms of my needs and looked at reviews for the rollators we had seen that had not been on the original list.

The next morning, we went back to the retailer and bought the rollator that had been my original first choice: it was the most transportable in its collapsed form, was the easiest for me to collapse when travelling by myself and although it only came in black, still looked sleek.

The retailer was great and disposed of my old rollator, leaving me to give my new rollator a decent trial during the remaining four days of our holiday before heading home.”

Follow this link to ‘Comparing assistive technology (AT) - A tool to assist with self-advocacy and AT decision making'. Developed by Nerine and used to help her choose her rollator.

Make sure you keep an eye out for the next resource, 'How to self-advocate – 10 steps that could help you’. A resource developed with Nerine to help you self-advocate for AT that will meet your specific needs. Make sure you follow us on Facebook @ATChatWithUs so you don't miss it.

Download the blank template of this tool here: