Seated Mobility: Wheelchair Accessories/Modifications
APPENDIX A
This list is not exhaustive and may be changed without notice. EnableNSW will make the final
SEATED
MOBILITY:
Wheelchairs
decision regarding the provision of equipment
that is
not specifically
included orAccessories
excluded in and Modifications
the guidelines.
Accessories or modifications
Clinical Criteria
Eligible Prescriber
Request Process
STANDARD ACCESSORIES or MODIFICATIONS not provided as standard feature for basic model of the requested wheelchair.
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Stump support
Pelvic/lap belt
Standard pressure reducing foam
cushion
Amputee set up
Standard head rest or head rest
extension
Vehicle tie down points
Solid tyres
Anti tips
Brake extension handles
Scissor style brakes
Standard footrest available with model
of wheelchair
Hip or skirt guards
Portable oxygen holder
Lights for PWC
Growth kits

Provided on request
Registered
occupational
therapist;
Registered
Physiotherapist *
Meets at least 1 of criteria below:
 Child anticipated to grow during the life of the
chair
 Person has history or frequent excessive
weight gain or weight loss
CUSTOMISED ACCESSORIES or MODIFICATIONS that are not provided as standard feature on the base model of the requested wheelchair.
Armrest options:
removable; drop down; lock down; front
locking; safety flip up or similar; wider pads;
trough supports; modified height
Meets all criteria below:
 Standard options trialled and not suitable
 Required for postural control, safety or
security during mobility, self care tasks or to
facilitate transfers
Registered Occupational
therapist or Registered
Physiotherapist with > 1
year experience and 3
previous prescriptions **
Additonal Information:
Information regarding functional
outcomes of trials of standard
items is required.
* Registered nurses may request items in this category in circumstances in which an occupational therapist or physiotherapist is unavailable. Please contact
an EnableNSW Equipment Advisor before submitting a request
Frame: Modified height (lowered or raised)
Backrest – Basic:
Tension adjustable; Padded; Flat; modified
height; Mesh;
Footrest options:
Non-standard angle; modified height or
size;
Headrest - custom:
Off set mounting, non-standard head rests
Handrims:
Ergonomic, capstan, rubberised
Leg rests – manual elevating
Power conversion kit for manual
wheelchair

Required for independent standing or sliding
transfers
Meets at least 1 of criteria below:
 Body shape or size requires non-standard
backrest to provide sufficient postural
support
 Required to allow use of lateral supports
Meets all criteria below:
 Standard options trialled and not suitable
 Required for postural control, safety or
security during mobility, activities of daily
living or to facilitate transfers
Meets all criteria below:
 Standard options trialled and not suitable
 Required for postural control, safety or
security during mobility, communication
and/or activities of daily living
Successful trial of this item with documented
increase in propulsion or reduction of symptoms
Plus meets at least 1 of criteria below:
 Documented history of wrist and upper limb
pain
 Person has insufficient hand and/or upper limb
function to use standard push rims
Meets at least 1 of criteria below:
 Required due to postural support needs
 Person has a health condition, that requires
leg elevation
 There is demonstrated reduction in leg
odema with leg elevation that is unable to be
managed by other strategies

See Seated Mobility Clinical Criteria for manual
wheelchair with power conversion kit/ power assist
wheelchair – self propelled or attendant controlled.
**Previous prescriptions do not need to be for EnableNSW funding
Seated Mobility Clinical Criteria –Appendix A: Wheelchair Accessories and Modifications – August 2016
Additional wheel for manual wheelchair
Not provided:
- for recreation
- in addition to a power conversion kit
Meets all criteria below:
 Person lives on a rural property
 Person is an independent wheelchair user
 There has been a trial in the environment of
use that demonstrates measureable
improvement in mobilising (e.g. endurance,
speed) compared to using a manual
wheelchair alone
 Person is able to independently remove the
additional wheel for access within the home
and for transfers
Non-standard wheels, tyres and castors
Meets all criteria below:
 Person is an independent wheelchair user
 There has been a trial in the environment of
use that demonstrates measureable
improvement in mobilising (e.g. endurance,
speed) compared to using the included tyres,
wheels or castors for requested model of
wheelchair
Spokes – non standard, custom or
designer spokes, mags, spoke
decorations
Meets all criteria below:
 Person requires a non-standard spokes in
order to remove wheels independently in order
to stow in car
 There has been a trial that demonstrates a
measurable difference between use of
standard and non standard/custom spokes
Meets all criteria below:
 Transit wheels are other style of wheels have
been considered and not suitable/available
 Person has poor hand
function/sensation/upper limb extensor tone
and is a risk of injury due to trapping fingers in
spokes
Spoke guards
Not provided as a replacement for carer
education/supervision
**Previous prescriptions do not need to be for EnableNSW funding
Seated Mobility Clinical Criteria –Appendix A: Wheelchair Accessories and Modifications – August 2016
NON-STANDARD POWER FEATURES FOR POWER WHEELCHAIRS not provided as standard feature on base model of the requested wheelchair
Attendant control only
Not provided for residents of aged care
facilities
Attendant control mounting in addition
to individual’s controller
Provided as standard where a person uses
an alternative controller (eg chin or head
control)
The person’s weight, ancillary equipment (e.g.
ventilator), carer abilities or main environment of
use prohibit pushing an attendant propelled
wheelchair.
Registered Occupational
therapist or Registered
Physiotherapist with > 1
year experience and 3
previous prescriptions **
Person has sufficient ability to control the power
chair in some situations but not others, due to
manoeuvrability in confined spaces, safety
concerns, variable consumer skill or fatigue
levels
Elevating leg rests - power
Meets at least 1 of criteria below:
 Required due to postural support needs
 Person has a health condition, that requires
leg elevation
 There is demonstrated reduction in leg
odema with leg elevation that is unable to be
managed by other strategies
Recline – manual
(non-standard feature)
Use of Tilt-in-Space has been considered and is
not suitable to address pressure care, postural
needs or accommodate deformities
Recline - power
Meets all criteria below:
 Use of Tilt-in-Space has been considered and
is not suitable to address pressure care,
postural needs or accommodate deformities
 Person is able to reposition self when return to
upright position
**Previous prescriptions do not need to be for EnableNSW funding
Seated Mobility Clinical Criteria –Appendix A: Wheelchair Accessories and Modifications – August 2016
Additional Information:
Complete Relevant section of
Question 4 on seated mobility
Equipment Request form and
provide documentation of carer’s
health condition if required
Additional Information:
Details of frequency and
environments of use for
independent and attendant
control use is required
Seat elevation – power
Not provided to replace the need for
environment / household/workplace
modifications
Meets all criteria below:
 Raised or changeable seat height enables the
person to independently transfer
 The required transfer height is not functional
for other activities
 Person does not use a hoist
 Feature is used for majority of transfers
Seat to floor – power
Meets all criteria below:
 Provided for people who can mobilise in some
manner on the floor and can transfer
independently to the seat when aligning with
floor level
 This feature is used for the majority of
transfers
 Person does not use a hoist
CUSTOM-MADE ACCESSORIES AND MODIFICATIONS
Alternate controls (i.e. chin
control, sip and puff, head array,
scanners)
An attendant controller is provided as
standard
Ventilator trays or mounting for
respiratory equipment
Excluded accessories or modifications
Meets all criteria below:
 The person cannot use a regular joystick
 Person has demonstrated safe control of
wheelchair with alternate control
Meets all criteria below:
 Need for respiratory support when using
wheelchair
 Other options such as bags are unable to be
mounted due to stability issues
 Respiratory team have been consulted
regarding the type of equipment and need for
mounting
 Bags and bag hooks
 Cup holders
 Non-standard colours and upholstery
 Sunshades
 Sit to stand power function
 Vehicle docking systems
Eligible Prescribers:
Registered Occupational
Therapist or registered
physiotherapist with > 3
year experience and 5
previous prescriptions**
plus 1 or more members
of multidisciplinary team
or prescribed in
consultation with a
seating service.
**Previous prescriptions do not need to be for EnableNSW funding
Seated Mobility Clinical Criteria –Appendix A: Wheelchair Accessories and Modifications – August 2016
List names and clinical service
of members of multidisciplinary
team consulted and in
agreement with prescription
must be listed on equipment
request form.

Designer spokes and spoke decorations
**Previous prescriptions do not need to be for EnableNSW funding
Seated Mobility Clinical Criteria –Appendix A: Wheelchair Accessories and Modifications – August 2016