While preventive care, such as bi-annual dental exams, preventive screenings and physical exams, is routinely covered by health insurance providers, preventive maintenance for CRT equipment is generally not covered. As a result, many CRT users feel they must wait for a part to fail before seeking a repair, which often leads to longer repair times, decreased mobility and independence, lost income, missing out on family and social events, and sometimes even contributes to medical complications.

How Would Coverage for Preventive Maintenance Help CRT Users? 

CRT equipment is highly customized and often comprised of thousands of components. Since CRT users use mobility equipment daily, the wear and tear adds up. Parts wear out or require frequent maintenance to keep the wheelchair working at optimal levels. Like routine oil changes or tire rotations on a car or scheduled tune-ups for household appliances, preventive maintenance for CRT equipment would benefit CRT users and their caregivers in several ways:

• Reducing catastrophic equipment failures by catching wear and tear before it contributes to additional damage or malfunctions.
• Ensuring frequent adjustments so that the chair is configured to a CRT user’s specific needs, including posture, alignment, pressure distribution, comfort and more. 
• Reducing health risks that can develop when a CRT user is immobile or incorrectly seated, such as pressure sores and musculoskeletal issues or falls and collisions caused by equipment failure.
• Preventing loss of mobility, allowing CRT users to work, spend time with friends and family and keep moving through their lives.
• Minimizing repair wait times since catastrophic equipment failures often lead to lengthy repairs and allows CRT users and caregivers to plan ahead for routine maintenance rather than deal with an emergency when a chair fails.

What Does Data Reveal about the Value of Preventive Maintenance for CRT Equipment? 

Researchers have conducted several studies that point to the value of preventive maintenance for CRT equipment in preventing injuries, accidents and medical complications. Chair failures can also affect income, mental health and participation in work, family and community life, which studies have noted as well. 

Here are a few highlights: 

• Research has shown that proactively checking up on equipment can lead to fewer accidents.
• While most CRT equipment is intended to have a five-year “useful life,” a number of components and parts routinely fail before that. These include casters, tires, bearings and more for manual chairs and electronics, batteries and motors for power chairs. 
• The more complex the mobility equipment, the higher the probability of a high-risk chair failure, often affecting CRT users with the most severe diagnoses and need for mobility solutions. 
• When a chair failure results in immediate consequences—being stranded, missing work or appointments—CRT users face a higher likelihood of developing pressure sores or being hospitalized. 

Learn more about the research that supports the value of preventive maintenance in ensuring CRT users can enjoy the highest levels of mobility and independence possible. 

Educate Yourself: Tennessee was the first state to enact legislation requiring its state Medicaid program to cover annual preventive maintenance for CRT equipment but legislation is under discussion or consideration in several states. Tennessee’s legislation, which took effect in July 2024, requires qualified technicians to perform all preventive maintenance services under manufacturer guidelines. Learn if legislation is being considered in your state. 

Did You Know You Can Make a Difference? 

As a CRT user, your experience can help legislators and health insurance carriers understand the value of coverage for preventive maintenance. You can help by: 

Research What’s Happening in Your State: Follow advocacy organizations like NCART, iNRRTS, AAHomecare and other advocates to stay up-to-date about ongoing efforts and learn what is happening in your state. 

Share Your Story: Lawmakers and health insurance providers may not fully understand the positive impact preventive maintenance could have on your daily life. By sharing your story and real examples of how equipment failures have impacted your life, work and health, you can help them understand the benefits covering preventive maintenance would provide. Find your elected officials. 

Make Your Voice Heard: In many ways, private healthcare insurance providers follow the example of Medicare and Medicaid. Call the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) directly at 1-800-633-4227 to urge coverage of preventive maintenance. 

The post Did You Know: Preventive Maintenance appeared first on NSM — National Seating & Mobility.

Twenty-five years ago, NSM client Jerry Donovan made a promise—and he’s spent every day since keeping it.

Back then, Donovan worked for Boston Gas, fixing gas leaks throughout the city. In 1999, while driving his truck, his blood sugar suddenly dropped, causing a serious accident. The crash left Donovan—a Type 1 diabetic—with a T-6 spinal cord injury.

“In the ER, a priest came in, and I was an altar boy, so I knew why he was there,” Donovan recalls. “He was coming to give me my last rites. I made a promise to God: If you keep me alive, I promise I’ll do some good stuff.” 

It’s a promise he’s been living out for the past quarter century, as Donovan says, “for people in my position, for people going through traumatic life changes, for people who recover and for the ones who don’t.”

“People need people,” he said. “We pick each other back up when all the cards are down.” 

From Struggle to Service

Donvan’s road to recovery wasn’t easy. 

He credits Molly Sebo, a career physical therapist and clinical specialist—now executive director of SCI Boston, a chapter of the United Spinal Association—for helping him find a way forward. 

“I was a big, strong guy and a hardworking father, and the accident set me back like you can only imagine,” Donovan said. “Molly really helped me get my act together. I was so weak in the beginning that I couldn’t even push my chair up a little ramp. Things felt like they’d never change, and, if they did, never for the better. It can be very easy to become jaded.”

At first, Donovan struggled to adjust to life as a paraplegic. “I wasted a year not really listening,” he admits. But as he grew stronger, he realized he wanted to help others facing similar challenges. So, he became a peer mentor with SCI Boston, serving at Boston’s Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. 

“I would go into someone’s room and show them someone in a wheelchair with a smile on his face,” Donovan says. “I would tell them the truth: that this is going to be a difficult process, but with love and support, you can do this. 

“It’s a full-time job, plus overtime, being paralyzed and you really have to work hard to be the best person you can be with your disability,” he says. “Disability defines your character.” 

Building Community Through Golf

In 2011, Donovan took his mission further by co-founding Golf for All, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that brings people of all abilities together on the golf course. Since then, Golf for All has organized numerous free golf clinics to help people with disabilities of all kinds enjoy the therapeutic and social benefits of golf. 

“Golf for All challenges people to get out and play nine holes with their families and friends,” Donovan says. “It really turns into a support group, and you end up having all these players out on the course who are just having fun.” 

A hockey player before his spinal cord injury, Donovan discovered adaptive golf while participating in an adaptive sports event at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Some of the skills he’d honed as a hockey player transferred right over to golf, and Donovan loved the sport from his first swing. 

“I only drive with one arm, and back when I first started playing golf, I was always trying to hit it harder,” he says. “But now I have a nice smooth stroke and it goes straight down the middle.” 

Expanding Access, Creating Joy

Donovan is committed to increasing access to the game of golf. In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), he helped acquire Paragolfers—adaptive devices that let wheelchair users stand and swing.

These specialized machines are available for rent at two Boston-area courses: Leo J. Martin Memorial Golf Course and Ponkapoag Golf Course.

“These machines are getting used,” Donovan says. “They’re not just for people who are paralyzed—they help people of all abilities get out on the course and have fun.”

One of Donovan’s favorite Golf for All programs is a driving range clinic for adults on the autism spectrum.

“I’ve found that adults with autism and kids with disabilities really enjoy being around others with similar abilities because no one picks on them,” he says. “We’re not playing nine holes, but they let everyone know they’ve been ‘playing golf.’ It’s about being together, outside, having fun. I love organizing and participating in it.”

Living Out His Promise

Today, Donovan continues to honor the vow he made in that ER more than two decades ago. 

“I’ve been helping people for 20 years now, and some of them have gotten better than me at golf,” he says with a laugh. “But you need that competitive fire. Keep working, keep trying to challenge yourself. Golf may not work for everyone, but find something you like to do and stay active.”  

The post A Promise Kept: Jerry Donovan’s Mission to Help Others Thrive appeared first on NSM — National Seating & Mobility.

Most private health insurance carriers and state Medicare or Medicaid programs do not cover transportation to wheelchair evaluation or repair appointments. Coverage that does exist varies widely by state and provider. If CRT appointments are covered under non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) provisions, health insurance carriers often set specific medical necessity requirements that CRT users must meet. In many cases, a healthcare provider must make the request for transportation and provide documentation that it is medically necessary. 

Educate Yourself: To learn more about what’s included or required in your state’s Medicaid program, please reach out to your state’s Department of Health and Human Services or comparable department. Find your state’s department here. If you’re covered by a private insurance carrier or Medicare, reach out to your insurance carrier for more information on what types of transportation may or may not be covered under your plan and the process for using those benefits to cover transportation to your CRT branch appointments.  

How Would Covering Transportation Help CRT Users? 

When it comes to CRT equipment, there’s no “one size fits all.” Each mobility device is highly customized to meet each individual user’s specific needs. A customized manual or power wheelchair can consist of a variety of individual components—all of which require frequent adjustments and repairs since CRT equipment is used on a daily basis. Because of this level of customization, many repairs need to be made by certified technicians. If CRT users can’t travel to their wheelchair provider for an appointment, the technician will come to them. 

Data tells us that 85% of repairs are completed in the home, and in-home repairs are always an option, especially for CRT users who are unable to travel due to their condition or other factors. But if you choose an in-branch appointment, there are benefits including:  

• In-branch repairs give technicians access to more parts than can be stocked on a van as well as specialized equipment/tools and the space needed to complete complicated repairs. 
• If an additional repair or maintenance need is discovered, the technician may be able to complete them without scheduling a follow-up appointment. 
• Technicians can see more CRT users in a day and serve them more quickly. 

If Medicaid, Medicare and private health insurance carriers covered wheelchair evaluation and repair appointments under their NEMT provisions, more CRT users would have access to their local branches for CRT-related appointments, protecting their health, preserving their independence and helping to keep their wheelchairs in optimal working condition.

Did You Know You Can Make a Difference? 

As a CRT user, your experience can help legislators and health insurance carriers see the need for change. Here’s how you can help: 

Pay It Forward: If you are able to travel to a local branch for a repair appointment, please consider doing so. This often results in a quicker repair timeline for you and allows technicians to prioritize CRT users who cannot travel due to diagnosis, condition or other factors with in-home appointments, ensuring everyone gets the help they need as quickly as possible. 

Share Your Story: Reach out to your state’s health and human services department and elected officials at both the state and federal level and explain how accessible transportation policies affect you. Find your elected officials. 

Make Your Voice Heard: Contact your health insurance carrier or Medicaid advisory groups. Call the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) directly at 1-800-633-4227. 

The post Did You Know: Transportation Coverage appeared first on NSM — National Seating & Mobility.

Prior authorization is basically asking your health insurance carrier for permission before ordering the parts to complete a repair on CRT equipment that has previously been approved as medically necessary. The process involves submitting several documents and a variety of information to your insurance provider for approval. These often include: 

• A prescription,
• A repair evaluation; 
• An equipment or repair estimate, and 
• A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN). 

Educate Yourself: Prior authorization requirements can differ depending on the health insurance carrier. Learn about your insurance carrier’s requirements and who is responsible for each step in the process so you know who to reach out to if documentation is missing or delayed. Also note, if you change health insurance carriers at any time during the repair process, you will have to start the process over with your new health insurance carrier as they likely have different prior authorization requirements.

How Would Changing the Prior Authorization Process Help CRT Users? 

Prior authorization creates bottlenecks in the process, delaying CRT users from getting the repair they need to achieve the level of independence and mobility they desire. Reforms to the prior authorization process and requirements would shorten the repair timeline and help CRT users keep moving, allowing them to enjoy daily activities and avoid additional health problems such as respiratory issues or pressure injuries that can develop from not having regular use of their customized mobility equipment.

A few ways prior authorization can slow down the process of making timely repairs include: 

• The authorization process is lengthy, often requiring several types of documentation to be completed by different members of the CRT user’s care team, including physicians, therapists and Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs). Waiting for approvals from your health insurance carrier often makes up for nearly half of the repair timeline, adding one to four weeks to the process. 
• Authorization is required before ordering equipment or parts needed for a repair. It takes time to order, repair and deliver CRT equipment, and CRT providers cannot start the process until the health insurance carrier has approved. 
• If prior authorization is denied, you must appeal the decision, which often means submitting or resubmitting additional documentation and waiting for the health insurance carrier’s decision. 
• Even if your chair was previously approved and determined medically necessary, your health plan may require you to submit a prescription or Letter of Medical Necessity for most repairs—even replacing a battery. Learn more.

What Are Some Potential Solutions to Improve the Repair Timeline Process Related to Prior Authorization?

Reforms to prior authorization are needed to improve the CRT experience for users and their caregivers. These include: 

• Removing requirements for a prescription and a statement of medical necessity for repairs to equipment that has already been approved as medically necessary.
• Removing prior authorization or establishing a threshold up to $1,500 for minor repairs or frequently replaced parts to reduce unnecessary wait times and keep CRT users moving.  

Did You Know You Can Make a Difference? 

As a CRT user, your experience can help legislators and insurance carriers see the need for change. Legislation that seeks to remove or limit prior authorization is currently being considered in several states. You can help by: 

Research What’s Happening in Your State: Follow advocacy organizations like NCART, iNRRTS, AAHomecare and other advocates to stay up-to-date about ongoing efforts and learn what is happening in your state. If legislation is under consideration in your state, research and seek to understand how it would change the prior authorization process for you and your health insurance carrier. 

Share Your Story: Reach out to your insurance carrier and elected officials at both the state and federal level and explain how changes to prior authorization requirements would improve your daily life. Find your elected officials. 

Make Your Voice Heard: In many ways, private health insurance plans follow the example of Medicare and Medicaid. Call the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) directly at 1-800-633-4227 to changes to prior authorization requirements. 

The post Did You Know: Prior Authorization appeared first on NSM — National Seating & Mobility.

When your complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) equipment breaks down, getting it repaired as quickly as possible is critical. Your chair is what keeps you moving through life. 

But CRT repairs take time. Many factors influence the repair timeline—from insurance documentation requirements to the review and approval process—and a lot of them are outside of the CRT user’s control. Even so, there are some proactive steps you can take to help keep the repair process moving as quickly as possible.

How Can You Help Speed Up the Repair Process?

Tip 1: Report the problem BEFORE it becomes catastrophic. 

Joystick not working properly? Notice a problem with your tire, footrest or battery? Report the issue to your CRT provider as soon as possible so that a small problem doesn’t become a full breakdown. Your wheelchair provider will set up an evaluation to determine what’s causing the problem. In some cases, a technician may be able to perform a remote evaluation, but if that is unsuccessful, you may need to schedule an in-branch or in-home evaluation appointment. 

Tip 2: Understand insurance requirements and approval times. 

Data tells us that almost 45% of the repair process is spent collecting documentation and waiting for insurance approvals, making this one of the most time-intensive parts of the process. Before parts can be ordered or repairs begin, most insurance carriers require prior authorization, which usually includes a repair evaluation and estimate as well as documentation of medical necessity and other requirements. 

You can help the process along by: 

• Understanding what documentation your insurance carrier requires. Learn more about common documentation requirements and seek to understand who is responsible for each, so you know who to contact if something is missing and can help urge them to quickly provide the required documents.  
• Reach out to your insurance carrier during the process to ensure the required documents have been received. 
• As the policyholder, request an expedited review of your documents, stressing that it is important that a decision be made quickly. 
• Keep copies of all the documentation you, your physician, or wheelchair provider have submitted to your insurance carrier and record when those documents were submitted.

Tip 3: Describe the problem as clearly as possible. 

When you reach out to your CRT provider for a repair evaluation appointment, strive to explain the issue as clearly as you can. State what part or parts are affected, what is or isn’t working, when the issue started, and if it’s gotten worse over time. 

Other advice: 

• Want your technician to see what you’re dealing with? Take a quick video when the issue occurs so that you can show them the problem and how it’s affecting your daily life. 
• Take photos of any damage or wear and tear that may help the technician diagnose what’s wrong with your CRT equipment.

Tip 4: Keep a maintenance log. 

Your CRT equipment needs to be in top working order to ensure you can achieve the highest level of mobility and independence you desire. Keep track of repairs and previous problems so you’re well informed about what’s been tried before and what hasn’t. Your records can help add additional information and details to those your technician and wheelchair provider have on file, helping them make an informed diagnosis as quickly as possible. 

Tip 5: Stay informed about your order. 

Seek to keep track of your order as it moves throughout the process. Many CRT providers, NSM included, offer online order tracking that helps you stay informed. If you are an NSM client, you’ll simply need to submit your first and last name and order ID at mynsmorder.com to track your order. If you don’t have your order ID, please email NSM’s customer care team at info@nsm-seating.com to retrieve that information. 

Keep in mind that CRT equipment is comprised of thousands of parts. While CRT suppliers keep a large supply of parts, they can’t feasibly stock every part that might need to be repaired. If a part needs to be ordered, it can add a little time to the process. By staying in touch and asking for updates, you help ensure the lines of communication stay open throughout the process. 

Take Action

Most insurance carriers require prior authorization for many (and sometimes, all) repairs. Often, this includes submitting a prescription and/or statement of medical necessity to prove you need the mobility equipment, even when the equipment was previously approved. 

Educate Yourself: Seek to understand your health plan’s prior authorization requirements and note how the prior authorization process slows down a needed repair. NSM completes more than 100,000 repairs each year and receives payer approval for more than 93% of them, meaning that prior authorization may not be necessary on most repairs. If prior authorization were removed for repairs under $1,500, it could help speed up the process by one to four weeks.

Connect with Advocacy Partners: Legislation is already under consideration in some states to remove prior authorization for some repairs, or if the mobility equipment has previously been approved by an insurance carrier as medically necessary. Connect with advocacy organizations like NCART, iNRRTS, AAHomecare, and other advocates to stay up-to-date about ongoing efforts and learn what is happening in your state.

Share Your Story: If legislation concerning the elimination of prior authorization is being considered in your state, reach out to your elected officials and share how this change would improve your daily life. 

The post Five Tips to Help Speed Up the Repair Process appeared first on NSM — National Seating & Mobility.

When your wheelchair breaks down, you just want to get it fixed as quickly as possible. A repair evaluation with your wheelchair provider at the local branch is often the fastest way to get the repair started, but getting there can be an issue. 

Since transportation to and from CRT-related appointments is not currently covered by most insurance providers, here are a few options to consider. Options may differ by location.

Paratransit

Paratransit services are designed specifically for people who cannot use regular public transit systems, such as individuals with disabilities or senior adults. Generally, paratransit offers door-to-door service, flexible routes and scheduling with accessible vehicles designed to accommodate mobility devices. Examples include Access-A-Ride in New York City or MetroAccess in Washington, D.C. Research your local transit system to see what paratransit options may be available in your area. You may need to meet specific criteria to qualify, and reservations may be required.

Transportation Voucher Programs

These programs offer vouchers or credits that can be used to pay for rides that cover public transit, rideshare services, taxis, paratransit or other transportation options. Programs may have eligibility requirements (sometimes based on income, disability, geographic location or other factors), and voucher programs may focus on different needs, such as medical transport, employment-related travel or general mobility. Examples include RideLink in San Diego County, California, or Dial-A-Ride, which is offered in various locations.

Wheelchair-Accessible Rideshares or Taxis

In larger cities, accessible taxis might be an option to get back and forth from your local wheelchair provider for an appointment. Some rideshare services provide wheelchair-accessible vehicle options, but be aware that these services may need to be scheduled in advance.

Local Nonprofits or Charities

In some locations, nonprofits, senior centers or disability organizations provide accessible transportation for medical appointments. Churches and other faith-based organizations may also be an option in your area.

Pay It Forward: If you can travel to your wheelchair provider’s local branch for an appointment, do so. This can not only facilitate the repair process for your chair, but will help technicians who travel to in-home appointments prioritize CRT users who cannot travel, ensuring everyone gets the help they need as quickly as possible.

Remote Evaluations: First Step in the Repair Process

More and more often, the first step in the repair process is setting up a remote evaluation with a technician to determine what might be wrong. Sometimes, the problem can be determined remotely, and, if not, the remote evaluation allows the technician to better prepare for an in-person evaluation. If you’re client of NSM, contact your local branch to learn more.

ADVOCACY ALERT

If more insurance providers covered transportation for CRT-related appointments, it would help keep more CRT users moving through life with the mobility solutions they need for greater independence and healthier lives. Here’s how you can help:

Educate Yourself: To learn more about what’s included or required by your state’s Medicaid program, please reach out to your state’s Department of Health and Human Services or comparable department. Find your state’s department here. If you’re covered by a private insurance provider or Medicare, reach out to your provider for more information on what types of transportation may or may not be covered under your plan.  

Share Your Story: Reach out to your state’s health and human services department and elected officials at both the state and federal level and explain how their accessible transportation policies affect you. Find your elected officials. 

Make Your Voice Heard: Contact your insurance provider or Medicaid advisory groups to reinforce the importance of accessible transportation for CRT services. Call the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) directly at 1-800-633-4227. 

Engage with advocacy groups and advisory boards. Advocacy organizations such as the National Organization for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART), the ITEM Coalition and nonprofits or advocacy groups around specific diagnoses, like the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) or United Spinal Association, can all be helpful in guiding you as you advocate for change.

The post What Are Your Transportation Options for Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT)-Related Appointments? appeared first on NSM — National Seating & Mobility.

Gearing up for your first evaluation for mobility equipment or want to make the most of your next appointment with your Assistive Technology Professional (ATP)? Consider these tips to help you prepare

Be Ready to Communicate Your Mobility Goals 

As the Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) user, you need to be able to tell the story of what you want to accomplish — and that includes your personal and professional goals as well as how you like to spend your free time. If there’s something you want to be able to do or a particular mobility need you have, be prepared to talk to your ATP about that desire and why it’s important to you. The more clearly you or your caregiver can communicate that need or goal, the better. 

Be Able to Explain What’s Not Working

If something isn’t working quite right with your mobility equipment—from a faulty joystick or failing battery to a hard-to-maneuver manual chair—be prepared to communicate the problem in detail to your ATP. If you cannot communicate it yourself or don’t feel comfortable sharing about your personal circumstances, ask a caregiver or friend to accompany you and help you communicate your needs and desires. 

Review Your Insurance Coverage and Advocate for Yourself

As the insurance policy holder, you need to know and understand what your insurance provider covers and what it doesn’t as well as any documentation requirements they may have. By understanding what documentation is required to prove medical necessity or move the order forward, you can proactively advocate for yourself with your physician and therapy teams to help us obtain the necessary documents and forms. Once documentation has been submitted to your insurance provider, you can contact your provider to expedite your authorization. And—whether it’s your first evaluation or your 100th—be sure to bring your insurance card and other important information to the appointment. 

Do Your Research

Prior to your appointment or evaluation, take a look at the manufacturer’s website to learn more about what’s currently available and might fit your needs. While you may ultimately end up with a different mobility solution, having a solution in mind can help the ATP better understand what you want or need. Come to the appointment prepared to try out a new seating system or piece of equipment or to be assessed while operating the equipment or driving the chair. 

Ask Questions

Make a list of questions you want answered or information you need to understand during the appointment and go over it with your ATP. Ask to be educated on how your equipment works and what you can do to help maintain it and for documentation that supports these efforts. 

Seek to Understand the Process

Whether you’re ordering new equipment or getting a repair, understanding the nuances of the process can be helpful. Ask your ATP to explain the timeline or provide documentation that helps you better understand next steps. While you don’t need to be an expert on every detail, being familiar with the process can be helpful. 

Have more questions about NSM and mobility solutions? Check out these FAQs. 

The post How to Prepare for Your Mobility Equipment Assessment appeared first on NSM — National Seating & Mobility.

In the Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) industry, assistive technology professionals (ATPs) play a crucial role in ensuring CRT users achieve their desired level of independence. As the experts on mobility equipment, ATPs work collaboratively with CRT users, their families, caregivers, physicians and therapists to recommend mobility equipment that fits the user’s physical needs and mobility goals. As consultants, ATPs must also stay up-to-date on new and emerging technologies in the ever-evolving industry, allowing them to offer CRT users the most advanced and effective mobility solutions. 

ATPs clearly have an important job. Their knowledge of available mobility solutions and technologies, expertise, experience and compassion are valuable tools that help CRT users keep moving through life. Understanding the significance of this vital industry role, National Seating & Mobility is committed to finding concrete, creative ways to invest in today’s ATPs while also shaping the next generation. We talked to Jason Miele, NSM Vice President of Learning and Development, to learn more about how NSM is working to develop ATPs. 

What is an ATP and what do they do? 

ATPs are mobility, seating and position experts. They are part of a CRT users’ care team and provide recommendations, consultation and education to the CRT user and their medical team to find mobility equipment that best fits their medical, functional and overall health needs. ATPs don’t drive the process of obtaining mobility equipment; they serve as consultants, partnering with medical providers to identify the best possible mobility solution for each CRT user’s needs and goals. 

What types of certifications or training do ATPs need? 

The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) governs professional standards of practice and ethics for ATPs to ensure consumers receive the highest quality of care and service provision. To become an ATP, you must meet specific educational requirements outlined by RESNA, have experience in the CRT and assistive technology space and complete continuing education requirements. To be credentialed as an ATP through RESNA, you have to complete an exam that measures your understanding of the foundational standards of practice. After that, ATPs must renew their credentials every two years and provide evidence of continuing education hours. 

How is NSM working to develop the next generation of ATPs? 

At NSM, we’ve developed several initiatives to invest in the next generation of ATPs. These include: 

• Career Pathways: NSM provides structured career development opportunities for internal associates interested in becoming ATPs, allowing employees to progress within the company.
• Technician-to-ATP Development: We have established a proven methodology for training technicians and supporting their journey to RESNA credentialing.
• Industry Partnerships: Collaborations with RESNA and NRRTS help us shape training programs and industry standards for future ATPs.
• Clinical ATP Program: This initiative targets credentialed Occupational, Physical, and Speech-Language Pathologists who are interested in transitioning into CRT. The program provides specialized training to develop the necessary skills and prepare them for the RESNA exam.

Why are these types of investments important? How do they help CRT users? 

Only a finite number of academic institutions and professional organizations currently produce and develop ATPs. Knowing this, the CRT industry must continue to invest in and develop highly trained ATPs, especially as current ATPs retire or transition to adjacent industries. At NSM, we believe that ATPs are the “center of gravity” in our work in communities across the United States. We’re committed to providing positive clinical outcomes and serving our clients long-term, so we continue to invest in ATP development and sustainment.

Preparing for your first appointment with an ATP or an upcoming evaluation? Here’s what you need to know.

The post Shaping the Next Generation of ATPs appeared first on NSM — National Seating & Mobility.

Most of the time, catastrophic equipment failures don’t just happen. There are usually signs your CRT equipment needs attention and recognizing them means you can get the appropriate service needed before significant damage is done. Let’s consider a few of the top signs your CRT equipment might be ready for a tune-up. 

1. It hasn’t been serviced in a while.

If it’s been more than a year since you had your CRT equipment evaluated, there’s a good chance it needs some attention. The level of wear and tear depends on your lifestyle, but daily use can result in loose bolts, casters that need to be cleaned and other adjustments that need to be made to your wheelchair on a regular basis.

2. Your chair is suddenly hard to maneuver.

Whether you use a manual or power chair, if it suddenly becomes difficult to push or maneuver, it’s time to set up an appointment with your equipment supplier to have it checked out. Resistance, stiffness or jerky motions in power or manual wheelchairs can all suggest issues that need to be taken care of sooner rather than later.

3. Your chair starts making a new or unusual noise.

Noticing a squeak, rattle, grinding, or clicking noise? These sounds could indicate loose components, dirty casters, or worn-out parts that need repair. A registered technician can diagnose the problem and recommend needed maintenance to keep your chair in working order.

4. Your chair’s battery isn’t holding its charge as long.

If you use a power chair and start to notice decreased battery life, it’s time for an evaluation. Over time, batteries lose their ability to hold a full charge, so this could indicate normal wear and tear, but could also point to a faulty charger, inadequate charging habits, electrical issues or other factors that affect battery life. Talking with a technician about your lifestyle and needs can help highlight specific causes and allows the technician to test the battery and electrical system to ensure everything works properly.

5. You notice visible wear and tear or feel extreme discomfort.

Because you use your CRT equipment on a daily basis, wear and tear is normal, but you need to keep an eye out for worn or deflated tires, dirty or worn casters or any changes to your equipment that cause discomfort or instability. If you notice loose bolts, squeaky wheels, or worn-out casters, contact your CRT provider and they can evaluate your chair to determine if anything needs to be replaced or repaired.

You’re the first to notice changes in your CRT equipment. If you detect any of these issues, set up an appointment with your wheelchair provider.

If you already work with National Seating & Mobility (NSM) or are looking for a new CRT provider, contact your local NSM branch to set up an appointment to evaluate your equipment. In some cases, a remote evaluation may be possible to help diagnose the problem. 

Click here to schedule an appointment with your local NSM Branch!

Take Action

Contact lawmakers to discuss the importance of preventive maintenance for CRT users. Simply share your story! 

Looking for a few small maintenance tasks you can perform to help extend the life of your chair? Read this article. 

While research has shown that preventive maintenance can play a vital role in preventing catastrophic failures, most insurance providers do not currently cover it. NSM and other industry advocates are supporting research and proposing legislation to make the case for preventive maintenance coverage, and several states are considering legislation that would provide coverage for preventive maintenance.

Follow advocacy organizations like NCART, iNRRTS, AAHomecare and other advocates to stay up-to-date about ongoing efforts and learn what is happening in your state.

The post 5 Signs Your Complex Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) Equipment Might Need a Tune Up appeared first on NSM — National Seating & Mobility.

Depending on what climate you live in, late fall to early spring can be the perfect time to squeeze in a camping trip, and the Riley family had plenty of advice to offer. Shane and Ainslee Riley live in Maine with their two teenage sons, Liam and Evan, and the Rileys are avid travelers and enjoy camping. 

Both boys use complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) equipment for mobility, so the Rileys shared plenty of accessible travel and camping tips to help you prepare for your next trip. 

When planning a trip, what are some of the questions you ask or decisions you make beforehand? 

You need to determine what you will travel in that meets your needs. Will your accessible vehicle, if you have one, meet the needs for a long road trip? Will you rent an accessible vehicle or RV? If you plan to stay overnight on your way to your destination, are there accessible hotels or campsites en route? 

Also, be sure to research the accessibility at the campsite you plan to rent at your final destination and its proximity to an accessible restroom. Often non-accessible restrooms at campgrounds are very tricky to get into without a lot of heavy lifting and maneuvering, which also creates a lack of privacy. What is your ability to lift? If you can’t lift very much, you may need to travel with a portable lift to make these transitions easier. 

If you’re driving to your campsite, are there benefits to mapping out your route in advance?

We find it helpful to map our route and determine where to stay in advance. That gives us the opportunity to ensure we get an accessible room or campsite with appropriate restroom facilities for our needs. We also research the area for accessible activities and figure out how to make activities that aren’t easily accessible doable for us. 

For wheelchair users and their families and friends, what advice can you offer about selecting a campsite? 

Select an accessible campsite, but also research to ensure that the area where you will put your tent is flat and you can drive a power wheelchair up to it. Having a lightweight transport chair for getting in and out of the tent—and sometimes into the shower areas—is helpful. Our sons sleep more comfortably on a cot with a sleeping pad rather than on the ground, and that also makes it easier for us to pick them up. Again, depending on your ability to lift, you may want to bring a slide board or lift with you. We also have a tent we can stand up in, which makes transfers, helping with dressing and other tasks a little easier. 

If you use a power wheelchair, you’ll want to think about how you’ll charge the battery. If there’s no power at your site, you will need a portable charger or generator of some sort. If you use your vehicle to charge a power wheelchair battery, you risk killing your car battery. 

When planning activities—the things you’ll do and see on your trip—what are some things wheelchair users and their caregivers should consider? 

Research thoroughly. Online information can be misleading, so call ahead to confirm details. Ask about ramp access, transitions and any barriers. For example, some places may consider a 6-inch step “accessible” when it’s not for many CRT users. Specific questions can make or break your plans—especially in areas with variable terrain, like islands with gravel paths.

A National Parks Access Pass can be very helpful too, granting free entry for disabled individuals and up to three guests at all National Parks. We’ve taken our boys to accessible viewing trails in places like Arches National Park and Washington D.C., which has excellent accessibility.

Traveling with your sons, who both use wheelchairs, takes a lot of planning. Why would you encourage other CRT users and their friends or families to travel? 

Why not? It does require some additional advanced planning and research, but it’s worth it. There may be a learning curve at first—and you’ll discover things you wish you’d packed or questions you should have asked—but you’ll know for the next time. You might face unexpected challenges and have to get creative with your solutions, but as long as you’re together and having fun, it makes for great memories. 

You sometimes travel with one or both of your sons’ service dogs. Any advice for CRT users who might be traveling with a service animal? 

Once you know where you’re going, contact your vet to make sure there aren’t additional precautions you need to take or vaccinations your service dog might need. For example, in Georgia, dogs aren’t required to have a vaccination for Lyme’s disease, but in Maine they are. 

Any last pieces of advice for fellow travelers or campers? 

A disability doesn’t have to stop you from traveling. Just this year, one or both of us have traveled with our sons to Puerto Rico, Hurricane Island and Monhegan Island for school trips, taken a cross-country road trip, camped in Colorado and Utah with the Trekkers, and, most recently, gone to Hawaii for a Make-A-Wish trip. We traveled to Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, throughout New England, New Jersey, New York, Florida and more. We love to travel! 

Looking for ramps, lifts or other accessibility products that might enhance your travel plans? Reach out to your local National Seating & Mobility branch to learn more about your options.

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