Assistive technology, equipment and home modifications

Home modifications allow you to modify or adapt your home to suit your needs, so that you can live independently or move more easily and safely around your home.

Assistive technology can enable increased independence to go about your daily tasks and be involved in your community and workplace.

Some examples include:

• Communications aids such as video conferencing, communication software and apps, voice activated controls, voice amplifiers, touch activation (such as one touch dialling)
• Timers, alarms/alerts (doors, medication alerts)
• Grasp or hand rails
• Improved access, such as widening of doorways, ramps or modified steps
• Kitchen and bathroom modifications, such as levers, taps, door handles, adaptive crockery and cutlery, height-adjusted benches, sinks, switches, appliance controls, etc.
• Driving control modifications

Things to consider

If you require modifications or assistive technology aids you may wish to seek advice from a professional such as an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists apply their specific knowledge to enable you to engage in activities of daily living that have personal meaning and value. They can also assist you to develop, improve, sustain, or restore independence. Occupational therapists meet with you in your home, work out what you require and write a report making recommendations.

The pathway to organising an assessment will be different depending on individual circumstances.

If you live in a Housing ACT property

If you feel that you need modifications installed in or throughout your property, please contact your housing manager directly. Your housing manager can discuss your request with Housing ACT’s Maintenance Team, and then depending on the request, may make a recommendation that an occupational therapist assess your situation, and report it to Housing ACT.

Once the report has been received, if the recommendations include making disability modifications, the Maintenance Team will ensure a request is lodged with Housing ACT’s maintenance provider. The time frames may vary depending on the work that is required. (See this Factsheet on the Housing ACT Occupational Therapy Service)   

Further information

Assistive Technology and Home Modifications information on the NDIS website

Find a Registered NDIS Provider

ACT Health Services and Programs

Equipment trials and assessments with Occupational Therapists and suppliers are available by appointment at the Village Creek Centre in Kambah and other locations.

The Child Development Service includes the Children and Young People equipment loan scheme

Independent Living Centres Australia (Independent Living Centres Advisory Service: 1300 885 886 - This website also has an equipment database of over 6,000 items.) 

Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA)

Technology for the Aged and Disability ACT (TADACT) is a local not-for-profit organisation that custom modifies equipment to assist people with a disability

Occupational Therapy Australia 

Home Modifications Australia - Information for Consumers

Assistive Technology Suppliers Australia (ATSA) held an Independent Living Expo in Canberra in 2019.