Assistive technology can play a powerful role in helping people maintain independence, safety, and participation in everyday life. But the impact of assistive technology doesn’t come from the equipment alone. It comes from how well the technology is integrated into a person’s daily routines. From specialised seating and mobility aids to environmental adaptations and daily living equipment, the right solution can make a significant difference to how someone functions at home.
Prescribing assistive technology is not the end of the clinical process. In best-practice occupational therapy, equipment provision should include training, review, and follow-up to ensure the technology is being used correctly, safely, and in ways that support the person’s functional goals.
Follow-up is a key part of the assistive technology prescription process and helps ensure the equipment is delivering the intended outcomes.
The Role of Occupational Therapy In Assistive Technology Outcomes
Occupational therapists play a central role in ensuring assistive technology is successfully integrated into everyday life.
Through clinical assessment, personalised prescription, training, and follow-up, therapists help ensure equipment is not just delivered, but truly enabling participation in meaningful activities.
When this process is followed, assistive technology has the potential to significantly improve independence, safety, and quality of life.
For clinicians prescribing assistive technology, incorporating follow-up reviews can make the difference between equipment that is simply delivered and equipment that genuinely supports participation in daily life.
And that is the outcome every occupational therapist is working towards.
Assistive Technology Needs to Work In Real Life
Occupational therapists typically prescribe assistive technology to support a specific goal or activity, such as cooking, working at a desk, or completing self-care tasks.
However, once equipment enters the home environment, people often begin using it in many different ways as it becomes integrated into their daily routines.
Research examining the real-world use of VELA Activity Chairs found that 87% of users reported using their chair every day, demonstrating how central the equipment became in supporting daily activities.
It also found 75% of participants used the chair for activities beyond its originally intended purpose.
This reflects something occupational therapists frequently observe in practice: assistive technology often becomes part of many aspects of daily life once a person discovers how it supports their routines and independence.
Because of this, follow-up reviews play an important role in ensuring the equipment continues to work effectively across a range of tasks and environments. These reviews also provide an opportunity to answer questions that often arise once the equipment becomes part of everyday life.
Assistive Technology Only Works if It's Used
One of the well-documented challenges in assistive technology provision is that devices are sometimes underused or abandoned altogether.
There are many reasons this can occur, including discomfort, difficulty operating the equipment, or the technology not fitting well within the person’s routines or environment.
Follow-up reviews allow occupational therapists to understand whether equipment is actually being used and whether it is supporting the person’s goals. They also provide an opportunity to identify barriers early and make adjustments that improve usability and engagement.
Small Adjustments Can Make a Big Difference
Many types of assistive technology include adjustable features designed to optimise safety, comfort, and function. These might include:
- Seat height and positioning
- Braking systems
- Arm supports
- Mobility or movement features
Even small adjustments to these settings can significantly influence how well the device works for the user.
Follow-up reviews allow occupational therapists to check that equipment is configured correctly, ensure the person understands how to use the features available, and make adjustments where necessary.
These small refinements can have a meaningful impact on comfort, safety, and long-term use.
Supporting Best-Practice Follow-Up
At our core, we see assistive technology provision as a collaborative clinical process. We strongly encourage all prescribing Occupational Therapists to include follow-up as a standard part of care after equipment is delivered. This ensures the technology is correctly set up, confidently used, and continues to support the person’s evolving needs and goals. While we are always happy to work alongside treating clinicians during this process to provide guidance on product features and adjustments, follow-up is most effective when led by the treating clinician who understands the individual’s functional needs and environment.