Individuals with chronic medical conditions and long-term disabilities who have a permanent need for a wheelchair require a comprehensive, detailed evaluation of their physical, functional and environmental needs to allow clinicians and ATP suppliers to make appropriate Assistive Technology recommendations for a successful outcome.
This course will examine the feasibility in which one utilizing a customized/complex mobility and seating system allows the end user to return to work or leisure activity by being able to transport their prescribed equipment. Within the wheelchair service delivery model, there is a key step in our duty to educate properly on equipment maintenance and use as to prepare our end users for management of their mobility device throughout the lifetime of the equipment. Many times specific attention is paid to education and wheelchair management within the home as dictated by funding sources but we know that consumers utilize their complex rehab equipment to interact with a variety of environments for performance of various tasks and to participate in those essential tasks they must be able to properly and safely transport their customized equipment.
As we serve to promote functional independence to those with complex seating and mobility needs it is important to help educate clinicians, ATPs, providers, and consumers on key considerations for how customized mobility equipment will be transported. This helps to ensure the safety of consumer along with the promotion of autonomy to our end users.
Saturday, August 2, 2025
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
NRG Center, Hall E
Room 108
One NRG Park
Houston, TX 77054Credits: 0.1 CEU / 1.0CEC / 1hr
Level: Beginner / Review
Registration:
This complimentary course requires registration at Abilities Expo in addition to registration with Quantum Rehab. Space is limited and seats are reserved on a first come, first serve basis.
Prerequisites:
None.
Target Audience:
Licensed/Certified Medical Professional (i.e. PT, OT), Rehab Professional (ATP, SMS, CRTS), Reimbursement & Billing Specialists
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of the course the participant will be able to:
- Describe the significance of 3 transportation challenges specific to consumers who utilize a wheelchair as a primary means of mobility.
- Describe 2 transportation securement policies and procedures related to medical device management including power mobility devices within public transportation systems.
- Identify 2 personal transportation options that allow for transporting power wheelchairs.
Agenda:
- Review of literature describing end user experience with transportation barriers from complex rehabilitation equipment (power/manual wheelchairs)
- Review of transportation safety with use of tie downs, WC18-20, school bus, and public transit systems
- Case review and first-hand experience on transportation for power mobility devices-review of how clients participate as passengers or return to driving from a mobility device-review of options for personal transport consideration (vehicles, hitches, etc.)
- Closing discussion on proper education measures and resources for clients to be appropriately educated as to not have this as a limitation to return to daily routines
Intermediate Instructional Methods:
- Lecture
- Discussion
AOTA Classification Code:
OT Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge
ADA:
If you require ADA accommodations, please contact the Education Department ([email protected]).
Course Instructor: Alex Chesney, OTR, ATP/SMS
Senior Clinical Education Manager, Quantum Rehab
Alex Chesney is the clinical sales manager of the Midwest South Region for Quantum Rehab. She provides educational services as an occupational therapist, assistive technology professional and seating and mobility specialist.
Alex graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies and a minor in psychology in 2011. She earned her master’s in occupational therapy from Texas Woman’s University in 2013. Alex practiced occupational therapy in a top neurological inpatient rehabilitation center in Houston, TX treating those with traumatic spinal cord injuries and various neurodegenerative diseases.
As a clinician, Alex prescribed advanced seating and mobility technologies and served as a primary education resource for best practices within neurological rehabilitation. Alex previously served as a committee chair for the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals and continues involvement as a committee member. She is the Vice President and occupational therapy coordinator for Rehabilitation Services Volunteer Project, providing free neurological therapy services to those underserved in the Texas area.
