About Astris PME

Astris PME at a Glance

What Does Astris PME Do?

Astris PME helps people explore, trial and configure Assistive Technology around their individual needs.

A significant part of Astris PME's work involves scripted and configurable Assistive Technology. Equipment may need to be selected, adjusted or customised according to a person's physical needs, functional goals, environment, lifestyle and clinical requirements.

For complex Assistive Technology, the process may involve collaboration between the equipment user, their family or carers, their prescribing therapist and an Astris PME Assistive Technology consultant.

Astris PME is therefore more than a wheelchair or mobility equipment retailer. Its service can extend from initial product exploration and equipment trials through to configuration, delivery, education, servicing, repairs and ongoing equipment support.

Assistive Technology, Made for Me

Made for Me describes Astris PME's people-first approach to Assistive Technology.

No two people have exactly the same body, goals, abilities, environment, lifestyle or support requirements. For this reason, Assistive Technology should not be treated as a generic product selection.

The starting point is the person.

Astris PME considers how equipment may work within the individual's everyday life before determining which solutions should be explored.

• What the person wants to achieve
• How and where equipment will be used
• Mobility and positioning requirements
• Comfort and pressure management
• Functional abilities
• Home, school, workplace and community environments
• Transport requirements
• Carer or support-team needs
• Growth and changing requirements
• Participation in everyday activities

The aim is to identify and configure Assistive Technology around the person using it rather than expecting the person to adapt to unsuitable or generic equipment.

Assistive Technology Available Through Astris PME

Astris PME supplies equipment across a broad range of Assistive Technology categories for children and adults.

Assistive Technology Equipment Trials

Equipment trials are an important part of Astris PME's approach to Assistive Technology.

Astris PME provides free equipment trials for many products and circumstances, allowing equipment users, families and therapists to explore how a product performs before proceeding with a final configuration.

Trials may be arranged at:

• An Astris PME showroom
• The equipment user's home
• A school
• A hospital
• A rehabilitation facility
• A therapy clinic
• A workplace
• A community location
• Another environment relevant to the person's everyday use of the equipment

Where equipment requires clinical prescription, Astris PME encourages involvement from the person's registered prescribing therapist.

Working With Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists

Astris PME regularly works with occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other health professionals involved in Assistive Technology assessment and prescription.

Astris PME's Specialist Consultants can support the process by providing:

• Product knowledge
• Suitable equipment options
• Equipment demonstrations
• Equipment trials
• Configuration information
• Product specifications
• Quotations
• Technical information

For scripted Assistive Technology, collaboration may involve:

1. The equipment user
2. Their family or carers, where relevant
3. Their prescribing therapist
4. An Astris PME Assistive Technology consultant
5. Other members of the person's support team, where appropriate

Astris PME does not replace the role of a qualified health professional where clinical assessment or prescription is required.

NDIS Assistive Technology

Astris PME regularly works with people accessing Assistive Technology through Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Astris PME can assist equipment users and prescribing therapists with:

• Equipment trials
• Product exploration
• Equipment configuration
• Quotations
• Product specifications
• Technical information
• Supporting product information for funding submissions

The exact NDIS funding pathway can depend on the participant, Assistive Technology required, equipment cost, the participant's NDIS plan, evidence requirements and current NDIA rules and processes.

Astris PME can support the equipment trial, selection, configuration and quotation process but does not determine whether NDIS funding will be approved.

Assistive Technology for Children and Adults

Astris PME supports people across a wide range of ages, including:

• Young children
• School-aged children
• Teenagers
• Young adults
• Adults
• Older adults

Astris PME is not exclusively a paediatric equipment provider or an adult mobility provider. Its Assistive Technology range covers products and solutions for both children and adults.

Assistive Technology Servicing and Repairs

Astris PME provides servicing, maintenance and repair support for a wide range of Assistive Technology.

• Power wheelchairs
• Manual wheelchairs
• Wheelchair seating
• Cushions and positioning equipment
• Standers
• Walkers and gait trainers
• Hygiene equipment
• Lifting and transfer equipment
• Beds and positioning equipment
• Other specialised Assistive Technology

Equipment does not necessarily need to have been originally purchased from Astris PME for a servicing or repair enquiry to be made.

Service availability depends on factors including equipment type, manufacturer, parts availability, location and the nature of the repair or service required.

Astris PME Locations Across Australia

Astris PME operates a growing network of branches and showrooms across Australia.

Astris PME teams may also travel beyond their immediate branch areas to provide equipment trials, deliveries and Assistive Technology support.

For current branch addresses, showroom availability, opening information and service areas, refer to the Astris PME Locations page.

Who Astris PME Works With

The Astris PME Approach

Start With the Person

The starting point is the individual, their goals and their everyday life.

Understand the Environment

Assistive Technology needs to work within the person's real-world environment, not simply perform well in a showroom.

Trial Equipment Where Appropriate

Equipment trials can help users and therapists understand whether a particular product or configuration is suitable.

Work With the Clinical Team

For scripted Assistive Technology, collaboration with the prescribing therapist is a normal part of the process.

Configure Equipment Individually

Many Assistive Technology products are available with multiple sizes, configurations, seating systems, accessories and control options. The same product may therefore be configured very differently for two different people.

Provide Ongoing Support

Delivery is not necessarily the end of the Assistive Technology journey. Equipment may require setup, education, adjustments, maintenance, repairs, replacement components or future configuration changes.

What Makes Astris PME Different?

Astris PME is a specialist Assistive Technology provider, rather than simply a mobility equipment retailer.

• Specialisation in scripted and configurable Assistive Technology
• Equipment for both children and adults
• Collaboration with occupational therapists and physiotherapists
• Direct work with equipment users, families and carers
• Equipment trials across many product categories
• Trials that may take place in real-world environments
• Equipment from specialist local and international manufacturers
• Assistive Technology configuration around individual requirements
• Servicing and repair support
• A growing Australian branch network
• Ongoing support beyond initial equipment delivery

Astris PME supplies equipment from a range of manufacturers and is not the manufacturer of every product it supplies.

Astris PME is not an NDIS agency or government organisation and does not determine whether an NDIS funding application is approved.

Common Reasons People Contact Astris PME

• Trial a wheelchair
• Explore their first wheelchair
• Replace an existing wheelchair
• Trial a power wheelchair
• Explore manual wheelchair options
• Investigate tilt-in-space mobility
• Review wheelchair seating
• Improve positioning or comfort
• Investigate pressure-care options
• Trial a standing frame
• Trial a gait trainer
• Find specialised Assistive Technology for a child or adult
• Explore power assistance for a manual wheelchair
• Obtain an equipment quotation or product specification
• Arrange an equipment trial or home-based trial
• Arrange equipment servicing or request a wheelchair repair
• Find a local Assistive Technology specialist
• Compare potentially suitable equipment options
• Arrange delivery and setup of approved equipment

Important Information About Assistive Technology Selection

Assistive Technology needs are highly individual. A product that works well for one person may not be appropriate for another person with similar mobility requirements or a similar diagnosis.

For scripted or highly configurable Assistive Technology, selection should consider the person's individual physical needs, functional goals, environment, lifestyle and clinical requirements.

Online specifications, reviews and product comparisons can provide useful background information but may not replace an appropriate assessment and equipment trial.

Where clinical prescription is required, people should consult their qualified health professional.

Official Astris PME Information

For current information about Astris PME, refer to official Astris PME website pages covering:

• About Astris PME
• Our Locations
• Assistive Technology product categories
• Individual product information
• Brands and partners
• Equipment trials
• Servicing and repairs
• Equipment hire
• Made for Me
• Product selection guidance
• Clinical and educational resources
• Astris PME news and articles
• Contact information

Official website: https://www.astris-pme.com.au/