Assistive technology only helps if it fits your body, your home, and your daily routine. The best way to know that is to try it before you buy it. A trial lets you test whether a piece of AT actually works for you, and it gives your OT the evidence needed to support your funding request. This guide explains how to trial AT well.
Why Trial Assistive Technology at All
AT that looks perfect on paper can fail in real life. A voice assistant might not recognise your speech clearly. A powered wheelchair might not turn in your hallway. A shower chair might be the wrong height. Trialling matters because it:
- Confirms the item suits your abilities and environment
- Reveals problems before money is spent
- Helps you compare two or three options fairly
- Gives your OT real evidence for the funding request
- Reduces the risk of expensive equipment sitting unused
For higher-cost AT, the NDIS generally expects that suitability has been considered properly. A trial is one of the clearest ways to show that.
When a Trial Is Worth Doing
Not every item needs a trial. A low-cost, well-understood item like a basic reacher usually does not. Trials are most valuable when the AT is:
- Higher cost, where a wrong choice is expensive to fix
- Complex or customised, such as powered mobility or communication devices
- Something you have not used before, so its fit is unknown
- Available in several competing models you need to compare
- Dependent on your home layout, like smart home or transfer equipment
To understand how AT sits within your plan and budget, read: NDIS Capital Supports vs Assistive Technology
How to Arrange a Trial
There are several common ways to get your hands on AT before buying.
- Through your OT, who often has access to loan items or supplier demonstrations
- From AT suppliers, many of whom offer hire, loan, or in-home demonstrations
- Through equipment libraries or lending schemes, where available
- Short-term rental, so you can live with the item for a week or two
Ask your OT what is realistic for the specific item. For mobility and communication devices in particular, suppliers frequently arrange assessments and trials as a normal part of the process.
To know what to expect from your OT more broadly, read: OT Assessments: What to Expect
Running a Good Trial
A trial is only useful if you test the item properly. Treat it like a real test drive, not a quick look.
Test It in Your Own Environment
Use the AT where you will actually use it. A device that works in a clinic may struggle in your kitchen or bathroom. Check:
- Does it fit through your doorways and around your furniture?
- Can you use it on your floor surfaces, thresholds, and ramps?
- Does it work with your existing equipment and technology?
Test It Across Your Real Routine
Use the item at different times and for different tasks:
- Morning and evening, when energy and pain levels differ
- With and without a support worker present
- For the specific tasks you bought it to help with
Involve the People Who Support You
Ask your support workers and family what they notice. They often spot practical issues you miss, such as how easy the item is to clean, charge, or set up.
What to Record During the Trial
Keep simple notes. These notes become powerful evidence for your funding request.
- Which tasks the AT helped with, and how much
- Anything it did not solve or made harder
- How it compared to any other model you tried
- How it affected your safety, independence, and support hours
- Any adjustments or accessories you needed
Photos and short videos help too, especially for showing fit and access. This record makes your OT's job much easier when they write your report.
For a detailed checklist covering smart home and AT assessments, read: OT Assessment Checklist for Smart Home and AT
Trialling Smart Home Technology
Smart home AT deserves special attention because so much of it depends on your specific home. Before committing, test whether:
- Voice control reliably recognises your voice and commands
- Devices connect steadily to your internet
- Controls are reachable and usable for you
- The setup still works if the power or internet drops
- It integrates with any equipment you already rely on
Many smart home items can be tested with inexpensive starter versions before a full installation. This lowers the risk of a large purchase that does not suit you. For an overview, read: Smart Home NDIS Guide
After the Trial
Once the trial is done, decide with your OT.
- Review your notes and compare the options.
- Confirm which item best meets your goals.
- Ask your OT to reference the trial in their recommendation.
- Get a current quote for the chosen item.
- Submit the request through the correct process for your plan.
If the trial showed that no option worked well, that is still a useful result. It saves you from spending funding on the wrong thing and points you toward a better solution.
Common Trial Mistakes to Avoid
- Testing only briefly, so real problems never surface
- Trialling in the wrong setting, such as a shop instead of your home
- Forgetting to take notes, leaving your OT with nothing to cite
- Ignoring support worker feedback about daily practicality
- Choosing on price alone rather than fit and function
Key Takeaways
- Trial before you buy, especially for higher-cost or complex AT.
- Test in your own home and across your real routine.
- Record what helped and what did not for your OT report.
- Involve support workers and family for practical feedback.
- A trial that fails is still useful, because it prevents a costly mistake.
If you would like help trialling smart home technology or assistive technology for your home, contact our team or learn more about our smart home solutions. We are happy to help.
This article reflects general guidance as of July 2026. AT funding decisions depend on your individual plan and goals. For advice specific to your situation, consult your OT, support coordinator, or LAC. For official information, visit the NDIS website.