Step Content: A person who may need a wheelchair is identified and sent or directed to the right services in their context according to the systems available (e.g. public, private, veterans, and children). The person should be given an appointment for an assessment.

Planning considerations: Educators should find out information on all the referral systems (e.g. referral agency, community leaders) in local contexts to ensure students’ understanding. Sharing from a person who is involved in a referral system may be beneficial. 

Location/facilities: An in-person or virtual classroom.

Human resources: An educator that understands the wheelchair service referral and appointment system(s) in the context.

How to teach the content: Consider local case studies to illustrate the step. 

Recommended Equipment and tools: Not applicable

Documentation: Have a local referral form available. If none is available, you may use or modify the WHO referral form. 

Other comments related to contextual adaptation/implementation: Sharing from students who are from different contexts may be beneficial. In case students are unable to identify a referral system in their contexts, educators should have examples to share and discuss with them. Be aware of potential cultural barriers related to referrals.

Learning Objective

Identify types of mobility impairment that would necessitate a referral.

How to Teach

Structured lecture on body structures and functions that impair mobility and impact participation. 

How to Evaluate

Written or oral examination (live or recorded) and case study.

Learning Objective

Describe how a client’s mobility impairment impacts participation.

How to Teach

Structured lecture on body structures and functions that impair mobility and impact participation.  

How to Evaluate

Written or oral examination (live or recorded) and case study.

Learning Objective

Identify body structures and functions that impact ability.

How to Teach

Structured lecture on body structures and functions that impair mobility and impact participation. 

How to Evaluate

Written or oral examination (live or recorded) and case study.

Learning Objective

Describe how to prioritize urgency of referral.

How to Teach

Problem-based activity to understand client’s mobility impairment to determine which agency would be best suited to meet client’s needs. 

How to Evaluate

Written or oral examination (live or recorded) and case study.

Learning Objective

Recognize services available at various agencies.

How to Teach

• Review types of services available at various agencies.  

• Problem-based group activity.  

• Group discussion

How to Evaluate

Written or oral examination (live or recorded) and case study.

Learning Objective

Identify potential agencies for service provision

How to Teach

• Review regions for wheelchair service provision agencies.  

• Problem-based group activity.  

• Large group discussion

How to Evaluate

Written or oral examination (live or recorded) and case study.

Learning Objective

Describe roles of service providers (e.g., manufacturers, occupational therapists, etc.) and how they contribute in various forms of appointments (centre-based, community-based).

How to Teach

• Review role of professions associated with wheelchair service provision. 

• Problem-based group activity.

• Small group discussion. 

How to Evaluate

Written or oral examination (live or recorded) and case study.

Learning Objective

Describe roles of the referral agency representatives and required documentation to create the referral.  

How to Teach

• Review role of referral agency representatives and documentation required.  

• Problem-based group activity.

• Small group discussion. 

How to Evaluate

Written or oral examination (live or recorded) and case study.

Learning Objective

Identify the appropriate services for a referral.

How to Teach

• Review role of appropriate services for referral.

• Problem-based group activity.

• Small group discussion. 

How to Evaluate

Written or oral examination (live or recorded) and case study.