The Role of OTs in Assessing Patients for Disability Parking Permits

Occupational Therapy Australia is sharing the following information from Vic Roads and Department of Transport.

Victoria’s transition to the Accessible Parking Permit (APP) Scheme is now underway with eight south east Victorian councils transitioning to the new Scheme and participating in a pilot of the online system. Under the new APP Scheme, occupational therapists will be able to assess clients for Accessible Parking Permits. The pilot council areas are: 

• Knox City
• Yarra Ranges Shire
• Baw Baw Shire
• Latrobe City
• South Gippsland Shire
• Wellington Shire
• East Gippsland Shire
• Bass Coast Shire

What Does this Mean for You and Your Practice?

Occupational therapists will be required to follow the new application process for patients who live in the pilot council areas. Old application forms will not be accepted for patients that reside within these areas.

If your patient lives in a non-pilot area you will not be able to able to assess them for a disability parking permit until the APP Scheme is rolled out across Victoria in 2021.
If you are familiar with your client’s medical condition the online application process does not take long. It will be:

• Around 5 minutes if an applicant has already started their application online before the consultation
• Around 10 minutes if you need to start the application in the consultation

The functional assessment can be completed via telehealth for regular patients you are familiar with.

New Application Process

If your patient has not started their application online or do not have access to the internet you can start the online application on their behalf. If your patient does not have a mobile phone number, you can access a paper form from www.accessibleparking.vic.gov.au.
 
Assistance and Feedback
As this is a pilot program, we will be seeking feedback on experiences of occupational therapists with the new system and the new Scheme Criteria. This may include sending you a short survey or inviting you to participate in a short phone interview on your experiences. You can also provide feedback at any time by contacting the VicRoads project team on accessibleparking@roads.vic.gov.au.

If you would like more information on how the Scheme has changed, you can visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/app and if you need assistance with the new online systems operation please call VicRoads on 1300 965 677 or contact your local council.