appliances

Prior to any aid or appliance being issued under the rehabilitation provisions, the Rehabilitation Coordinator should request a RAPTOR report to ensure that they have a good understanding of what aids and appliances have been previously provided to the client. A RAPTOR report can be requested by contacting the Manager, RAP Operations. If requested, RAPTOR reports should be printed and placed on the client’s file and in the client’s UIN container in TRIM.

When reviewing requests for alterations, modifications, aids and/or appliances to be provided through the rehabilitation provisions, the following issues are to be considered:

•  whether, based on an assessment from a suitably qualified health provider and advice from the client’s treating practitioners, Occupational Therapist (OT), Physiotherapist, Podiatrist or other allied health provider, the client has an assessed need for the item or service due to their accepted conditions;

If the requested aid and/or appliance is not available through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP), it may be provided through section 39 of DRCA or section 54 to 59 in Chapter 3 of MRCA. The requested aid or appliance must be reasonably required by the client to meet their needs or enable them to reach their rehabilitation goals.

Aids and appliances provided through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) will be recorded on RAPTOR, RAP’s IT system. Reports are available on what items have been supplied to Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) and Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) clients by contacting the Manager, RAP Operations. If requested, RAPTOR reports should be printed and placed on the client’s file and in the client’s UIN container in TRIM.

DVA registered health providers

There are many advantages in referring a client to a DVA registered health provider. This is because if that health provider is a registered DVA provider, they can source RAP aids and appliances directly through a DVA contracted supplier. DVA registered health providers can also invoice the Department directly for their work in sourcing, ordering and instructing clients on the safe use of aids and appliances provided through RAP.

There are a number of health professionals who may be involved in the RAP assessment process. These include:

The Rehabilitation Appliances Program aims to provide aids, appliances and modifications that support veterans and their families through the provision of aids and appliances that may minimise the impact of disabilities, enhance quality of life, facilitate participation in the community and maximise independence when undertaking daily living activities and enhance overall well-being.

Clients may be eligible for RAP if they have an assessed clinical need for an aid or appliance and a:

A VVRS approved rehabilitation program may include the provision of work related aids, appliances and workplace alterations. This is explained in Section 1.3.3 of the VVRS Instrument.

The following table outlines the responsibilities for providing supports and services for serving members who have not been identified as ‘likely to separate from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for medical reasons" or who have not reached the point of separation from the ADF. These responsibilities are supported by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DVA and Defence and the relevant legislation.