Practical Seating & Positioning Workshop

Session Goal

This hands-on CPD event is designed to revisit the fundamentals of clinical seating assessment and demonstrate how thorough assessment informs practical equipment selection. The session explores the relationship between posture, size, pressure management, and function, and how these elements work together to achieve optimal seating outcomes.

Through structured assessment techniques, including MAT (Mat Assessment Tool) evaluations, attendees will learn how to translate clinical findings into practical seating interventions using the adjustable features available within low and mid-cost assistive technology. Using equipment such as the Breezy Basix² wheelchair and Configura Advance recliner, the session will demonstrate how evidence-based assessment can guide equipment configuration, positioning, and postural support to improve comfort, function, and participation.

What You’ll Learn

• The fundamentals of clinical seating assessment and postural evaluation

• How posture, body size, pressure management, and function are interrelated when prescribing seating solutions

• How to identify and interpret common postural deviations and their impact on comfort, mobility, and participation

• Practical strategies to support posture using adjustable seating features and positioning accessories

• How to complete a structured MAT evaluation and apply the findings to equipment selection

• Clinical considerations when selecting wheelchairs, seating systems, cushions and mobility devices within the low and mid-cost assistive technology pathway

• How to utilise the adjustable features of seating systems to optimise posture, comfort and function while meeting individual client needs

Why This Event Matters

Effective seating begins long before equipment selection. Understanding the interaction between posture, body dimensions, pressure management and functional goals allows clinicians to make informed decisions that improve comfort, safety and participation.

Many clients seen in community, aged care and rehabilitation settings can achieve excellent outcomes using standard or configurable seating systems when clinicians understand how to assess posture and apply clinical reasoning to equipment setup. Small adjustments to seat dimensions, back support, cushions and positioning accessories can often have a significant impact on posture, pressure redistribution and functional performance.

This interactive CPD event revisits the core principles of postural assessment, MAT evaluations and seating analysis before demonstrating how these findings can be applied to practical equipment selection. Rather than focusing on complex customised device prescription, the session illustrates how clinicians can confidently utilise the adjustable features available within low and mid-cost assistive technology—including the Breezy Basix² wheelchair and Configura Advance recliner—to better support individual client presentations.

The emphasis is on building confidence in assessment, clinical reasoning and practical application, providing clinicians with transferable skills that can be implemented across a wide variety of seating scenarios.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Explain the relationship between posture, body dimensions, pressure management and function when completing seating assessments.
• Perform a structured seating assessment, including basic MAT evaluation techniques, to identify seating requirements.
• Recognise common postural deviations and apply practical strategies to improve alignment, comfort and participation.
• Interpret assessment findings and apply clinical reasoning to guide equipment selection and configuration.
• Configure the adjustable features of the Breezy Basix² wheelchair and Configura Advance recliner to optimise posture, support and function.
• Select appropriate cushions, backrests and postural support accessories based on individual client presentations.
• Apply practical seating principles to improve client outcomes using standard and configurable mid-cost assistive technology, without requiring highly customised seating solutions.