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Prescribing wheelchair trays: key things to consider

A wheelchair (manual or power) tray may be considered for funding when it is needed to support a person’s functional independence or postural needs. Trays are often customised to suit individual users, which means they are not as easily reissued as other items and can be higher in cost. For this reason, it is important to clearly demonstrate the benefit the tray will provide.

Examples of when a wheelchair tray may be of benefit include:

  • Postural support of the arm and/or trunk

  • Independent eating and drinking

  • Independent communication

  • Operating a power wheelchair

Examples of customised trays

A padded wheelchair tray on a white background

Padded wheelchair tray

A clear swing over wheelchair tray installed on a wheelchair

Swing over wheelchair tray

An adjustable tray installed on a wheelchair

Adjustable wheelchair tray

An adjustable tray installed on a wheelchair

Adjustable wheelchair tray

A flip-up half tray installed on a wheelchair

Flip-up half wheelchair tray

Where possible, value for money alternatives, such as an overbed table should be considered first. Tray funding can be considered once the wheelchair has been successfully trialled and shown to meet the person’s needs.

Other helpful points to keep in mind when prescribing wheelchair trays include:

  • If the person completes transfers independently, it’s important to consider whether the tray can be easily removed and refitted without getting in the way of safe transfers.

  • If tilt is needed for postural support, think about how the person will use and benefit from a tray when the wheelchair is tilted, (see images 1 and 2).

  • Trays should always be prescribed with careful consideration of New Zealand restraint minimisation standards, (Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard NZS 8134:2021)

  • For safety, trays should be removed and securely stored when the wheelchair is used for occupied transport in a vehicle.

  • It’s also helpful to note that adding a tray may limit the available options for arm support padding.

Wheelchair with no tilt applied

Wheelchair on the ground with no tilt applied

Wheelchair with 45 degrees of tilt applied

Wheelchair on the ground with 45 degrees of tilt applied

When requesting any wheelchair accessory, a clear rationale is required, including how the person will benefit from using the tray and how it will support their needs.

While these guidelines apply in most situations, we recognise that there can be exceptions. Please feel free to contact a Clinical Service Advisor if you’re unsure or would like to discuss a specific situation.

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