Implementing powered mobility for children with severe disabilities: experiences from different contexts

Objective: Powered mobility offers young children the opportunity to explore their world, develop awareness of their environment, and actively participate in play and daily activities. It enables children with severe disabilities to experience equity and equality by increasing their mobility. Powered mobility devices not only provide means for movement but also enhance children's understanding of tool use, expand their range of activities, and promote their inclusion in society. The global implementation of early powered mobility has varied based on factors such as recognizing the benefits of self-produced mobility for children, access to affordable equipment, training, acceptance from families, and modifications in the community to enhance accessibility. This course aims to share experiences related to powered mobility practices for young children with severe disabilities across different countries. Learning objectives of the course: To discuss the current evidence on powered mobility for young children, To share how is the implementation experiences from various countries, To explore the stages and strategies for facilitating children's use of powered mobility devices, and To develop effective knowledge translation strategies for early powered mobility interventions. Target audience: Health professionals and people/families with disabilities Outline of the course: Powered Mobility: State of the evidence 10’ Using the ALP to support tool-use understanding in young children 10’ Adapt Project - how to promote powered mobility accessible in LMIC 10’ AmeSobreruedas: Power mobility as a tool for learning, participation and functioning in children with SMA type I 10’ Go Zika Go: results from the feasibility study 10’ Q&A 10’