From assessment to prescription: Maximizing seated postural control and wheeled mobility for the older adult (November 2026)

Online Workshop

November 13-19, 2026 (on your own)
November 20 and 27, 2026 from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. (ET)

What time is this for me?

Optimal seating for older adults is critical to prevent injury and enhance function. A MAT assessment allows therapists to understand the older adult’s postural tendencies and to build a manual wheelchair prescription that will correct and prevent asymmetrical tendencies, improve comfort and, when possible, enhance the mobility of the client. By understanding the physics of seating and mobility, occupational therapists can prescribe appropriate seating and mobility systems for older adults that facilitate autonomy, safety, restraint reduction, independence, and participation in meaningful occupations.  …not despite, but because of their age!

This online workshop will explore how optimal seated posture impacts pain and the overall capacity of older adults to participate more fully and more comfortably in meaningful occupations.  A prerecorded lecture of a MAT assessment will provide participants an overview of how to complete a MAT assessment and how to recognize asymmetrical postural tendencies. During the synchronous workshop, the presenter will build on this lecture to help participants understand postural tendencies, three-point positioning, and postural/product simulation.  The presenter will review how posterior pelvic and posterior lateral rib cage support assist with thoracic extension for improved posture, breathing, and eating. Participants will be guided through body mechanics and pain/pressure points to understand how seating can make a difference in comfort, pain reduction, and head position to enhance swallowing.  Pain references, body shape, muscle tone, asymmetries, and skin integrity will be addressed. Participants will understand and ultimately be able to suggest appropriate propulsion styles (two-hand, two-feet, one-hand/one-foot) in their own clinic settings.  The impact of wheelchair set up on sliding and restraint use will also be reviewed. Participants will have a chance to utilize the information shared to address client case studies throughout the workshop. By the end of this workshop, participants will be more confident in wheelchair assessment and prescription for older adults. 

Preliminary workshop agenda

Pre-recorded lecture: November 13-19, 2026 (on your own)

Day 1: November 20, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Day 2: November 27, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Do a MAT assessment in your own clinical setting.
2. Understand how postural tendencies in older adults affect breathing, swallowing, head position, and bowel evacuation.
3. Conceptualize how to enhance comfort sitting.
4. Demonstrate three-point positioning and forces related to seated posture.
5. Understand the use of secondary supports and tilt.
6. Understand the physics of hand propulsion and methods of foot propulsion in older adults.
7. Review restraint policies and how seating is affected by these policies in order to gain restraint-free positioning.

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians, occupational therapist assistants (OTAs), students in occupational therapy programs, and physiotherapists who wish to develop their skills in optimal seating and mobility to facilitate the occupational participation of older adults who use or who would benefit from using a wheelchair.

Please note: Participants who previously attended the workshop “Seated posture, pain reduction, and mobility for older adults: Stop the migration!” will find that the content has been updated with additional case studies to allow participants to apply the information learned to case studies. The video of the MAT assessment was completed on pediatric premise due to ease of recording, but all principles still apply to all ages and body sizes. This workshop is tailored to the occupational therapy community. Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Client age group

Older adults (65+ years old)

Areas of practice

Assistive Technology & Artificial Intelligence, Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries, MSK/Ortho/Cardio-Resp, Neurology, Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), Older Adults

Workshop leve

Beginner (0-2 years of experience in this area of practice)

Please note: Participants with more than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 0-2 years of experience in this area of practice.

Presenter

Sheila Buck, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Sheila is an occupational therapist and the owner of a seating and mobility consulting company, Therapy NOW, in Ontario, Canada. Sheila has spoken extensively in North America, Ireland, Norway and New Zealand on seating and mobility concepts for the very young to the very old. Her audiences have included, but are not limited to, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, doctors, case managers, DME (Durable Medical Equipment) vendors and manufacturers of seating and mobility products.  Her extensive knowledge related to the provision of assistive technology for mobility is reflected in her book More than 4 wheels:  Applying clinical practice to seating, mobility and assistive technology, 3rd edition. This excellent clinical guide is currently being used as a learning tool around the world with over 1200 copies sold. Sheila is also a contributing author in the recently published Seating and Wheeled Mobility: A Clinical Resource Guide. Sheila is known for her dynamic sessions which are enhanced by demonstrations of practical suggestions, as well as her compassion for clients and advancing her learning and skills to those with whom she works. 

Registration fees

Early bird rates: Registration and payment completed by September 16, 2026

Regular rates: Registration and payment completed after September 16, 2026

Registration deadline: November 20, 2026 at 11:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees. 

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.  

Registration fee includes:

• Access to the online workshop platform
• Access to the workshop recording for 14 days following the live sessions
• An electronic copy of the presentation slide handouts
• Opportunities to network with other occupational therapists with an interest in this topic
• An electronic certificate of attendance

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to  education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by October 28, 2026 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. All cancellation/refund requests between November 6 and November 12, 2025 will be given a 50% refund. No refunds will be given after October 28, 2026. Substitutions and transfers requests received by October 28, 2026 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to  education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before October 2, 2026 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until October 16, 2026. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

  Professional Development FAQs

 

Provide suggestions for Professional Development

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.