Join us at Sheltering Arms Institute (2000 Wilkes Ridge Dr. Richmond Va 23233) for a one-day, in-person symposium! This symposium is designed to empower clinicians with the knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to optimize wheelchair prescription, configuration, and training. Through a series of targeted lectures and interactive labs, attendees will deepen their understanding of foundational or advanced wheelchair technologies, refine their clinical decision-making, and enhance their ability to support patients in achieving functional mobility.
March 14, 2026
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Learn critical elements of referral timing, equipment selection, and propulsion techniques for both manual and power wheelchairs, with diagnosis-specific considerations.
Gain practical skills in wheelchair setup, positioning adjustments, and basic repairs through interactive labs tailored to attendee needs.
Discover cutting-edge innovations like smart sensors, alternative drive controls, power assist features, and trial high-tech equipment for real-world application.
What Matters Most When Prescribing Wheelchairs– This foundational session will guide clinicians through the critical elements of wheelchair prescription, including referral timing, equipment selection, and propulsion techniques. Both manual and power wheelchair options will be explored, with attention to diagnosis-specific considerations. Attendees will leave with a structured framework for prescribing complex rehabilitation technology.
Fundamental Track: Wheelchair Maintenance and Configuration Lecture and Lab- Tailored to the needs of attendees, this track offers a comprehensive review of manual and power wheelchair setup, positioning modifications, and basic repairs.
Advanced Track: Advanced and Smart Wheelchair Technology Lecture and Lab- Wheelchair technology is constantly evolving. This session explores cutting-edge wheelchair technologies including sensor systems, alternative drive controls, power assist features, power seating, and all-terrain mobility solutions.
Manual and Power Wheelchair Skills- This lecture breaks down functional wheelchair skills into teachable components. Clinicians will learn strategies for whole-task and part-task training, enabling them to better support patients in mastering complex mobility skills.
Wheelchair Skills Lab- During the skills lab you will have the opportunity to practice the wheelchair skills discussed in lecture. This will be a hands-on lab where participants practice manual wheelchair skills across multiple stations. Power wheelchair functions will also be reviewed for those interested in expanding their knowledge of basic powerchair operations.
How to Assess Manual/Power Wheelchair Skills: Manual Wheelchair Skills Test and Power Wheelchair Skills Test– This session introduces the Manual Wheelchair Skills Test and Power Wheelchair Skills Test, providing guidance on scoring and interpretation. These tools support goal writing and intervention planning throughout the patient’s care journey.
Letters of Medical Necessity Pro-Tips- This practical session addresses one of the most challenging aspects of wheelchair provision: writing effective Letters of Medical Necessity. Attendees will learn how to streamline documentation and reduce the risk of equipment denials by focusing on key evaluation elements.
Kierstan Gastrock has been a practicing Physical Therapist since 2018, with a specialization in neurological rehabilitation. As a Board-Certified Neurologic Specialist (NCS), Kierstan has dedicated her career to improving the quality of life for individuals with neurological conditions, focusing on advancing clinical practices for those living with spinal cord injuries (SCI) as well as serving the general neurologic population.
Currently, Kierstan serves as the outpatient Spinal Cord Injury Clinical Leader for Sheltering Arms Institute where she is actively working to expand and implement evidence-based best practices for individuals with SCI, ensuring a holistic approach to care.
Alli is an outpatient physical therapist at SAI Bon Air location treating primarily patients with neurologic conditions and runs four wheelchair clinics per month with local vendors. Alli is an assistive technology specialist and board certified neurologic clinical specialist. She is passionate about finding tools that fill in the gaps where physical therapy services might not be able to meet all patient needs, and designing wheelchairs that allow patients to rest just as much as they allow patients to complete day to day tasks.
Megan has worked as an inpatient rehabilitation physical therapist at VCU and SAI, specializing in treating patients with spinal cord injury, stroke, and traumatic brain injury from 2009 until 2025. She became a board certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist in 2014 and a certified Assistive Technology Professional in 2019. In 2022 she received the national Award for Excellence in SCI Care or Service from the ANPT SCI Special Interest Group. Megan also participates in advocacy work for access to seating and wheeled mobility devices. She successfully co-led a grass roots initiative to pass a bill for individuals with disabilities who are Medicaid recipients living in Virginia nursing homes to have access to customized wheelchairs. In 2024 she received the APTA Virginia Beb Cash Award acknowledging her participation in the APTA Virginia chapter and work to improve clinical care.Megan received her undergraduate degree in 2006 from Virginia Tech and her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2009 from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Rosie has been a practicing Physical Therapist since 2018, with a specialization in neurological rehabilitation since 2020. As a Board-Certified Neurologic Specialist (NCS), Rosie has dedicated her career to improving the quality of life for individuals with neurological conditions, focusing on advancing clinical practices for those living with strokes and brain injuries as well as serving the general neurologic population.
In addition to treating patients, Rosie also helps run the seating clinic at Sheltering Arms Institute’s Hanover site, where she performs complex seating and DME evaluations. In 2024, Rosie became certified in Ride Designs custom seating, focusing on creating custom molds for people with complex seating and positioning needs.
Laura serves as the Outpatient Clinical Lead for Spinal Cord Injury at Sheltering Arms Institute’s Bon Air and Short Pump outpatient centers. A board-certified neurologic clinical specialist, she brings expertise in comprehensive neurologic rehabilitation with a strong focus on aligning therapy with each patient’s unique goals. She is committed to evidence-based practice, ensuring that clinical decision-making is guided by the latest research, clinical expertise, and patient values. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Duke University and holds a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University.
