Finding the Perfect Disability Accommodation: 6 Ways to Get It Right

Finding the best disability accommodation for Supported Independent Living (SIL) should not be a challenge because you need to logically come to the conclusion that you found the right fit for your or your relative’s needs and specific preferences. Let’s show you, in the context of SIL, how you can find the most suitable accommodation.

Assess Your Needs

The most important thing to remember is to determine the level of support. This can often be determined by the care provider in relation to the NDIS support plan. Supported Independent Living is NDIS support where somebody with a disability comes to live with others.

Supported Independent Living is different to Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), as an SDA provider looks after the home similar to how a landlord looks after a property and is used when somebody has very high needs.

Supported Independent Living providers manage the support of individuals by themselves and provide the care staff to better support the people within the property.

Types of Support in SIL

When an individual has SIL in their NDIS plan they will have support in some of the following areas on a 24/7 basis:

  • Personal hygiene care.
  • Travelling support.
  • Support to improve their socialising and/or interaction.
  • Financial matters.
  • Ongoing daily life assistance.

There are three different levels of support depending on the individual requirements that are generally covered lower needs, standard needs, and higher needs.

Understanding your needs in relation to the SIL funding from the NDIS and the support plan gives you a far better ability to determine your needs.

Visit the Accommodation

You need to look into different SIL homes in your area and gather the appropriate information to help you come to a reasonable conclusion. You can gather insight into the home services, facilities, and reputation to give you the bigger picture.

It’s also essential to consult local disability organisations and other associated groups, such as support coordinators, for the most recommended disability accommodation in the local area. There are also vacancies on websites that can help, including ours. When visiting accommodation look at some of the following components:

  • The staff and their overall service quality and experience. They need to have a good track record of working with people, and you can check this by going online to Google and/or Trustpilot.
  • Check for references, either from residents or families, as well as former residents and their relatives.
  • Evaluate the cost so you can get a true understanding of how much it will realistically cost per month, as well as vetting any additional services or fees. While NDIS funding may cover a proportion of these costs, it’s essential to understand the overall financial impacts and the payment structure.

Evaluating the Household

While there are so many key areas to consider with regard to the most effective disability accommodation for you or your loved one’s needs, one of the more underestimated parts of the vetting process is the household itself.

Some providers may offer a trial period allowing the individual the chance to experience the accommodation and the support before they can commit long term. Having a trial period doesn’t just allow them to get a feel for the place but it also means that if they are sharing the accommodation they can get a better feel for the housemates and the overall compatibility.

Much as anybody that’s without a disability would rely on some form of instinct as to whether anyone they’d live with would be compatible in a personal sense, with regards to anybody with a disability, the residents need to not just get along with each other, but also support each other.

Understanding the Legal Aspects

Before you finalise anything it is essential to review any contract sort of agreement, so that if you are acting on behalf of a relative or individual who is about to use the disability accommodation service you get to grips with the terms and conditions. These include cancellation policies and if you would be liable for any additional fees.

Creating a Transition Plan

If your loved one is transitioning from a different living arrangement, for example, they are living with you or a relative, it’s essential to create a detailed transition plan with the provider support to address some of the following:

  • Support needs.
  • Any necessary adjustments.
  • The logistics.

Any changes must be reviewed regularly. Any disability accommodation plan may require altering as per the individual’s development and/or how they feel about the accommodation now.

Finding the best disability accommodation for an individual with SIL needs involves carefully considering their needs and goals, but we must recognise the importance of collaboration to ensure that they get everything they need. If you or your loved one is looking to progress into SIL accommodation you can find more information from us. Get in contact with Soteria and we can guide you through the application process and provide any additional information to ensure that you or your loved one progresses onto the next phase of their life feeling supported and independent.