Specialist Disability Accommodation Solutions For Independent & Safe Supported Living

Living independently for those of us with disabilities is often challenging. Yet for those of us that are categorised as having extreme functional impairment, or very high support needs, living away from home can seem like an unachievable dream! Fortunately, specialist disability accommodation is making this dream achievable for more of us, due to the specialist homes built specifically with our needs in mind. Keep reading to discover more about specialist disability accommodation, how it works, and the benefits you could reap from choosing this option.

What Is SDA?

SDA or Specialist Disability Accommodation is a type of housing offered to disabled people with either very high support needs or extreme functional impairment. Specialist Disability Accommodation is designed to be accessible, modern, and practical for those with different physical needs, helping them gain greater independence while ensuring their safety and health.

Defining Extreme Function Impairment 

Before you can gain funding for a SDA living facility you will need to be assessed as either having extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. To do this your NDIS planner will work with medical and other professionals, as well as speak to you regarding the support you need in your current residence.

Do you have an extreme functional impairment?

To qualify as having extreme functional impairment you will need to struggle to complete everyday tasks alone, such as getting in and out of bed, going to the toilet, and maintaining boundaries. If you require support from someone else to complete these kinds of tasks as well as the others, you will be categorised as having an extreme functional impairment.

Do you have very high support needs?

To qualify as having very high support needs you will need to show that you require a great deal of one-on-one support for a large portion of the day.

In addition to the above criterion, to be categorised as having very high support needs you will also need to be dealing with one of the following issues:

That your current accommodation poses a safety risk, such as not being able to leave quickly and easily if there is a fire. 

Or

You are unable to access the level of support you need via your family and informal support network. 

Additionally, you may also be categorised as having very high support needs, if you have lived in specialist accommodation for an extended period, as the transition to other kinds of housing can be more difficult in this case.

What Is The Difference Between SDA And SIL?

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) differs from Supported Independent Living (SIL) accommodation because the is specially designed and built for those that require a higher level of support. Whereas a SIL property does not have to adhere to any specific accessibility regulations.

What Are The Different Types Of SDAs?

There are four different kinds of SDA accommodation in line with the NDIS SDA scheme. They include improved livability homes, robust homes, fully accessible homes, and high physical support category homes. You can find out more details about each different type in the section below.

Improved Livability Specialist Disability Accommodations 

In the SDA program, improved livability homes are specially designed and built for those with impairments of the sensory, cognitive, and intellectual kinds. This means they are perfect for individuals with sight or hearing impairments, down syndrome, and Alzheimer’s among a range of other conditions. For example, properties built with those that have a visual impairment in mind will include tactile pieces on doors or walls for easy navigation of the space.

Robust

Robust housing within the SDA program is designed especially with two goals in mind. The first is to provide a space for their higher-risk residents, and the second is to ensure sanctuary for staff and other residents of the property.

To achieve these aims, robust SDA houses are built with a range of high-security features such as laminated glass, secure doors, and windows, high-impact wall lining, secure external areas, secure fixtures and fittings, and soundproofing.

Fully Accessible

For those of us looking for homes with excellent wheelchair access, fully accessible SDA residences are perfect. This is because they are uniquely designed to offer a higher level of support for those with significant functional impairments.

To that end, in a fully accessible SDA home, you will find things such as kitchens and bathrooms that can be used both standing and seated, as well as full wheelchair passages that run the entire length of the home.

High Physical Support Category

Last of all we have the high physical support category of SDA homes. Based on the fully accessible design, high physical support category homes also included added supports such as assistive tech like voice control, for the door, TV, temperature control, ceiling hosts, and even backup power in case of emergencies. It is these features that make the high-support category homes best suited to those with the most extreme physical needs.