The BrainLink Support Coordination Team is experienced in supporting people with a disability to navigate and transition people with high support needs into Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?
SDA is a home designed for people who need a lot of support. It includes special features that help people live as independently as possible. The SDA property might have wide doorways, a hoist in the bedroom or bathroom, strong walls and windows that won’t get damaged easily, or special technology.
How do I apply for SDA?
This is a complex process with a lot to consider. So where do you start?
Step One - Have a Housing Goal
Talk to your Support Coordinator about your housing goal. Your Support Coordinator will ask you many questions as your housing goal should consider where you want to live, how many people you want to live with, and how you want to be supported. Some of the questions your support coordinator might ask you might include:
- Do you want to live alone or with other people?
- If you want to live with others, how many people?
- Is it important to have your own bathroom or are you happy to share?
- Do you want garden space?
- Do you need to be able to access public transport?
- Do you want to live in a particular area?
- What are you most looking forward to doing in your new home?
Step Two – Gathering the Evidence
You must demonstrate to the NDIS that you meet the eligibility criteria for SDA. To meet the eligibility criteria for SDA the NDIS says that you must have extreme functional impairment or very high support needs or have a specialist disability accommodation needs requirement. The NDIS explains what that is in detail on their website: https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/supports-you-can-access-menu/home-and-living-supports/specialist-disability-accommodation
You will need to supply evidence to the NDIS that you meet each criterion for SDA. Your Occupational Therapist (OT) will complete an assessment and report.
Step Three - Apply for SDA Funding
If you meet the eligibility criteria, your Support Coordinator will support your application to the NDIS for SDA funding to be added to your NDIS plan. Your support coordinator can assist you in submitting all the necessary paperwork to the NDIS.
Step Four – If you are approved for SDA and have a Home and Living decision from the NDIS, you can start the search for your new home.
There are 4 different design categories you could be funded for depending on your individual needs:
- Improved Liveability – housing with better physical access.
- Fully accessible – housing for people requiring a high level of access. For example, someone in a wheelchair or those who can’t access stairs.
- Robust – housing that is strong and durable. This type of design is suitable for people who need help managing complex and challenging behaviour’s.
- High physical support – housing inclusive of equipment like ceiling hoists, backup power supply, home automation, and communication technology.
Then there are 4 different building types to consider:
- Apartments – self-contained units that are part of a larger residential building.
- Duplexes, villas, townhouses – separate but semi-attached properties within a single land title or strata-titled area.
- Houses – detached low-rise buildings with garden or courtyard areas.
- Group homes that have 4 – 5 residents.
Your support coordinator can help you find a match for homes based on the type of funding you have been approved for. Your support coordinator will consider the personal preference information you have provided regarding your new home and your daily support needs. Our support coordination team has many contacts to help us source suitable homes. As different options become available, we will present them to you. It is important to take your time and consider each option carefully. You don’t have to say yes to the first option we provide. It must be the right fit for you which might take a little time.
The Summer Foundation has some great information that might assist you.
https://www.summerfoundation.org.au/
The BrainLink Support Coordination Team has successfully transitioned many NDIS participants from hospitals, aged care facilities, and insecure housing to SDA with excellent outcomes. Contact BrainLink if you would like to refer a NDIS participant to our Support Coordination team.