Specialised Disability Accommodation

Specialist Disability Accommodation

Are you an NDIS participant looking to live independently? Our Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) offers flexibility and freedom tailored just for you.

What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is an NDIS funded support that provides housing for people that require a high level of support and modifications to suit their needs.SDA provides highly personalised assistance, as SDA funds the modifications needed to make a house or apartment suitable for your needs.You can live in SDA by yourself or with others, such as non-NDIS participant partners. Giving you more flexibility around your living arrangements.

What’s the difference between SDA and SIL?

It’s not unusual to mix up SDA and Supported Independent Living (SIL), since both types of support are designed to help individuals in living independently. However, SDA focuses on the actual physical housing, while SIL (Supported Independent Living) pertains to the services offered within the residence. SIL support is usually available 24/7 and can include things like assistance with cooking and cleaning, personal care, and shopping.

Am I Eligible for SDA?

Only a small percentage of NDIS participants, about 6%, with exceptionally high support needs receive funding, as they must meet particular criteria. The NDIS stipulates that eligible individuals should have “extreme functional impairment and/or very high support needs.” But what does this mean?.

Although there is no clear-cut definition for very high support needs, if you experience any of the following, you might be eligible for SDA funding:

* You require more assistance than your informal support can provide.
* Your behaviours can put you or others at risk.
* You have explored other avenues, such as home modifications, and found them to not be suitable.

How can I get SDA funding?

SDA funding can be a complicated process, but there are steps you can take to enhance your chances of success.

1. You will need to show the NDIS that you require a lot of support and have no other suitable options available to you – which is where a report from an Occupational Therapist (OT) can really help. Your OT will perform several functional and life assessments and create a detailed report highlighting the barriers you’re facing and clearly stating why you need SDA funding. So, the first step of your SDA journey is making sure you have funding for an OT, which comes under Category 15 (Improved Daily Living). If you don’t have this, you can consider requesting a review of your NDIS plan.

2. Once your OT provides you with their report, you will need to contact the NDIS and request a plan review. When discussing your review with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC), explain that you want to move into more suitable housing and show the supporting report from your OT. Make it clear to the LAC that your main goal is to live independently, and you require SDA funding to do so.

How do I find a Specialist Disability Accommodation?

Finding the right fit for you is important. Points to consider include how close it is to suitable transport options, whether it is close to your friends, family, or employment, and if the location suits your lifestyle. Finding and successfully applying for an SDA can be a hard task, so a support coordinator is an invaluable resource. Your support coordinator will work with you throughout the process, helping you find suitable SDA, to achieve your desired outcome. So, when you request funding for SDA, make sure you ask for a good amount of support coordination funding.

Get in Touch

Ready to explore the freedom and independence that SDA has to offer? Contact our team of experts today to get started on your path to finding the perfect Specialist Disability Accommodation. We’re here to answer all your questions and provide all the guidance you need.