Specialist Disability Accommodation

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is a type of housing specifically designed for people with a disability (sometimes severe or profound) who require additional support. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for SDA as it is recognised as a vital part of providing appropriate accommodation for people with disabilities.

So, what is SDA exactly?

SDA is a type of housing that is specifically designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities. It includes features such as wide doorways, roll-in showers, and other personalised custom features/adaptations to ensure that the person with a disability can move around the house safely and comfortably. Additionally, the SDA may be designed to include assistive technology such as communication devices, environmental control systems, and other devices that allow the person to live independently.

SDA is divided into four design categories:

• High Physical Support (HPS)

• Robust Design

• Improved Liveability

• Fully Accessible

High Physical Support (HPS) is intended for people who require a high level of physical support, such as those who use a wheelchair or have mobility impairments. Robust Design is intended for people who require a high level of physical support and are more resistant to wear and tear. Improved Liveability is intended for people who require some physical support but also want their home to be more comfortable to live in. Fully Accessible is intended for people who require the least amount of physical support but still require some accessibility features in their home.

It is essential that SDA is designed and built with the intended future participant collaboratively involved from the very beginning. NDIS participants are afforded freedom of choice to move into a dwelling which best suits their needs. It is therefore imperative that a sustainable, compliant and high quality SDA dwelling is designed and built with full involvement from the future SDA participant from whom will benefit from the dwelling.