What is SDA?

Image Courtesy of New Dawn Housing

Introduction to Our SDA Blog Series

What is SDA?

SDA is an acronym for Specialist Disability Accommodation, these are purpose-built homes for people with disability that have high and complex needs. Eligible participants of the NDIS can obtain funding to live in an SDA. It doesn’t include the services or support you might get in your home that relate to your disability supports needs. 

Specialist disability accommodation may involve a shared home with a small number of other people where you have your own private bedroom.

SDA has accessible features to help residents live more independently and have better access to the supports in their home. 

What makes the SDA a purpose built home for people with high and complex needs.

There are four categories of SDA Designs

• Improved livability – housing with better physical access. It also has more features for people with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairments. For example, you may need walls and floors that are very easy to see, living areas that mean your support workers can see you easily, or very few stairs in your home.
• Fully accessible – housing with a high level of physical access features for people who have lots of physical challenges. For example, you need to use a manual or powered wheelchair at home or can’t use steps.
• Robust – housing that is very strong and durable, reducing the need for repairs and maintenance. The way it is built should make it safe for you and others. This type of design category may suit people who need help managing complex and challenging behaviours. We think about how often you currently cause property damage, and the extent of the damage.
• High physical support – housing that includes a high level of physical access for people who need very high levels of support. For example, you may need a ceiling hoist, backup power supply, or home automation and communication technology.

An SDA property is built to SDA Design Standards that meet the NDIS SDA funding model. There are strict compliance requirements for an SDA property some of which include.

• Meeting a prescribed Doorway Circulation Space
• Types of door handles
• Level Landing area’s
• Size of parking spaces
• Windows – height and glazing.
• Power and controlling cable (for automation)
• Showers that are hobbles, no screens or set downs to ensure access by shower chair and specific fixtures
• Height and depth of handbasins

Space around toilets.

• Reinforced sheeting around bathrooms and toilets
• Kitchen bench heights and clearance around appliances
• Oven door opening and latch types
• Tap ware designed for operation even if issues with dexterity.
• Light switches and power points, location and function like dimmable for comfort.
• Slip resistance on floors.
• Bedrooms size and Bedrooms shall have a provision for power and inbuilt structure, capable of installation of a constant charge ceiling hoist.
• Emergency power supplies
• Internet access and intercom.

SDA Assessor

The SDA Design Standard also mandates that an accredited third-party SDA assessor is engaged by an SDA developer or owner at the design stage and the final as-built stage of a dwelling development.

An SDA assessor is the sole individual authorised to issue a certificate of SDA category compliance, confirming that the design and/or final as-built dwelling meets all the requirements of the SDA Design Standard.

Who owns the SDA home?

Anyone can own an SDA home. Currently most SDA homes are owned by investors who build the homes which they rent to eligible SDA recipients through a registered SDA provider.

My Ability Pathway (MAP) is on a mission to create opportunities for eligible individuals to own their own SDA home.

Who is eligible for SDA?

You must be a NDIS participant.

According to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Specialist Disability Accommodation) Rules 2020 eligibility for SDA is in relation to the individual’s needs. The Rules prescribe that a participant will be eligible for SDA if the NDIS is satisfied that they have:

• an extreme functional impairment or
• has very high support needs and
• the participant meets the SDA needs requirement

What is extreme functional impairment?

An impairment that causes a significant reduction in the ability to do one or more of the following activities:

• Mobility
• Self-care
• Self-management

Additionally, if the participant has a very high need for person-to-person support to perform these activities, even with the help of assistive technology, equipment, or home modifications.

For the purposes of assessing whether a participant has an extreme functional impairment, the NDIS would require any assessment or examination conducted in relation to the participant, including

• the daily support requirements of the participant; and
• any assessment tool specified by the NDIS for the purposes determining eligibility.

What is high support needs?

• If the participant has lived in specialist disability accommodation for extended periods and living in that accommodation has impacted on the capacity of the participant to transition to alternative living arrangements and support; or
• If the participant has a very high need for person-to-person supports, either immediately available or constant, for a significant part of the day and either:
• there are limitations in the availability, capacity or capability of the participant’s informal support network or risks to its sustainability; or
• the participant is at risk or poses a risk to others, and that risk could be mitigated by the provision of specialist disability accommodation, having regard to the participant’s response to risk and the interaction of the participant with the environment.

For the purposes of assessing whether a participant has high support needs,

• the daily support requirements of the participant; and
• any assessment tool specified by the NDIS for the purposes determining eligibility.
• and any other matters

When a participant meets the SDA needs requirement

A participant meets the SDA needs requirement if, when compared to other supports alone, combined specialist disability accommodation and other supports would:

• better assist the participant to pursue the goals, objectives and aspirations set out in the participant’s statement of goals and aspirations; and
• be more effective and beneficial, where possible, in:
• mitigating or alleviating the impact of the participant’s impairment upon the participant’s functional capacity; and
• preventing the deterioration of the participant’s functional capacity; and
• improving the participant’s functional capacity; and
• maintaining or promoting the participant’s ability to build capacity, including in the medium or long term; and
• maintaining or promoting the participant’s opportunities to develop skills; and
• if the participant has very high supports needs—be more effective and beneficial, where possible, in:
• reducing the participant’s future needs for supports which might be required due to inappropriate accommodation; and
• assisting the participant to pursue goals related to life opportunities and life transitions; and
• if the participant has an extreme functional impairment—be more effective in providing the participant with stability and continuity of support; and
• represent better value for money.
• whether combined specialist disability accommodation support and other supports would be likely to substantially improve the life stage outcomes for, and be of long-term benefit to, the participant;
• the cost of providing the participant with supports needed to live in accommodation other than specialist disability accommodation, taking into account:
  • whether those supports may be shared with other participants; and
  • limitations of the participant’s informal support network.

How does the NDIS determine the appropriate design category for funding?

The NDIS assesses an individual's specific needs to determine which of the four-specialist disability accommodation (SDA) design categories is suitable. A design category is based on the required home features that align with an individual's disability support needs.

The NDIS evaluates how each design category's features can facilitate the accessibility and usability of other supports. The compatibility of all supports is also considered.

For instance, a design category is deemed unsuitable if it complicates access to other supports or poses risks to health and safety.

To determine the appropriate design category, the NDIS reviews reports from health professionals and considers the individual's personal goals. Factors such as the need for additional space around the bed, bathroom, or kitchen, and specific care requirements, are considered.

The NDIS selects the design category that best supports the individual's needs, ensuring the necessary features are in place to facilitate other supports and promote a supportive living environment. The most suitable support model is also considered in this process.

Resources

NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation Design Standard

National Disability Insurance Scheme (Specialist Disability Accommodation) Rules 2020

Upcoming Blog Topic: How to get SDA Funding

 

In our next blog, we will tackle the important topic of "How to Get SDA Funding." We'll guide you through the steps required to apply for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding, including eligibility criteria, necessary documentation, and tips for a successful application. Our goal is to provide you with clear, actionable information to help you secure the funding you need for appropriate housing solutions. Stay tuned for expert advice and detailed insights to support you on your SDA funding journey.