What to look for in Robust SDA Accommodation

April 10, 2024April 29, 2024

What is SDA Accommodation

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) are types of dwellings that have been specially designed for people with very high support needs and/or extreme functional impairment.

SDA housing can be fitted with additional design features and assistive technologies that help individuals with a disability live as independently and safely as possible. Some examples of SDA features include accessible bathrooms, wide doorframes, and even automation, depending on the design category of your SDA accommodation.

SDA accommodation is funded by the NDIS, however it’s important to realise that just because you are part of the NDIS, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re eligible for SDA funding.

There are five SDA accommodation categories based on participants needs:

Basic
Improved Liveability
Fully Accessible
High Physical Support
Robust.

The difference between SIL and SDA

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is the funding to provide people to give you support to live independently; SDA is the actual property that you are provided. Both services can be accessed separately or together as part of an NDIS package.

What to look for in SDA accommodation

The property must:

Be registered with the NDIS as an SDA.
Satisfy the SDA design criteria.
Match the design features, type and location that are outlined in your NDIS plan.
Be located somewhere you can access formal and informal supports.
Suit your needs.

The SDA provider must:

Be registered with and by the NDIS.
Manage potential or actual conflicts of interest to ensure they act in your best interests and provide you with the necessary information to make informed decisions about your housing.

What is Robust SDA?

Robust SDA is designed for residents with significant intellectual disabilities or high support needs who could cause harm to the property, themselves, or those around them. Robust SDA accommodation prioritises safety, accessibility, and comfort. It features resilient building materials and high-level physical access provisions to reduce the need for reactive maintenance and repairs and minimise the risk to participants and carers.

Features include strong windows, walls, secure doors, and soundproofing. Robust properties also include some of the more common restrictive practices such as lockable cabinets and break-out spaces.

Robust homes should be a supportive and comfortable living environment, designed to create calm by incorporating elements that reduce sensory overload and provide a soothing environment for residents.

What to look for in Robust SDA Accommodation

Firstly, it’s important to ensure that your SDA housing meets the NDIS SDA requirements outlined above. In addition, Robust housing should include:

Laminated glass windows
3m high ceilings
Impact check walls
Solid core doors with 4 hinges to metal door frame
Double framed cavity walls between bedrooms with insulated cavity for sound proofing
Double framed walls with TVC recessed into wall behind Perspex framed into wall for smooth, inconspicuous, damage-resistant surface.
No shower screens
No sharp cabinetry edges
Ensuites to every bedroom
Soundproof Secure Onsite Overnight Assistance (OOA) bedroom space for staff
Dimmable LED recessed lighting
Warm and calming colour schemes
Designed to feel as far from ‘institutional’ as possible
Front facades indistinguishable from neighbouring properties.

Robust SDA accommodation can also include:

Almost self-contained living areas inside the dwelling for each participant
Significant separation and minimal numbers of participants (if not in individual villas)
Separate lockable butler’s pantry with fridge/freezer, additional sink, hotter water, and where sharp, heavy and breakable objects can be stored.
Large blocks and outdoor areas.

Are you looking for Robust SDA in Brisbane?

swara is a Brisbane not-for-profit NDIS registered support provider. We are more than just a disability service provider—we are a vibrant community offering tailored support for individuals aged 10 to 70 with diverse physical, mental, and psychosocial disabilities.

Swara will be providing the SIL supports at the Robust SDA Accommodation being built by KinKera and we would love to provide Supported Independent Living services to you at these incredible villas! Designed with the specific needs of robust SDA-eligible NDIS Participants in mind, these villas offer a range of features to enhance the quality of life.

swara works with care providers, participants and their loved ones to ensure that our accommodation is appropriate for the participant’s situation to ensure that it’s fit for purpose for your needs.

Read more about our Robust SDA Accommodation or contact the swara team today to discuss your needs.