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Setting the standard with beautiful, practical solutions for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
SDA Categories
How does the NDIS consider the funding levels for your SDA housing cost requirements?
Improved liveability
Improved liveability housing is designed to improve the tenants ‘liveability’ by incorporating a medium level of physical access. It has enhanced provisions for people with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment.
The design must meet the minimum requirements of Livable Housing Australia Silver Level. Improved Liveability SDA dwellings must also include one or more improved liveability design features suitable for the resident’s needs which may include elements such as luminance contrasts, improved wayfinding or lines of sight.
Intellectual and Cognitive – labelling, use of contextual cues, increased lines of sight, consistency in locations of fittings and fixtures, reduced lighting levels and other stimuli.
Fully accessible
Fully accessible housing is designed to incorporate a high level of physical access. It is for people with extreme physical impairment.
They must meet a minimum standard of Livable Housing Australia Platinum Level and include features for improved accessibility both inside and out.
The external doors and outdoor private areas must be accessible by wheelchair and the bathroom vanity and hand basin should be accessible in either a seated or standing position.
There should be a power supply to doors and windows (blinds) for retro fit of automation as necessary, plus, you must also consider if the kitchen sink, bench, cooktop and key appliances (oven, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer) should be accessible from a seated or standing position in order to meet resident’s needs.
Robust Design
To be classified as SDA Robust housing a dwelling must: be built to Livable Housing Australia ‘Silver’ Level.
Robust housing is designed for a high level of physical access. It is designed to reduce the likelihood of ongoing maintenance and repairs and assist in reducing the risk to the participant and the community.
This includes secure windows, doors and external areas, high impact wall lining, fittings and fixtures such as blinds and door handles, soundproofing, and laminated glass.
The design should also include adequate space and safeguards to support the needs of residents with complex behaviours and provide areas of retreat for other residents and staff to avoid harm.
High physical support
High physical support housing is designed to incorporate a high level of physical access for people with extreme physical impairment. The tenants must require a very high level of physical support.
High Physical Support housing includes all the requirements listed in the Fully Accessible design category, plus, structural provisions for ceiling hoists and 950mm clear opening width doors to all habitable rooms.
They are also assistive technology ready, have heating, cooling and household communications technology and include emergency power solutions to cater for a minimum two-hour power outage if the welfare of residents is at risk.
