In the quest for inclusive living, finding the right accommodation is a pivotal step toward

empowerment for individuals with disability. The bureaucracy of the NDIS makes it hard to

navigate, however we hope to shed light on the various accommodation models available under

the Specialised Disability Accommodation (SDA). Recently, we met with Vertika to discuss the

SDA landscape and the challenges people with disability face when looking for new

accommodation.

Navigating the landscape of SDA accommodations.

The world of disability housing is diverse, offering a range of accommodation models to suit

individual needs and preferences.

▪ Group homes provide a supportive communal environment, fostering a sense of

community and shared experiences.

▪ On the other hand, individual apartments offer autonomy and independence, allowing

residents to tailor their living spaces to their unique requirements.

There are many more models out there offered from different SDA providers, which have a

slightly different approach.

The art of matching: Creating harmonious living spaces.

In a group setting, it is just as important to get along with fellow residents as it is the staff.

There are various models that you can live in, from complete choice (but lots of work) to

someone supporting you with what you want.

▪ Complete control would be the family governance model, where families and

participants work by directing the provider to provide support how they see fit, from

how the house works to who the support workers are.

▪ Other setups, include working with the SIL provider to work on a roster of support staff.

They would work with you to do the rostering and often will try to align workers based

on individual needs and wants. This is less time-consuming for families and individuals.

▪ If you live with others (group home), it’s always good to ask if you’ll be involved in

choosing new participants to move in, as you’ll be sharing a home together.

What to look for when living alone but sharing support.

Even when you live independently in your own apartment but share support, it's important to

see if support workers have experience in supporting people like you. If they don’t, you may

need to train them to provide the support how you like it.

Communal space.

Most places, if not all, will have a degree of communal space. These communal spaces range

from common hallways and garages, to entertaining areas. When you have these, it’s good to

get an understanding of how they can work for you.

▪ Does the provider host events there to give you a community vibe?

▪ Can you book the space out for you to entertain guests?

The important questions to ask providers before moving in.

Navigating the search for accommodation can be challenging, but there are people available to

support you. When it comes to choosing the right disability housing provider, asking the right

questions is key. We have a few that you should keep in mind:

• Do we have one point of contact for any questions?

• If I am not happy with a support worker, will you support me in getting a different worker?

• Am I involved in the hiring or rostering of support workers?

• Are there any meetings with the residents?

• For SDA, if you're not satisfied with the SIL provider but love the house, what is the process to

get the SIL provider aligned?

• How do modifications work and the costs?

• What is included, and not included in the bills?

• If you have a support coordinator, ask if they will come along to provide another perspective.

• Can my family come over whenever I choose? Or can they stay overnight if there is a spare

room?

Empowerment through inclusive living.

Choosing disability housing is not just about finding a place to live, it's about embracing a

lifestyle that promotes independence. To learn more about Vertika and what makes them a leader in Specialised Disability

Accommodation, click here.

Written by Patrick Neary.