How are NDIS Housing Options Empowering the Independence of People with Disabilities?
Accessible and suitable housing is a must-have asset for life, as it enhances independence and overall quality of life for people with disabilities or handicap status. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides comprehensive housing support in prime city locations for Australians living with disabilities. It provides the required funding to the eligible ones and helps them live an improved life with access to quality.
Let's find out more about NDIS housing options and how they enhance the independence of disabled people.
NDIS Purpose of Providing Housing Support to the Disabled
The primary purpose of the NDIS behind its housing support offerings is to help participants live safely, actively engage in their local communities, and access the support they need.
- Promote independence so that they can thrive in their personal and social lives.
- Improve the quality of life so they can be self-resilient enough to do their activities without minimal support and improve their status.
- Improve community participation and inclusion to boost participants' confidence in interaction and public speaking.
5 Types of Housing Options by NDIS to Foster Independence
The NDIS is a government initiative for people with disabilities. Along with other essential support services, it offers various types of housing support that ensure individuals live in safe, accessible homes that foster independence and enhance their quality of life.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
SDA stands for Specialist Disability Accommodation, which refers to purpose-built homes for the severely functionally impaired, in particular those who have very high needs in terms of their disability.
SDA home features include wheelchair access, smart-home technology, and reinforced walls for safety equipment, which further improve the comfort and safety of participants.
SDA homes are:
- Built with features that help participants receive personalized care more efficiently.
- Designed to seamlessly accommodate mobility aids, which makes movement easier and safer.
- Mostly located in neighborhoods that promote social inclusion and local community engagement of participants.
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Supported Independent Living, aka SIL, is another form of housing assistance from the NDIS that helps people with disabilities manage everyday tasks in shared housing environments. In SDA, participants will get help with:
- Personal care activities include showering, dressing, and maintaining personal hygiene.
- Support with healthy and balanced meal planning/preparation.
- Help with household maintenance tasks, including cleaning and laundry
- Engagement in skill development programs like budgeting, personal organization, and social interaction.
SIL enables people with disabilities to live more independently while still having access to the help they need for everyday tasks.
Medium-term Accommodation (MTA)
Medium-Term Accommodation, renowned as MTA, is another flagship housing offering by the NDIS. It's different from SDA and SIL. MTA is a participant in temporary accommodation centers while waiting for permanent accommodation to become available.
Participants can access MTA when:
- Leaving the hospital may need interim accommodation before moving to their long-term home.
- Waiting for the completion or availability of Specialist Disability Accommodation.
- Changes like moving homes or changes in care needs may require temporary housing.
MTA eliminates the gap, providing participants with a safe and supportive environment and helping them ease the transition from temporary to long-term housing.
Home Modification
Home modifications occur when participants apply for changes in their existing homes to improve accessibility and safety. They do it to live more comfortably and independently. The NDIS supports these adjustments to ensure the home environment suits the person's needs and challenges.
Some examples of home modifications under NDIS housing options supports include:
- Widened doorways for better access to mobility with wheelchairs and other equipment.
- Install ramps to make moving around the house easier for people using wheelchairs or walkers.
- Make suitable changes in the bathroom, like installing walk-in showers, lower sinks, or non-slip flooring for safer usage.
- Modern device integration, like automated door openers or voice-activated lights, enhances better and smarter control
Individualised Living Option (ILO)
Individual living options are famous for their flexible living arrangements that fully align with the preferences of NDIS participants. Unlike other structured housing, ILO gives participants the freedom to find their living partner and the support they need during their stay. ILO offers living arrangements such as:
- Alone in situations with regular support visits.
- With friends or family, or host families
- In co-residency housing with support workers and providing round-the-clock assistance.
ILO arrangements offer flexibility to ensure participants can live in a way that aligns with their goals and lifestyle preferences.
Access NDIS Housing Support from a Registered Provider
Access Foundation is committed to enhancing the lives of Australians with disabilities by helping them access suitable housing under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. We have NDIS housing options available in Australia's cities and locations with all the modern facilities.
From respite/short-term accommodation to MTA, SDA, ILO, and SIL, you name it, and we have everything ready for you.
Our goal is to help participants choose the best housing alternative and strengthen their ability to live independent and full lives with extensive help from our professionals.
Summary
NDIS provides and supports a wide variety of accommodation options that fully align with the unique needs of people with disabilities. These supports ensure that eligible participants have access to safe, reliable, and accessible homes that increase their quality of life and strengthen their freedom, leading them to new purpose and development.
For more information on our NDIS housing support services or to discuss how we provide assistance, Contact us today! We look forward to partnering with you on your NDIS journey to more independent living.