Disability Accommodation in the Past and How SDA is so Different

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of themselves and their family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services”. By looking retrospectively at adequate housing for those with disability, we can proactively make changes for a more inclusive and accessible future.

The Past

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability stated that people with disability have the right to an adequate standard of living on an equal basis to others and the right to fully participant in all aspects of life. One major aspect of this is housing. The type of housing a person lives in can affect other factors of their lives and whilst most people with disability live at home or in housing within the community, historically a great number lived in cared accommodation. But what is cared accommodation? Cared accommodation is usually a longer-term living situation and may be institutional in style such as hospitals, residential aged care facilities, aged care hostels, psychiatric institutions and various other group living situations that are not adequate. Long periods of living within these environments may result in people with disability experiencing feelings of isolation, reduced autonomy, reduced privacy and confidentiality and reduced self-determination and decision making over their own lives. This consequentially harms the dignity, freedom, social inclusion, economic productivity, health, and wellbeing of people with severe mobility restrictions.

The Present

Now, whilst most people with disabilities live at home or in the community, it is likely that these places do not meet the enhanced need of severe or profound physical/cognitive disability. Think of your own home, and how difficult it would be for someone who is wheelchair bound or needs 24/7 care to move around easily and conduct their day-to-day activities. A study by the university of Melbourne found that one third of its survey respondents reported that their inaccessible home caused them fatigue from additional time and energy spent on self-care and home care as well as reduced productivity, motivation, self-confidence, and capacity to work, study or volunteer.

The Future

Enter Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). SDA housing was created specifically to improved overall health and wellbeing for people with disabilities through the development and facilitation of homes that reduce accessibility barriers and promote independent living as much as possible. Depending on who it is designed for, SDA housing may include a multitude of features that promote accessibility such as wide doorways, smart technology, ceiling hoists, strong walls/windows, adjustable height bench tops and more. SDA homes also accommodate for the varying supports that one may need to conduct their day-to-day activities through the inclusion of bedrooms meant for carers, social workers or family and friends. Here the resident can have autonomy over who can be in their own home whilst also feeling assured that the appropriate supports will be readily available to them should they need it.

Creating a for ever home is hard, and it is important to always feel comfortable in your own environment without the added pressures of accessibility issues. SDA homes are designed to increase autonomy and self-determination and promote a lifestyle of your choosing, to be able to create happy memories and positive relationships with your community. Everhomes exists to meet at that intersection between facilitating happy homes and creating enduring relationships, to ensure the best quality of living possible for those need it.

For More Information…

If you, or somebody you know, is eligible for SDA, we recommend that you get in contact with us so we can ensure you receive the best care and direction in creating a home of your own. Alternatively, if you are unsure that you may be eligible for SDA funding, you can contact us to arrange a one on one phone consultation with us. We can help you with your unique situation and the navigation of SDA - free of charge. Simply click the link below to book a time that works for you.