Fully Accessible (FA) is one of four Specialised Disability Accommodation (SDA) design categories. In this article, we break down everything you need to know about Fully Accessible SDA and how this category is exceptional for individuals with high physical support needs.
What is Fully Accessible SDA?
Fully Accessible (FA) is one of four SDA design categories with enhanced provisions and special features for participants with physical impairments who require a high level of accessibility. Some essential features of this category include wider doorways and corridors, flat flooring and open-plan layouts. The aim of Fully Accessible SDA is to create an accessible and safe living environment where participants can live more independently and comfortably.
What’s included in Fully Accessible SDA Design?
Fully Accessible SDA housing is designed to provide enhanced physical accessibility, meeting the specialised disability housing standards set by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This ensures you can live in a home that meets your support needs, enhancing independence and productivity. Below are some of the important design features of Fully Accessible SDA:
Enhanced Safety Features
- Smoke alarms are required in bedrooms and living areas for fire safety.
- An emergency evacuation plan must be provided to participants and support workers to ensure clarity and preparation in case of an emergency.
- Home flooring, including outdoor and parking areas, must have a slip-resistant surface to prevent slips and falls, ensuring safety and stability for all residents.
Structural Provisions
- Doors must have a clear opening of at least 90cm for easy wheelchair and equipment access.
- Corridors must be at least 1.2m wide for comfortable movement.
- At least 1.55m of space is required between benches and appliances like washing machines and dishwashers.
- Any bedrooms used by the participant must be at least 4.07m x 3.1m, allowing space for a queen-sized bed with accessible space around it.
- Must have a step-free entrance, flat and continuous flooring and open-plan layouts. This way you can move around safely and comfortably without obstacles.
Automated and user-friendly features
- All areas of the home must have high-speed Wi-Fi to support participants in living independently and staying connected.
At Enliven Housing, we’ve made Amazon Alexa available in most homes so that in the unlikely event of an emergency, Alexa can automatically notify up to 25 emergency contacts at any time. Although this isn’t an NDIS stated requirement, it’s an important feature for our tenants.
Appliances
- Fully Accessible homes must have a wall oven with a side-hinged door for easy and safe access for participants who require a wheelchair.
- Cooktops must be electric or induction, as they are safer than gas. Controls should be on the side or front of the bench for easy reach.
- Dishwashers must be drawer-style to ensure easy access for participants using wheelchairs or mobility aids.
What Conditions is Fully Accessible SDA Designed For?
Fully Accessible SDA can be most beneficial to participants with mobility impairment, which can affect movement, balance and motor skills such as walking and lifting. These impairments may be related to physical conditions, neurological disorders or injuries.
Here are some examples:
| Type | Description | Example (but not limited to) |
| Physical Impairment | This can be a physical condition that affects movement or motor skills but isn’t necessarily caused by injury or neurological factors. |
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| Neurological Impairment | Neurological disability can be related to the brain function and central nervous system which affect your cognitive function, movement control and sensory processing. |
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| Injury related Impairment | This type of impairment can be a result from an accident or injury, which may affect both physical and/or neurological functions. |
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If you have a mobility impairment, you may rely on assistive equipment or mobility aids. That’s why safety and accessibility are key to maintaining your independence and freedom. Fully Accessible SDA is designed to support your needs by offering features that improve mobility and remove obstacles, making everyday living easier.
How does Fully Accessible differ from other SDA design categories?
SDA housing has four design categories: Improved Liveability (IL), Fully Accessible (FA), High Physical Support (HPS) and Robust. Each has its own design standards that are ruled out by the NDIS. Below, we describe the other categories and how they can differ from Fully Accessible SDA.
- Improved Liveability SDAÂ focuses on assisting participants with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment. It includes some features that Fully Accessible SDA doesn’t require, such as task lighting and colour contrasts.
- Robust SDAÂ prioritises support for participants with disability such as autism, mental health conditions and other psychosocial disorders. Unlike Fully Accessible, this SDA category requires sound-insulation and must be made up of materials that prevent injury, neighbourhood disturbance and the need for frequent maintenance.
- High Physical Support is similar to Fully Accessible SDA in a way that they both focus on providing an accessible living environment for participants with high physical support needs. HPS and Fully Accessible share many SDA design requirements; however, this category includes some additional features that Fully Accessible doesn’t, such as ceiling hoists.
Fully Accessible Vs. High Physical Support SDA
High Physical Support (HPS) is the most comprehensive SDA design category designed for individuals with significant physical disability who need extensive daily support. While HPS and Fully Accessible SDA both feature spacious layouts with wider corridors and doorways, HPS offers the highest level of support by including additional features.
The table below highlights key differences between Fully Accessible and HPS SDA:
| Feature | Fully Accessible SDA |
High Physical Support SDA |
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Minimum opening width of any door used by the participant |
90cm | 95cm |
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Each bedroom is equipped to install and power a hoist |
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Emergency power generators |
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In some cases, a participant’s disability may progress over time, increasing their need for support from Fully Accessible to HPS SDA. With Enliven Housing’s Blended Model, you won’t have to worry about relocating if your needs change. Our homes are designed to accommodate not only Fully Accessible but also HPS and IL categories, ensuring you can continue living comfortably in a space that adapts to you.
Choose Australia’s Most Trusted SDA Housing Provider
It’s helpful to understand the different types of SDA design categories to determine which one best aligns with your lifestyle and support needs. As we know, Fully Accessible SDA is equipped with exclusive features that help participants with physical disability attain a higher level of accessibility. If you’re considering SDA, our quick and easy SDA eligibility calculator can guide you in the right direction – it takes less than 60 seconds.
At Enliven Housing, we have FA SDA all throughout NSW, VIC, ACT, WA, SA and QLD. If you believe SDA is a good option for you, contact us or send us an enquiry to start your journey today.
