Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is a growing and evolving support, offering better housing options for Australians with disability. There are four SDA categories – in this blog, we’ll be focusing on High Physical Support SDA and how it compares to other design categories.
What is High Physical Support SDA?
High Physical Support (HPS) is an SDA design category that includes accessible features and structural elements to support participants with high physical needs. It’s one of four SDA design categories, each with its own design criteria set out by the NDIS.
High Physical Support is the most comprehensive SDA design category, offering extensive support for participants with significant physical needs. This category is a good option if you need more assistance with daily activities and require specialised equipment to help both you and your support workers navigate tasks safely and effectively.
What’s Included in High Physical Support SDA Design?
There are particular design requirements for each category that are provided by the NDIS. High Physical Support SDA has particular requirements that focus on enhancing accessibility and safety for participants with very high support needs. Some of these requirements that are exclusive to this category include:
- Wider door openings
- Pre-installed cabling for future automation
- Window cabling for automated blinds
- Hoist-ready bedrooms
- Backup power supply
- Built-in communication systems
These requirements are stated in the NDIS SDA Design Standard and must be implemented in all High Physical Support homes in Australia. They are made so that you can live in a home with design features that truly cater to your needs.
High Physical Support SDA in Comparison to Other SDA Categories
Support needs vary from person to person, which is why the NDIS has established four Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) categories: Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, High Physical Support and Robust. Each category includes specific design features tailored to create a more personalised and functional living environment for you and your support workers.
High Physical Support SDA is designed for participants with higher needs, so it includes extra features that other categories don’t require. This is because participants funded for this category often need additional support and specialised equipment. The table below highlights key design features that are specific to High Physical Support in comparison to other SDA categories.
|
Feature |
Improved Liveability | Fully Accessible | High Physical Support |
Robust |
|
Minimum opening width of any door used by the participant |
82cm | 90cm | 95cm | 82cm wide |
|
Minimum bedroom size |
3.1m x 3.1 m |
4.07m x 3.1m | 4.07m x 3.1m |
3.1m x 3.1 m |
|
Minimum width of corridor and passageway |
1m |
1.2m | 1.2m |
1m |
|
Step-free outdoor entry |
 |
|
|
|
|
Each bedroom is equipped to install and power a hoist |
 |
|
|
|
|
Power and control cabling installed above windows for blind automation |
|
|
|
|
|
Emergency power generators |
|
|
|
|
|
Communication technology e.g. intercom |
|
|
|
|
|
Working lift to provide access from the parking area to the unit level (for multi-story homes) |
|
|
|
|
|
Roof covering the entire entry doorway |
|
|
|
|
| Internet connection with high-speed wi-fi coverage throughout all areas of the home | |
|
|
|
What Conditions Is High Physical Support SDA Designed For?
High Physical Support is the SDA category that offers the highest level of support for participants who require extensive physical assistance. The table below lists some conditions and disabilities that are often associated with high support needs.
| Severe Mobility Impairment
Participants with severe mobility impairment often rely on wheelchairs or other mobility aids and need accessible design features to support their movement and daily activities. |
Neuromuscular Disorders
Neuromuscular disorders can affect the nerves and muscles that control our movement. Participants with this condition often require significant support. |
Degenerative Conditions
Degenerative conditions can slowly reduce a person’s physical abilities, so their living space needs to adjust over time. |
|
|
|
Are you eligible for High Physical Support SDA Housing?
Living in an SDA home that doesn’t match your needs can put your health and safety at risk. That’s why the NDIS carefully assesses your eligibility to ensure this support is the right fit for you. If you’re an NDIS participant with significant support needs, you might be eligible for High Physical Support SDA Housing.
High Physical Support SDA Criteria
To be eligible for High Physical Support SDA housing, you may require one or more of the following:
- You must be an NDIS participant
- You must be under 65 years old
- You have high physical support needs
- You require someone else to help you complete daily tasks or,
- You need 1 on 1 assistance for a large portion of the day
Apart from this, you may be eligible for High Physical Support funding if with SDA housing you would:
- Improve, maintain or prevent your functional capacity from getting worse
- Lower the need for future support and help from others
- Create better connections with informal (e.g. friends and family) and formal (e.g. health services, education and employment) support systems
Additionally, SDA housing must also meet the NDIS funding criteria, which includes the following requirements:
- SDA housing is used to support your disability needs and nothing else unrelated.
- SDA will help you achieve the goals, objectives and aspirations in your NDIS plan.
- SDA will help you participate in social activities such as visiting friends as well as economical activities that help you maintain and find a job.
- SDA is a good value for money. This means that the cost of SDA is worth the benefits you’re receiving.
- SDA will be effective and truly beneficial for your needs.
If you want to know more about your eligibility for High Physical Support NDIS funding, our SDA eligibility calculator can help – it takes less than 60 seconds to complete.
Choose Australia’s Most Trusted SDA Housing Provider
High Physical Support SDA includes some of the most advanced design features as compared to other categories. If you have high physical support needs and require significant assistance with daily activities, this option may be the right fit for you.
If you’re looking for SDA options, Enliven Housing is here to make your choice easier. We specialise in High Physical Support homes, offering modern, accessible living spaces across NSW, VIC, ACT, WA, SA and QLD.
At Enliven Housing, we are proud to go above and beyond the industry standard of SDA housing. If you’re ready to explore if you’re eligible for High Physical Support SDA, contact us directly by hitting the “Call Us” or “Chat Now” button below to find out how we can support you on your journey.
