Intellectual Disability and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Published at 25-03-2025 13:57:30

Tags: #ForParticipants

What is Intellectual Disability?

Intellectual disability affects how a person understands, communicates, and processes information. The severity can range from mild to profound, and it may impact an individual’s ability to care for themselves and manage daily living needs. For individuals with more severe intellectual disabilities, additional physical impairments, such as cerebral palsy, may require a higher level of care and assistive technology. You can read more about intellectual disability in our previous article: What is an intellectual disability?

For those who need a high level of daily support or a fully accessible living environment, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) may be an option.

What is SDA?

SDA stands for Specialist Disability Accommodation, which refers to housing designed for individuals with extreme functional impairments or very high support needs. SDA properties are built with accessibility features that enable residents to live more independently and safely.

SDA properties come in various forms, including:

• Apartments
• Villas
• Duplexes
• Townhouses
• Houses

SDA offers different levels of accessibility depending on your support needs, from basic modifications to more complex designs.

Does SDA Include Support?

No, SDA covers only the physical environment of your home. It does not include personal support services, which must be arranged separately. Supports such as Supported Independent Living (SIL) or drop-in services can provide the necessary assistance within your SDA home. If you want to learn more about SIL, check out our article Intellectual Disability and Supported Independent Living (SIL)

Who is Eligible for SDA?

SDA eligibility is restricted to a small percentage of NDIS participants who meet one of the following criteria:

• You have an extreme functional impairment.
• You have very high support needs that cannot be met in a standard home environment.

SDA and Intellectual Disability

For those with intellectual disabilities, extreme functional impairment means struggling to perform essential daily tasks independently. This could include difficulties with:

• Mobility: Walking, getting in and out of bed, moving items, or leaving the house.
• Self-care: Dressing, toileting, eating, or taking medication.
• Self-management: Managing routines, social interactions, and behavior.

Very high support needs refer to requiring significant person-to-person assistance for a large portion of the day, including immediate access to help when needed.

How to Apply for SDA

To apply for SDA, you need to submit a Home and Living Supporting Evidence Form alongside a Change in Situation Form. The application should include detailed information about your functional capacity and support needs, typically prepared by an allied health professional, such as an Occupational Therapist (OT).

The OT’s Functional Capacity Assessment should outline your specific needs for SDA, such as the level of accessibility required in your home. However, even with an OT report recommending SDA, approval is not guaranteed. The final decision rests with the NDIA.

What if I’m Not Eligible for SDA?

If your intellectual disability is classified as mild or moderate, you may not meet the criteria for SDA. In such cases, you can explore other housing options, such as private rental, home ownership, or subsidized housing. You can still receive support in these settings to meet your individual needs.

Finding an SDA Provider

If you are approved for SDA, you have the flexibility to choose your provider. Our Expath team can assist you in finding an SDA provider with available vacancies that meet your specific needs.

SDA provides an opportunity for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities to live more independently in a safe and accessible environment, but it’s important to explore all your housing and support options to find the best fit for you.