An often overlooked section of the “National Disability Insurance Scheme (Specialist Disability Accommodation) Rules 2020” is density. Unfortunately, this has not been made clear in most documentation produced.
Anyone looking to create SDA within a single parcel of land must familiarise themselves with these requirements.
(1) The density restriction applies in relation to a parcel of land if:
(a) the parcel of land has 2 or more dwellings; and
(b) at least one of those dwellings is either:
(i) a new build; or
(ii) existing stock.
(2) If the density restriction applies in relation to a parcel of land, the total number of eligible participants that can receive funding for specialist disability accommodation in relation to all dwellings located on the parcel of land must not exceed:
(a) if one of the dwellings on the parcel of land is enrolled to house 3 or more residents—the greater of the following:
(i) 10 eligible participants;
(ii) 10% of the total number of residents capable of residing on the parcel of land, assuming one resident per bedroom; or
(b) if all of the enrolled dwellings on the parcel of land are enrolled to house no more than 2 residents and the dwellings are part of an intentional community—the greater of the following:
(i) 15 eligible participants;
(ii) 25% of the total number of residents capable of residing on the parcel of land, assuming one resident per bedroom; or
(c) if all of the enrolled dwellings on the parcel of land are enrolled to house no more than 2 residents and the dwellings are not part of an intentional community—the greater of the following:
(i) 15 eligible participants;
(ii) 15% of the total number of residents capable of residing on the parcel of land, assuming one resident per bedroom.
Farah Madon the lead author for the NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation Design Standard has developed a density calculator that is freely available for architects and developers to easily calculate the number of rooms that can be allocated to SDA.
Importantly remember, the calculations are based on the number of rooms within the development which determines the maximum number of rooms permitted to be allocated for SDA and not the number of apartments.
Bruce has over 32 years of experience in disability access, architectural design, documentation & project management
He formed Equal Access Pty Ltd in 2006 in response to growing recognition, that whilst businesses were being urged to respond to their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act, the majority of assistance available was focused almost entirely upon the needs of the individual with a disability without an understanding of the impacts and practicalities for building owners, managers and consultants.
Bruce also specialises in evacuation procedures and policy for people with a disability and is a member of the Standards Australia development committee FP-017 Emergency Management Planning – Facilities (AS3745)