Introducing the Turtle Tough TV enclosure—the perfect protection for your TV in Robust Specialist Disability Accommodation

Turtle Tough robust television enclosure for Robust Specialist Disability Accommodation

When it comes to safety and style, you can’t beat our Turtle Tough TV enclosure. It’s durable, has a modern design and reduces the risk of injury for high-risk areas, including Robust Specialist Disability Accommodation.   What is the Tough Turtle TV enclosure? Made from 3mm steel with an unbreakable 12mm polycarbonate screen, the Tough Turtle TV enclosure is built to last. It’s the perfect way to protect your TV, suitable for indoor and outdoor spaces. With built-in ventilation, gas struts for easy lifting, handy mounting brackets, anti-tamper screws and, all corners and edges are rounded so you can rest....

How much money will I earn investing in SDA Specialist Disability Accommodation?

Specialist Disability Accommodation Investment Returns

What Financial Returns Should I Expect with SDA One of the most asked questions we receive from people wanting to invest in SDA or Specialist Disability Accommodation is, 'How much money will I make? I have heard it is a lot". This is followed by, "I heard the payments are Government guaranteed," and then "Where should I build an SDA?"   Where Should I Build SDA This is one question we will not answer. It is not a case of building SDA and participants will be queueing up to move in. It is now becoming a competition on who provides....

Why the SIL, STA or MTA Accommodation you’re Providing may be Operating Illegally

House fire with fire engine in the foreground

Have you confirmed before trading within your SIL, STA or MTA house that it has the correct building classification? Is it a Class 1a, Class 1b or Class 3? All approved dwellings will have an occupancy permit (OP), and on that OP it will state what the approved use of that dwelling will be in the form of a classification. If the building classification is Class 1a, It may not be fit for purpose. We have often been asked to manage SIL, STA or MTA properties with an OP for Class 1a, which we decline. It is not a simple....

Understanding an organisations Liability and Risk providing Fire Safe SDA

Seminars for SDA Organisations and Individuals In this seminar, you will gain an understanding of the complexities in providing fire-safe Specialist Disability Accommodation. It will discuss an organisation's liabilities and offer solutions to improve survivability in an emergency. The session will be delivered by Bruce Bromley, a specialist that consults on delivering Specialist Disability Accommodation; he is a co-author of the SDA Design Standards and is an expert in emergency evacuation planning for people with disability.   Organisations, please get in touch with us. Contact SDA Consulting Cost Groups: $1,800 +GST + travel & expenses (if applicable). Unlimited attendees. Individuals:....

Updated 15/12/2022 Critical Update for SDA Apartments OOA

Critical Update for Apartments OOA

They say a week is a long time in politics, well with SDA the same sentiments apply. Following on from our post of last week based on an update received for SDA Assessors, we have received further advice as follows.   PART 2: Critical Update for Apartments OOA The NDIA has received feedback on the recent email to SDA Assessors on the correction to the Assessor Update #4 issued 11 November 2022 relating to the use of a studio style apartment as OOA. The NDIA, as noted previously, made a base assumption that as the costing for an OOA apartment....

Town Planning Concession for SDA Developments Victoria

SDA Town Planning Changes Victoria

Update 7 June 2023 Councils are accepting our statements that compliance can be achieved as detailed in the update 29 November 2022 below. Town Planning Exemption Additionally, some of our clients who are not registered providers have had projects approved without needing town planning approvals by nominating SDA Consulting as the SDA Provider and stating we are under a head lease.   Update 29 November 2022 We have issued to-date statements advising that the designs can achieve compliance at the provisional certification stage for three town planning applications. We await confirmation these will be accepted by councils in the interim.....

Can you have multiple categories of SDA on different stories within the same house or villa without a passenger lift?

Photo of a woman in a wheelchair entering a lift

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) was implemented by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to assist with housing for people with a disability. SDA is split into four design categories that cater to participants under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and includes Improved Liveability (IL), Robust (RO), Fully Accessible (FA) and High Physical Support (HPS). As SDA Accredited Assessors, we come across many floorplans daily with multiple design categories of SDA in one dwelling. Such as, a bedroom or two for a Fully Accessible/ High Physical Support or a Robust category is proposed on the Ground Floor with an Improved....

Where can OOA or Onsite Overnight Assistance be located?

Female caregiver, holding patient hand, support disabled patient sit on wheelchair

An issue that regularly comes up when doing assessments of Specialist Disability Accommodation is the location of the OOA or Onsite Overnight Assistance area for Fully Accessible and High Physical Support participants.   The NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation Design Standard is silent on any provisions for OOA. In fact, neither the SDA Design Standard nor the Pricing Arrangements for Specialist Disability Accommodation provide any guidance on where OOA shall be located or what shall be provided within the space.   In December 2021, the Accredited SDA Assessor – Update 4 was issued to all Accredited SDA assessors. This update included....

Assistive technology ready & home automation for Specialist Disability Accommodation

Photo of a mobile phone with images radiating from it including air conditioner, light, fountain, pump, oven, coffee machine, car charger and TV

Independent Living Made Easy Assisted living and Smart Home Automation technology is enabling people with disabilities to live fuller and more rewarding independent lives. New home automation technology maximises the ability of those with disabilities to live independently by enabling control of their home through smart devices and voice control. The technology is seamless in its simplicity of use and is designed for use by people with disabilities in mind.  There are endless scenarios where smart home technology can help everyday living... Building Specialist Disability Accommodation that is Assistive technology ready with home automation allows users to live with a....

Here’s Why Smoke Alarm Controllers Can Be a Valuable Addition to SDA Homes

Photo of the Red RAC Wireless Smoke Alarm Controller

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) provides a range of housing options for those with very high support needs and extreme functional impairments. SDA homes include a range of accessible features that allow participants to live more independently while accessing the support services they need.  An SDA home falls under one of four categories: Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, High Physical Support and Robust. The accommodation can be located anywhere, but it must include design features that are customised to suit the needs of the occupant. This could be structural adjustments or internal fittings such as automated doors and height-adjustable benches for those....

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