Improved Liveability
Dwellings under the SDA design category Improved Liveability have been built or updated to incorporate a reasonable level of physical access and enhanced provision for people with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment.
Requirements
To be classified as SDA Improved Liveability housing a dwelling must:
- Meet a minimum of Livable Housing Australia ‘Silver’ Level design requirements
- Respond to the needs of participants with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairments by including features such as luminance contrasts, improved wayfinding or lines of sight.
Design Features
Some examples of special features that may be included in Improved Liveability housing include:
- Sensory – lighting, increased luminance contrast, improved wayfinding, improved lines of sight, light-based doorbells and fire alarms, hearing loops and hearing augmentation
- Intellectual and Cognitive – labelling, use of contextual cues, increased lines of sight, consistency in locations of fittings and fixtures, reduced lighting levels and other stimuli.
Funding for Improved Liveability SDA is available on new builds and existing stock. For compliance, all SDA dwellings must be designed and maintained to a standard that is consistent with the surrounding properties and neighbourhood, must recognise the importance of outdoor areas and must be built on land that is an adequate size for the number of residents.
Improved Liveability Checklist
Download the Free SDA Consulting Checklists
To ensure each and every home exceeds the Minimum Design Requirements and meets the intent of Specialist Disability Accommodation under the NDIS, we have developed our own assessment checklists to assist with the design process. We want to ensure all homes are designed to meet the individual needs of residents and promote an inclusive and supportive environment which enables participation and opportunity. Follow the link to our Improved Liveability Design Checklist.
