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Understanding the SDA Design Categories

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SDA is for people who have an extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.

But the type of housing that will suit a person depends on their individual impairment or support needs, so the NDIS has decided on five different types of SDA – called SDA Design Categories.

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They are: 

  • Basic 

  • Improved Liveability 

  • Robust 

  • Fully Accessible 

  • High Physical Support

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If the NDIS decides that you are eligible for SDA payments, your NDIS plan will say which SDA Design Category, building type and location you have been funded for. You should look for housing that matches the SDA Design Category that you have been funded for.

Design Categories Explained

BASIC

Who is it for?

Basic category is for existing housing only and is provided to participants who want to remain in their current group home.

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Specialist design features:

Basic housing does not include special design features, but its location or other features may assist with the delivery of specialist support services for people with disability.

IMPROVED LIVEABILITY

Who is it for?

Improved livability hosing is for people with a sensory, intellectual, or cognitive impairment.

Specialist design features:

  • Easy to enter and move around in

  •  Doorways and other features are easy to see

  • Good visibility from one room to the next Easily adapted to suit individual needs 

  • Meets Livable Housing Australia ‘Silver’ standard

ROBUST

Who is it for?

Robust housing is for people who have complex behaviours, and who may sometimes be a risk to themselves or others.

 

Specialist design features:  Adequate space and safeguards for the needs of residents with complex behaviours, to reduce the risk of residents hurting themselves or others

  • Secure windows and doors to and within all areas

  • Impact-resistant walls, fittings and fixtures (e.g. blinds, door handles)

  • Appropriate sound proofing, to minimise the amount of noise passing from one area to another Laminated glass 

  • Areas of egress and retreat for staff and other residents to avoid harm if required

  • Meets Livable Housing Australia ‘Silver’ standard

FULLY ACCESSIBLE

  • Who is it for?

Fully accessible housing is for people who have a significant physical impairment such as wheelchair users.

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Specialist design features (for wheelchair users):

  • No steps at external doors and external outdoor private areas

  • Bathroom vanity/hand basin accessible in seated or standing position

  • Power supply to doors and windows (blinds), for retrofit of automation as necessary  

  • Consideration given to making the kitchen sink, cooktop, meal preparation bench area and key appliances (dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, laundry appliances) accessible in seated or standing position  

  • Meets Livable Housing Australia’s ‘Platinum’ standard

HIGH PHYSICAL SUPPORTS

Who is it for?

Housing that has been designed to incorporate a high level of physical access provision for people with significant physical impairment and requiring very high levels of support.

 

Specialist design features (for wheelchair users):

  • Kitchen benchtops, kitchen sink, benchtop and sink cavities, cooktop, meal preparation bench area and key appliances (dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, laundry appliances) need to be accessible in seated or standing position.

  • Structural provision for ceiling hoists. (This can be done on a needs basis depending on the Participant’s ability to ambulate).

  • Assistive technology ready for all.

  • Heating/cooling and household communication technology (intercom or video systems).

  • Emergency power solutions to cater for a minimum two-hour outage where the welfare of Participants is at risk.

  • 950mm minimum clear opening width doors to all habitable rooms.

  • A plinth for washers and driers to sit off the floor.

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