Benefits of shared vs individual Specialised Disability Accommodation

In Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) oversees the housing of disabled people and others who need serious support services. In the country, there are various categories of housing facilities for disabled people. The two most common options are the shared and individual specialised disability accommodation. It is important for a person with disability to choose the right option according to their conditions. As their final choice goes a long way to impact their quality of life. Each option come with its unique benefits and individuals are expected to choose based on their preferences and needs. In this post, we break down all the secrets that you need to know about the shared SDA vs individual SDA debate. 

What is a shared specialised disability accommodation?

Shared Specialized Disability Accommodation (SDA) is a disability housing option that is meant to accommodate 4 to 5 people who have significant disabilities. In the NDIS shared housing, multiple people share a living space that has been built or modified to meet unique support or care needs. A shared SDA is approved by the NDIS and helps to provide long-term housing solutions for disabled people. Shared SDAs come with a high level of accessibility, comfort, as well as safety for the residents.

What is an individual specialised disability accommodation?

An Individual Specialized Disability Accommodation (SDA) is similar to the shared SDA except that this is a housing option designed for a single disabled person. Such people tend to live and function independently. In this case, they tend to fancy a more private housing facility, rather than sharing accommodations with other disabled people. Like the shared SDA, the individual SDA is also a part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia. It offers its users tailored housing solutions to meet their unique disability needs.

Benefits of shared vs individual Specialised Disability Accommodation

Shared and individual specialised disability accommodation are two possible options for Australians living with serious disabilities or impairment. If you are considering choosing any of these options, it is important to understand the benefits of both. In this section, we will be looking at the pros and cons of shared disability accommodation in relationship to individual disability accommodation. 

1. When looking for a cost-effective option

When it comes to looking for a cost effective accommodation for disabled people, you may want to consider shared SDAs. One of the most important benefits of a shared SDA is its cost-sharing feature. In a shared SDA, the residents are able to share the costs of utilities, household maintenance, and support services among themselves. This is why shared SDA is highly recommended for people looking for more affordable SDAs. This is means that people on a budget who need high levels of care but want to minimize costs can choose this option.

On the other hand, individual SDA offers less opportunity for cost-sharing, one person is expected to pay the fee for accommodation and other. This is why individual accommodations are more expensive, especially for people who need high level of support services.

2. Are you looking for social interaction and a community to build with?

If you are looking for social connection and a communal setting, you may want to consider choosing the shared SDA option. Shared specialised disability accommodation provides disabled people with a greater opportunity to interact with people, thereby giving them a sense of community. In this SDA option, the residents in the facility live together in a communal environment. This is a great way to make friends and enjoy mutual support among the house mates. This access to social engagement is important for emotional well-being, as it helps disabled people to avoid loneliness which goes a long way in improving mental health.

On the other hand, an individual SDA provide residents with more privacy. However, like the shared SDA, this people can feel isolated, especially when they are not able to leave the house frequently. This is also the case if they don’t have visitors on a regular basis and are forced to stay all alone. For disabled people looking forward to making quality social connections, the shared SDA option offers them the potential to live a richer and more engaging life.

3.How do you want your care and support services?

When it comes to shared SDA, the care and support services provided are usually centralized, which means that residents can benefit from this because the care workers are always present. Because of this reason, access to support can be quicker as it ensures residents have help readily available whenever they need it. In addition, when it comes to shared SDAs, residents can pool resources together to hire specialized care providers, which makes it easier for them to have access to high-quality services.

However, with individual SDAs, residents can receive personalized support and care, but the cost of this type of care is usually higher because it has to be tailored to the needs of one person. Why people who choose individual SDA enjoy a high level of independence, the support that they may need at certain times may not always be available, which means that this option may be less ideal for people who need constant care.

4. When looking for a tailored environment and privacy

If you are one to enjoy privacy and a more tailored environment as a disabled person, then you may want to consider individual SDAs. In this setting, any person living with a specific disability or needing certain care services can easily customize their living space according to their personal preferences, needs, and lifestyle. This means that people who are in need of high levels of independence or want specific sensory or accessibility needs, can improve their comfort and daily living experience by having a private and fully personalized space.

On the other hand, a shared setting does not give people living with disabilities the benefit of a tailored environment and a private space. While there might be efforts made to accommodate the needs of the disabled people, there is the communal nature of this type of SDA. This means that people are barely able to get any form of privacy except if they live in separate rooms. Finally, this option may not be appealing for people who want independence as well as looking to maintain full control of their living arrangements.

5. Individual SDAs offer you greater independence

For disabled people who prefer or need a high level of independence, the better option in this case is the individual SDA. This is because this option allows the residents to live based on their own terms. They get to make decisions without ever needing to consider the preferences or daily routines of the other housemates. This is the type of independence that is needed for personal growth, dignity, and self-determination. The individual SDA is highly recommended for those disabled people who have the ability to manage their care needs as well as for those who prefer a more secluded lifestyle.

Shared SDA goes a long way to promote social interaction and community, but then again, this option could limit your ability to make personal decisions, especially when it com es to your daily routines, using shared spaces, as well as the timing of your care services.

6. The shared SDA allows you to access group activities and social programs

People who opt for shared SDAs can enjoy varieties of group activities. Many SDAs that are shared come with opportunities for residents to engage in a wide range of group activities. They can take part in many shared programs like cooking classes, exercise routines, or social events. These are the type of activities that can create a more vibrant daily experience, which makes life in shared accommodation more fulfilling as well as helping the residents to stay active.

However, if you choose an individual SDA, you may be forced plan your own social and recreational activities. This can be quite a difficult routine to maintain, especially if you have problems moving about or you need help to get around.

7. Do you want to enjoy the flexibility of long-term care services?

People who live in shared SDAs usually enjoy the flexibility of having different care options in a single place. This is very essential if you have disability needs that change with time. As your care requirements change, you can easily receive more intensive support without the need to relocate to another SDA facility. In addition, if you live in a shared SDA, you get to work with staff that are more familiar with the care needs of most of the residents in the house. This makes it easier to get smoother care and support services.

However, if you choose an individual SDA, if your care needs change, you may have to either move or make some adjustments to your living arrangements. This may be stressful or disruptive, especially for people that have complex disabilities.

Making your choice between individual vs communal SDA living

Choosing between individual vs communal SDA living depends on the priorities and needs of the individual. Shared SDA is recommended for disabled people who enjoy being in other people’s company as well as need shared care services. The shared SDA is also useful for people want a more cost-effective SDA for their long-term living requirements. This type of accommodation arrangement is beneficial because it promotes a sense of community and ensures that all participants in the house are able to access ready support. On the other side of the spectrum, individual SDA  are highly recommended for disabled people who need greater independence, privacy, and cherish the opportunity to create a more personalized environment. Whether you chose the shared or individual SDA, each option has its unique benefits and the right choice is usually the housing unit that meets the preferences and care requirements of the participant.