Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Assessment & Certification
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) has been developed by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to support the development of a range of housing designed for people with extreme functional ability or very high needs.
The SDA Design Standards focus is on providing a home environment that maximises the ability of the individual to live as independently as possible incorporating accessible design and personal support features within their home.
All dwellings proposed for SDA Enrolment with the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) are required to provide Certification by an Accredited SDA Assessor.
Architecture & Access has several Accredited SDA Assessors who are highly experienced and well-equipped to assist you with your SDA Assessment and Certification requirements.
SDA Assessment & Certification Process:
Existing Housing Stock
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Existing Dwelling Criteria Assessment
Client is to provide evidence to confirm the dwelling/s meet the requirements to be assessed as ‘Existing Stock’, as outlined in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements for SDA.
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Site Inspections
The SDA Assessor will complete a site inspection to assess the existing dwelling/s against the relevant design criteria, which will include Livable Housing Design (LHD) Guideline ‘Silver or ‘Platinum’ level.
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Formal Assessment
Formal advice will be provided regarding any identified non-compliances which need to be addressed before undertaking subsequent site visits (if required).
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Compliance Achieved
Accredited SDA Assessor submits Livable Housing Certificate of category compliance and assessment summary to the NDIA.
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Clients Next Steps
Once the dwelling has been registered with the NDIA, the SDA provider can enrol the dwelling with the NDIA.
SDA Assessment & Certification Process:
New Builds
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Drawing Review and Site Inspections
SDA Assessors use the Architecture & Access developed internal checklist to review the design documents (provided by the client) against the NDIA specified criteria.
At the completion of construction, Architecture & Access SDA Assessors will attend the site to confirm the NDIA criteria have been achieved. Additional site inspections can be requested at any stage.
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Assessment to Certification
Completed checklist with SDA Assessor’s comments is sent to the client with compliant and non-compliant items. Formal advice will be provided regarding any identified non-compliances which need to be addressed before undertaking subsequent design reviews or building inspections.
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Compliance Achieved
Once the Design Stage documents and Final-as-built constructed dwelling are deemed compliant against the design standard, the SDA Assessor communicates this to the client and signs off the NDIS SDA Design Certificate, Checklist, and Assessment Summary Form.
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Compliance Registration
Accredited SDA Assessor submits NDIS SDA Design Certificate Checklist and Assessment Summary Form to the NDIA at both design stage and final As-Built stage.
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Client Next Steps
Once the final As-Built certification has been sent to the NDIA, the assigned SDA provider can enrol the dwelling with the NDIA.
SDA Design Categories:
Improved Liveability
Housing that has been designed to improve ‘Livability’ by incorporating a reasonable level of physical access and enhanced provision for people with sensory, intellectual, or cognitive impairment.
Robust
Housing that has been designed to incorporate a high level of physical access provision and be very resilient, reducing the likelihood of reactive maintenance and reducing the risk to the participant and the community.
Fully Accessible
Housing that has been designed to incorporate a high level of physical access provision for people with significant physical impairment.
High Physical Support
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.
