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March 2023
Tags: housing
Description:
NDIS participants waiting to move into their long-term housing. MTA has the potential to be a useful part of the solution to divert people away from aged care, hospital and other inappropriate settings. However, currently it is difficult to access, lacks quality standards and is poorly understood by participants and the sector. Along with timely and accurate decisions on long-term housing and support, MTA can be part of a larger solution that supports people with disability to have choice and control over their lives.
March 2023
Description:
Younger people with disability are not getting the skilled support they need to leave or avoid residential aged care. Active collaboration is needed between all levels of government and the disability sector to ensure no younger person is forced to enter or remain in aged care. Addressing the systemic barriers to good housing and support in the community requires increased understanding of younger people with complex support needs and improved information and support around housing and support options that ensure greater outcomes for people with disability.
February 2023
Description:
While the number of younger people entering RAC over the past 2 years has decreased, in the last financial year 497 people under 65 entered aged care. The Morrison Government’s YPIRAC initiative did not create the systemic change needed.
Instead of going to RAC, younger people with disability are getting stuck in hospital for months. Younger people at risk of RAC need timely and skilled support to transition out of hospital into age-appropriate housing.
A solution can be found through access to high quality capacity building and support for NDIS participants. There is inadequate support and information provided to NDIS participants to explore options which meet their needs. There is also insufficient demand activation which inhibits the development of housing and support options for YPIRAC and younger people at risk of RAC.
The Summer Foundation has identified 4 initiatives that will address this gap and together will solve the issue of YPIRAC once and for all, described in Summer Foundation’s Pre-Budget Submission here.
February 2023
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
There are 2934 young people living in aged care. Most will remain there until they die or turn 65. Around 80% of young people in aged care are NDIS participants but only a quarter have a goal to move out.
The government have failed to meet 2022 YPIRAC targets, and more than 30 young people a month are still entering aged care. There continues to be bureaucratic delays around funding for housing and supports. Delays around funding reviews are also contributing to the problem.
Young people in aged care or at risk of aged care need access to professionals with knowledge and expertise across the housing, health and disability sectors who can assist them in navigating the pathway out of hospital, away from aged care and into housing that suits their needs.
February 2023
Tags: housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
In October to November 2022, the Housing Hub ran a series of workshops designed to gather collective knowledge about SDA-funded group homes from providers and stakeholders. Specifically, these workshops and the broader body of work were focused on housing for people with disability who have a preference to live with other people with disability.
The Reimagining Shared Housing and Living Report provides background to the workshops, and discusses the main findings and recommendations towards a better future for people with disability who choose to live in shared arrangements.
Citation:
Rathbone, A., Dwyer, H., Winkler, D., Mulherin, P. (2023). Reimagining shared housing and living: Workshop findings and recommendations. Housing Hub
December 2022
Tags: disability support
Description:
Co-designing healthcare research and health services is becoming increasingly prominent. Co-design invites people with disability to leverage their lived experience knowledge to improve service provision, as well as ensuring meaningful and relevant research. Given the emerging nature of the use of co-design with adults with neurological disability, well-defined guidelines on best practice are yet to be developed. The aim of this scoping review is to synthesise available peer-reviewed literature which investigates the use of co-design in research and/or service development with adults who have an acquired neurological disability and live within the community. The findings of this review will help to guide future co-design practice, ensuring people with acquired neurological disability are best supported and engaged in the process.
Citation:
D’Cruz, K., Antonopoulos, S., Rothman, R., Douglas, J., Winkler, D., & Oliver, S. (2022). Co-designing with adults with acquired neurological disability in the community: A scoping review protocol. BMJ Open.
December 2022
Tags: disability support
Description:
Close others of people with acquired neurological disability often play a key role in supporting their relative to get necessary support, and therefore have valuable insight into what facilitates quality support. Situated within a series of studies aiming to build a holistic model of quality support grounded in the lived experience of adults with acquired neurological disability, support workers and close others, this study explores the perspective of close others. The findings complement the perspective of people with disability and support the key notion of quality support honouring the person’s autonomy and highlight the need to raise accountability in the disability sector.
Citation:
Topping, M., Douglas, J., & Winkler, D. (2022). “You’re supporting the whole person”: A grounded theory study of quality support according to close others of people with neurological disability, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
December 2022
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
There are 2,934 Australians with disability under 65 living in aged care. The government seems confident that its efforts to get them out will succeed, highlighting the 20% reduction in the number of YPIRAC in the past year. However, this falling number overlooks a grim reality: most YPIRAC do not leave aged care for a better housing situation.
The lower number of YPIRAC is mostly due to people either dying or remaining in aged care until they turn 65, and ‘ageing out’ of the cohort. Furthermore, over 30 younger people are still entering aged care every month. The inefficiencies at the health-disability interface mean it is still easier to discharge people from hospital to aged care than secure NDIS funding for housing.
November 2022
Tags: disability support
Description:
Quality disability support is fundamental to the lives of many adults with acquired neurological disability. However, little is known about the factors that influence the quality of paid support. This study is part of a larger project to develop a holistic understanding of quality support, grounded in the experience of people with acquired neurological disability, close others, and disability support workers. The current study focuses on the support worker perspective. This study found that critical to quality support is centring the needs and preferences of people with disability, improving support worker working conditions and supporting people with disability and support workers to build effective, balanced working relationships.
Citation:
Topping, M., Douglas, J., Winkler, D. (2022). “Let the people you’re supporting be how you learn”: A grounded theory study on quality support from the perspective of disability support workers. Disability and Rehabilitation
November 2022
Tags: NDIS, NDIS participant
Description:
The Summer Foundation, with the support of People with Disabilities Australia, conducted research into people with disability’s experience of the NDIS. The research was seeking to understand what works well in the NDIS, how it has made a difference to people’s lives and what they would change about the NDIS.
The research amplifies the voice of NDIS participants (and close others) and provides invaluable insight into the lived experience of dealing with the NDIS.
Key findings include:
Citation:
Winkler, D., Brown, M., D’Cruz, K., Oliver, S., Mulherin, P. (2022). Getting the NDIS back on track: A survey of people with disability. Summer Foundation.
November 2022
Tags: complex support, disability support
Description:
For people with acquired neurological disabilities and complex needs, general practitioners (GPs) play an important role in health management and early intervention for the prevention of comorbidities and health complications. People with disability are a vulnerable group who need and have the right to, quality general practice services. It is therefore important to understand the health needs and service use of this group. The aim of this review was to identify the healthcare needs and general practice utilization of people with acquired neurological disabilities and complex needs.
This paper found that people with acquired neurological disabilities and complex needs were vulnerable to receiving suboptimal healthcare. The literature highlighted issues regarding the accessibility of services, the fragmentation of health services and inadequate preventative care. GPs were challenged to offer adequate disability‐related expertise and to meet the mental health needs of people with disability within time constraints.
Citation:
Oliver, S., Douglas, J., Winkler, D., Pearce, C., Minter, E., Jarman, H. K., and Topping, M. (2022). The healthcare needs and general practice utilization of people with acquired neurological disability and complex needs: A scoping review. Health Expectations
October 2022
Tags: NDIS
Description:
Summer Foundation developed a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS on the capability and culture of the NDIA and the impacts on the experiences of NDIS participants.
The current culture and capability of the NDIA does not meet the needs of participants, but it can be improved. Through the Summer Foundation’s NDIS survey, participants reported that they live in fear of funding being cut, experience a lack of communication, collaboration and relationship building with the NDIA, as well as poor timeliness and efficiency.
Trust and confidence in the NDIS and the NDIA can only be restored if participants are seen as experts in their own lives. People with disability should be at the centre of all policies and solutions and included in any reform process through meaningful co-design. It is crucial that the NDIA works to strengthen choice and control for participants and builds their capacity to live well in the community.
October 2022
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
The Federal Government’s Younger People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) Strategy aims to address the systemic issues and barriers that continue to allow younger people (under 65) to enter and remain in RAC. Although progress under the YPIRAC Strategy has been made, systems change is needed to ensure younger people with complex needs have access to the long-term housing and supports they need to live well in the community. Achieving the YPIRAC Strategy requires commitment at all levels of government and the implementation of policy and operational measures that improve the disability/health/housing interface.
October 2022
Tags: NDIS, NDIS participant, training
Description:
Reasonably and Necessary: Making Sense of the NDIS is a podcast series by the Summer Foundation, hosted by our very own Dr George Taleporos.
Each podcast episode aims to simplify the NDIS for participants, their families and anyone supporting NDIS participants to work their way through the system.
October 2022
Tags: disability support, YPIRAC
Description:
Summer Foundation report to the Disability Royal Commission
There are many younger people with complex needs living in inappropriate settings such as residential aged care (RAC) and hospitals. Recent government inquiries have provided opportunities for defining and measuring progress towards essential reforms. However, more still needs to be done to improve the experiences and outcomes of younger people with complex needs. To help ensure the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) is best placed to drive policy reform that will meaningfully improve outcomes for this cohort, this report summarises the key areas in need of action.
October 2022
Tags: Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
The government expects that by 2025 up to 30,000 NDIS participants with ‘extreme functional impairment’ or ‘very high support needs’ will be receiving funding for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). Understanding the current and future supply of SDA housing is crucial for supporting the development of the SDA market.
This report, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) – Supply in Australia, is the fifth iteration of a national survey of SDA providers that aims to help inform stakeholders in the market.
Citation:
Wellecke, C., Robertson, J., Mulherin, P., Rathbone, A., Winkler, D., Rothman, R., & Aimers, N. (2022). Specialist Disability Accommodation Supply in Australia. October 2022. Housing Hub and Summer Foundation.
October 2022
Tags: disability support, NDIS participant, occupational therapist, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
The Summer Foundation and Occupational Therapy Australia conducted a survey in July 2022 to explore the role of OTs in helping NDIS participants request SDA funding. The aim was to understand the functional assessment and report-writing process from the OT perspective and provide actionable insights to the NDIA.
Key Findings include:
Citation:
Winkler, D., D’Cruz, K., Minter, E., Mulherin, P. (2022). Providing an evidence base for Home and Living decisions: A survey of occupational therapists writing functional assessment reports for NDIS participants. Summer Foundation.
October 2022
Tags: support coordinator
Description:
The Summer Foundation and the Housing Hub work with hundreds of NDIS participants with complex needs who have goals related to housing. Many report difficulties accessing support coordinators who have the necessary depth of disability housing knowledge and skills. This results in limited opportunities for exploration of suitable housing that reflects participants’ preferences in living arrangement and supports.
Based on this, the Summer Foundation is exploring how support coordinators can improve the quality and consistency of guidance provided to NDIS participants seeking funding for home and living supports, including SDA. In July 2022 it conducted a survey of support coordinators who currently work with participants considering their housing options. Findings from this survey describe the essential features of support coordination enabling NDIS participants to make an informed choice and move into new housing.
October 2022
Description:
Improving the experience and outcomes of NDIS participants, particularly around Home and Living supports, is a key focus of the NDIS. There have been a number of improvements and positive changes in the Home and Living space, including improved application processes and reports by the NDIA. While there is still more to do to ensure straightforward and transparent processes to enable NDIS participants to access appropriate housing and supports, it is great to see the focus and positive traction from the NDIA. This position statement identifies a number of wins for the NDIA and participants.
October 2022
Tags: NDIS housing resources, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
If an NDIS participant has a home and living goal, they need to complete an NDIA Home and Living Supports Request Form. This resource provides tips for support coordinators and NDIS allied health professionals who are completing a form in relation to a person requiring Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
October 2022
Tags: community participation, disability support
Description:
Community integration and social participation remain a challenge for many individuals following acquired brain injury (ABI) and the transition from hospital to home is a complex journey. It is important to conceptualise this transition from the perspective of people with ABI, to inform future research with the overall aim of improving the experience of community re-engagement and maintaining important relationships within social networks. This article provides the protocol for a study that will review existing literature to support conceptualisation of community participation from those who have experienced the transition to the community following discharge from hospital.
Citation:
Currie, S., Douglas, J., and Winkler, D. (2022). ‘What’s next?’ The journey from hospital to community engagement from the perspectives of adults following severe acquired brain injury: A scoping review protocol. BMJ Open.
September 2022
Tags: residential aged care (RAC), YPIRAC
Description:
A nursing home is no place for someone under 65 to live. The government’s focus on the issue of younger people in residential aged care (YPIRAC) is welcome, but the problem isn’t solved yet.
According to new data, there are still 3,163 younger people in aged care, and on average they’ve been stuck there for 4.9 years. Another 30 people under 65 enter each month. Two government targets aiming to solve the problem are due in December, but meeting them can’t be taken for granted.
September 2022
Tags: housing, NDIS participant, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Kirsty lives in an SDA apartment in Adelaide with her cat schmooka, she is an artist. Kirsty shares her experience with the NDIS.
September 2022
Tags: housing, NDIS participant, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Trevor has just moved into his SDA apartment after a long wait for approval, he shares his NDIS experience.
August 2022
Tags: NDIS
Description:
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) can point to value for money as a reason for not approving funding for any National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports, however it appears to be more frequently used in housing and support decisions. Participants, their supporters and the sector report that value for money is not clearly understood, applied inconsistently and lacks transparency on how it is applied to individual plans. In line with NDIS legislation, the NDIA must consider long-term costs and benefits of supports as well as invest in capacity building measures that will reduce support costs over time.
August 2022
Tags: accessible housing, disability support, hospital discharge, NDIS, YPIRAC
Description:
The Summer Foundation – La Trobe University Research Program is designed to understand the issue of young people in aged care. By researching the issues at each stage of the critical pathways that lead young people to aged care we can provide the evidence needed to create systems change that will solve this problem.
August 2022
Tags: Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
NDIA has released new Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Operational Guidelines (OG), which includes criteria for living alone with onsite shared support (OSS). These new guidelines are restrictive and will mean many people who are able to live alone and access shared onsite support will need to navigate additional hurdles to access a model of support which promotes independence and delivers value for money for participants and the NDIS. The OG should reflect the flexibility of living in a model of SDA with OSS, use evidence to establish average wait times, and expand the ways in which participants can call for assistance.
August 2022
Tags: community participation, complex support, disability support, NDIS participant, participant led videos, support worker
Description:
This paper describes the development and preliminary evaluation of a novel participant-led video (PLV) intervention to support people with disability (PWD) and cognitive and communication impairments to communicate their needs and preferences to their disability support workers. The PLV intervention was piloted with five primary participants with acquired brain injury and cognitive and communication impairments, five close other supporters and five facilitators. Analysis of interview data revealed the PLV to be a person-centred experience for primary participants that was structured around sense of self and included having a voice and taking control in directing their lives, personal growth through participation and feeling validated through the experience. The production and use of PLV training resources has much potential to improve the delivery of support and maximise support outcomes by enabling people with cognitive and communication impairments to have choice and control, set their own goals and direct their supports.
Citation:
Douglas, J., D’Cruz, K., Winkler, D., Topping, M., Bucolo, C., & Finis, C. (2022). Development and preliminary evaluation of a novel participant-led video intervention to train disability support workers. Health & Social Care in the Community, 00, 1–12.
August 2022
Tags: complex support, NDIS
Description:
The Summer Foundation and the Housing Hub welcome the opportunity to make a joint submission to the Social Development Committee on National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) impacts on South Australian participants with complex needs. Many South Australians depend on the NDIS to live an ordinary life. It is crucial that the NDIS strengthens the rights and choices of South Australian participants and builds their capacity to live independently and well in the community.
August 2022
Tags: Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
The Summer Foundation presents a discussion paper about the importance of getting eligible NDIS participants into well designed, appropriate SDA in a timely manner.
Research indicates NDIS participants living in well-designed, appropriate SDA have improved health and well-being. Additionally, it has the potential to reduce overall costs to the NDIS, due to a reduction in the need for costly supports.
Currently delays in SDA funding are restricting the continued flow of participants into SDA and led to more than 1,000 NDIS participants stuck in hospital beds. This has presented a significant burden on the health system, especially during the pandemic.
Citation:
Winkler, D., & Rathbone, A. (2022). Budgetary impact of timely specialist disability accommodation payment approvals: Discussion paper. Summer Foundation.
July 2022
Tags: disability support, royal commission
Description:
The Summer Foundation welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Disability Royal Commission (DRC). It is crucial that outcomes of the DRC ensure a more inclusive and just society for all people with disability. Despite state, national and international mandates, many people with disability with high and complex needs are still not afforded their rights. They are often denied the opportunity to live where, how and with whom they want.
Significant reforms to the NDIS and health and housing interface systems are needed to uphold participants’ choice and control over their own lives and break the cycle of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation when they are dependent on supports provided by others. Greater investment into person-centred decision-making is essential to ensure that participants can exercise their right to an ordinary life.
July 2022
Tags: disability support
Description:
The Summer Foundation welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the ACT Disability Reference Group on the ACT Disability Strategy. It is crucial that the ACT Disability Strategy ensures an accessible community that improves the lives of more than 80,000 people with disability living in Canberra. To achieve this, it must strengthen the rights and choices of Canberrans with disability and build their capacity to live a good life.
July 2022
Tags: hospital discharge, housing
Description:
People with disability who have high and complex needs often get stuck in hospital due to challenges accessing the housing and support needed to leave hospital. The transition from hospital to home requires a coordinated approach between the NDIS and health and housing sectors. Enabling access to appropriate housing and supports when participants are clinically fit for discharge prevents disruptions to patient flow and poor health outcomes stemming from extended hospital stays.
July 2022
Tags: accessible housing, housing
Description:
Research supports incorporating accessible design features in the construction of all homes. The Summer Foundation urges State and Territory Governments to commit to improving housing accessibility so people with disability have more options for where they can live.
Only 5% of new home builds over the past decade have complied with current accessibility standards, meaning tens of thousands of Australians with disability are unable to access housing that meets their needs.
July 2022
Tags: disability support
Description:
Support workers provide assistance across a range of activities, including daily and domestic living tasks, employment, housing and community participation. However, in Australia the support workforce is heavily casualised and under-trained, which can have negative impacts for people with disability. Furthermore, there is a lack of evidence on what constitutes ‘best practice’ in the area of disability support. New findings from interviews reveal the most important qualities of a ‘good’ support worker, which should be used to inform future policy and practice in the area.
Citation:
Topping, M., Douglas, J., & Winkler, D. (2022). “They treat you like a person, they ask you what you want”: A grounded theory study of quality paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability. Disability and Rehabilitation.
June 2022
Tags: housing, residential aged care (RAC)
Description:
People with Huntington’s disease require high levels of specialised care in order for them to manage daily living tasks. Specialised housing for people with Huntington’s disease in Australia is limited. This is in part due to a lack of funding and in part due to a lack of appropriate facilities. For many people, this means that their only option is to live in residential aged care (RAC). Living in RAC is generally not appropriate given that the environment often has a lack of age-appropriate activities, and social interaction.
Citation:
Cubis, L., McDonald, S., Winkler, D., Douglas, J. (2022). Effective housing and support models for people with Huntington’s disease – Report 1: Interviews with professionals. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.
June 2022
Tags: housing, residential aged care (RAC)
Description:
People with Huntington’s disease require high levels of specialised care in order for them to manage daily living tasks. Specialised housing for people with Huntington’s disease in Australia is limited. This is in part due to a lack of funding and in part due to a lack of appropriate facilities. For many people, this means that their only option is to live in residential aged care (RAC). Living in RAC is generally not appropriate given that the environment often has a lack of age-appropriate activities, and social interaction.
Citation:
Cubis, L., McDonald, S., Winkler, D., Douglas, J. (2022). Effective housing and support models for people with Huntington’s disease – Report 2: Interviews with close others. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.
June 2022
Tags: housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
The report includes the results of the Housing Hub’s second annual SDA Provider Experience Survey. In total, 28 providers completed the survey. These providers have a total of 1,281 places for tenants in their 671 SDA dwellings. At the time of the survey, they had committed over $1.5 billion to build SDA, accounting for nearly half of the total value of the SDA market.
The report contains a detailed analysis of the survey results. It also includes a series of recommendations for the NDIA, to ensure its stewardship of the SDA market maximises positive outcomes for both participants and providers.
You can also read a Summary of the report here.
Citation:
Wellecke, C., Robertson, J., Mulherin, P., Winkler, D., & Rathbone, A. (2022). Specialist Disability Accommodation provider experience survey: June 2022. Housing Hub and Summer Foundation.
May 2022
Tags: disability support, support coordinator
Description:
This checklist is written from the perspective of a person with a disability who is wanting to move to a new home. We know moving is a big task. There are many things to do, and many people may be involved in assisting a person with disability to move to a new home. This form might be completed by the person with disability and/or a trusted person such as a family member or support coordinator
Support coordinators and allied health professionals can learn more about supporting someone to move into a new home by attending our UpSkill workshop on this topic.
May 2022
Tags: housing, NDIS, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
In the past year, an increasing number of people have received SDA funding decisions that were not aligned with their needs and preferences.
In order to understand and engage with the SDA decision-making and appeals process, the Housing Hub and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) commenced a collaborative project in mid-2021, providing legal help to NDIS participants who are seeking reviews of SDA funding decisions at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). This new report presents our early findings.
Citation:
Skipsey, M., Winkler, D., Cohen, M., Mulherin, P., Rathbone, A., & Efstathiou, M. (2022). Housing delayed and denied: NDIA decision-making on Specialist Disability Accommodation. Public Interest Advocacy Centre and Housing Hub.
May 2022
Tags: disability support, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Description:
In 2021 the Summer Foundation held a series of workshops and interviews with on-site support providers, specialist disability accommodation (SDA) providers, and tenants living in SDA apartments. Preliminary findings from the workshops were published in May 2022, and the main findings were that there is scope for service redesign and innovation to improve the quality and efficiency of support.
We are seeking input from support providers for improving the preliminary report and recommendations. Please contact [email protected] by 30 June 2022.
May 2022
Tags: hospital discharge
Description:
Improving the pathway from hospital to the community is the key to reducing the number of younger Australians stuck in hospital and/or discharged to residential aged care (RAC). This report presents preliminary findings from three studies initiated to explore and identify barriers, challenges and facilitators of timely and effective discharge for people with disability and complex needs.
You can read a summary of the report here.
Citation:
Cubis, L., Ramme, R.A., Roseingrave, E., Minter, E., Winkler, D., & Douglas, J. (2022). Evaluating the discharge planning process: Barriers, challenges, and facilitators of timely and effective discharge for people with disability and complex needs. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.
May 2022
Tags: accessible housing
Description:
People with mobility impairment have the right to live in accessible housing that meets their needs. Although the Australian National Construction Code for residential housing will be amended to include minimum accessibility standards in September 2022, some states have chosen not to adopt these standards (New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia). The inclusion of people with lived experience in decisions surrounding accessible housing design is lacking. This study sought the perspective of people with mobility impairment on the most important modifications they would make to the design of their own homes, and the homes of their friends and family, to make them more accessible.
You can read a summary of the report here.
Citation:
Goodwin, I., Davis, E., Winkler, D., Douglas, J., Wellecke, C., D’Cruz, K., Mulherin, P., & Liddicoat, S. (2022). Making homes more accessible for people with mobility impairment: A lived experience perspective. Australian Journal of Social Issues.
April 2022
Tags: housing
Description:
This article presents initial findings of a national longitudinal study of the experiences of people who have moved into Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). The study shows that disability housing built with tenant outcomes in mind improves independence, health, wellbeing and community integration.
You can also read a Summary here.
Citation:
Douglas, J., Winkler, D., Oliver, S., Liddicoat, S., & D’Cruz, K. (2022) Moving into new housing designed for people with disability: Preliminary evaluation of outcomes. Disability and Rehabilitation.
April 2022
Tags: NDIS participant
Description:
On 30 March 2022, the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee and Other Measures) Bill 2022 passed through Parliament. The amendments have been designed to provide participants with greater confidence and clarity around what they can expect from the NDIS. The explainer for the disability sector, and supplementary guide on changing timelines can be downloaded below:
Download the guide for NDIS participants below:
March 2022
Tags: accessible housing, occupational therapist
Description:
To address Australia’s undersupply of accessible housing, Building Ministers agreed in April 2021 to include mandatory minimum accessibility standards in the National Construction Code (NCC). However, some states and territories have not committed to implementing these standards. This study provides an evidence base about the impact of specific design features on hospital discharge and ageing in place. It provides the findings of a national survey of 144 occupational therapists (OTs), who were asked to rate the importance of specific accessible design features in making homes more accessible.
You can also read a Summary here.
Citation:
Wellecke, C., D’Cruz, K., Winkler, D., Douglas, J., Goodwin, I., Davis, E., Mulherin, P. (2022). Accessible design features and home modifications to improve physical housing accessibility: A mixed-methods survey of occupational therapists. Disability and Health Journal.
March 2022
Tags: health professional, residential aged care (RAC), support coordinator
Description:
The Collaborative Support Approach Tool outlines the cooperation between Residential Aged Care staff, Support Coordinators, Allied Health Professionals and other stakeholders, working together to assist a younger person leave aged care.
This tool details the tasks and responsibilities – the “who does what” when assisting a younger person to leave RAC and live in the community.
This resource will be useful to RAC, NDIS providers and other stakeholders working at this interface.
March 2022
Tags: housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
The NDIA promotes innovation in the provision of housing and supports, and is seeking to “encourage new models of home and living” that replace more institutional arrangements, such as group homes or younger people living in aged care. One such model is the provision of on-site shared support (OSS) for people with disability living in co-located Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
This report provides findings from co-design workshops and interviews conducted in mid-2021 with NDIS participants living in SDA, and OSS and SDA providers. It shows the effective delivery of OSS in co-located SDA provides NDIS participants with the foundation they need to achieve a range of goals related to housing, support, independence, community, social and economic participation.
The report provides an evidence base for the development of a range of potential solutions and resources to address the challenges identified by tenants and providers.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Finis, C., D’Cruz, K., Mulherin, P., de Costa, M., Rathbone, A., Condi, A., Douglas, J. (2022). Support in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) apartments. Summer Foundation.
January 2022
Tags: nursing home, residential aged care (RAC)
Description:
Andrew tells us what life is like for him as a young person living in aged care and what the barriers are for him to leave aged care.
January 2022
Tags: hospital discharge, housing, NDIS
Description:
More than 50 young people continue to enter aged care each month. Most young people enter aged care via hospital -they fall through the gap between the hospital and the disability sectors.
Additionally over 1,100 long stay NDIS participants are stuck in Australian hospitals at a cost of $860m per annum. People with disability remain in hospital for months after they are clinically ready for discharge because it takes the NDIA an average of 60 days to determine eligibility and allocate funding for supports in an NDIS plan. Funding for SDA can take much longer.
Many NDIS participants have to go to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to get the right SDA determination. This can take up to another year, costing the Federal Government $17 million per annum (reported by the NDIA) and causing undue stress to NDIS participants and their families.
Lack of disability housing is not the main barrier to hospital discharge. According to the NDIA, there are 3,000 vacancies in disability housing across Australia, 800 of which are new build SDA.
In 2016, the NDIS committed to providing $700 million per year to housing payments called SDA. Last year the NDIA only allocated 31% of the committed $700 million for SDA (the partial allocation of committed funding also occurred in prior years).
The Federal Government will not achieve its 2022 or 2025 YPIRAC Targets unless:
December 2021
Tags: housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
On the Housing Hub website, people with disability who are looking for a home – housing seekers – can provide data about their housing needs and preferences and the site can then identify properties listed that are a close match.
In this second data snapshot, the Housing Hub is releasing data from housing seekers in a summarised way to inform the market. By doing this, the Housing Hub is working to ensure that the needs and wants of housing seekers are driving the market.
The Housing Hub will release this information every 6 months.
Citation:
Wellecke, C., Aimers, N., Rathbone, A., Winkler, D. (2021). Housing seeker snapshot – December 2021. Housing Hub and Summer Foundation.
November 2021
Tags: health system
Description:
The Million Dollar Vax (MDV) competition ran in October 2021 and aimed to increase the rate of COVID-19 vaccinations nationally. Its goal was to reduce the burden on Australia’s healthcare systems and reduce the risk of infection to the most vulnerable in the community including people with disability. The campaign targeted regions with low vaccination rates. Million Dollar Vax broke records with the highest number of unique entries over 4 weeks for any competition ever held in Australia. Australia saw a 9.8% increase in first dose vaccinations in October.
Following the end of the competition, IMI International was commissioned to understand the impact of the MDV on people’s attitudes and behaviours towards vaccination. The analysis found that MDV positively impacted the behaviours of Australians towards vaccinations, and were vaccinated sooner than they would have been otherwise, had MDV not existed.
Citation:
Million Dollar Vax campaign learnings – General population study: November 2021. Summer Foundation and IMI International.
November 2021
Tags: housing, independence
Description:
Traditionally, people with disability have been co-located in shared living environments such as group homes and residential aged care, or with family when available. In the context of acquired disabilities, discharge pathways from
hospital to home can be challenging, with many people who have sustained a spinal cord injury or acquired brain injury being unable to return to their pre-injury homes, and finding themselves living in shared living environments.
The aim of this co-design project was to create a series of tools to build the capacity of people with disability to make informed decisions about housing options.
Citation:
D’Cruz, K., de Costa, M., Winkler, D. Douglas, J. (2021). Storytellers with lived experience strengthening opportunities for people with disability to live independently: A co-design project. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.
November 2021
Tags: rehabilitation
Description:
Building upon the findings of an earlier study that explored the experience and impact of narrative storytelling following acquired brain injury (ABI), this study sought to examine the engagement of storytelling facilitators with storytellers. Transcripts of in-depth interviews conducted with six storytelling facilitators were analysed drawing upon content analysis. The analysis included a process of mapping previously analysed data to a humanising values framework.
The findings of this study provide insights into how facilitators engaged in humanising practice within the context of a storytelling advocacy programme. The facilitator participants ranged in years of facilitation experience from 1 to 11 years, with a mix of professional backgrounds, including health care (3), journalism (1) and community development (2). Analysed facilitator data mapped to each of the eight dimensions of the framework (insiderness, agency, uniqueness, togetherness, sense-making, personal journey, sense of place and embodiment), with a breadth of codes represented in each dimension, revealing the depth of humanisation. This study extends our understanding of approaches to engagement with adults living with ABI, demonstrating the humanising potential of storytelling. Furthermore, the findings help us to think about what it means to be human, guiding us to find ways to better partner with and support adults living with brain injury.
Citation:
D’Cruz, K., Douglas, J., Serry, T. (2021). Humanising brain injury rehabilitation: A qualitative study examining humanising approaches to engagement in the context of a storytelling advocacy programme. Brain Impairment.
November 2021
Tags: housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
The government expects that by 2025 up to 30,000 NDIS participants with ‘extreme functional impairment’ or ‘very high support needs’ will be receiving funding for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). Understanding the current and future supply of SDA housing is crucial for supporting the development of the SDA market.
This report, Specialist disability accommodation (SDA) – Supply in Australia, is the fourth iteration of a national survey of SDA providers that aims to help inform stakeholders in the market.
You can view the previous editions of the SDA Supply Report through the links below:
Citation:
Aimers, N., Wellecke, C., Winkler, D., Rathbone, A., & Mulherin, P. (2021). Specialist Disability Accommodation – Supply in Australia: November 2021. Housing Hub and Summer Foundation.
October 2021
Tags: allied health, support coordinator
Description:
This guide has been written for support coordinators and specialist support coordinators who are working with people with complex needs. Throughout this guide we refer to the support coordinators’ role.
Participants with complex support needs usually require a more focused and skilled approach to connecting and coordinating supports and building capacity. This resource has been developed to provide practice guidance to support coordinators for purposeful and meaningful impact whereby participants with complex support needs have the opportunity to enjoy their rights and responsibilities as full and contributing citizens.
October 2021
October 2021
Tags: submission
Description:
The Summer Foundation welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) consultation into Supports for Decision Making.Our submission responds to the key themes in the consultation paper and makes recommendations to uphold human rights and increase participant choice and control over their lives.The proposed Supports for Decision Making Policy is a significant step towards securing better outcomes for National Disability Insurance Scheme(NDIS) participants. A person-centred and supportive approach to participants and their decision supporters is essential to stop younger people with disability from being forced into Residential Aged Care (RAC) and to meet the outcomes outlined in the Younger People in Residential Aged Care Action Plan.
Our submission responds to the key themes in the consultation paper and makes recommendations to uphold human rights and increase participant choice and control over their lives.
October 2021
Tags: allied health, disability support, health professional, support coordinator
Description:
Find support coordinators and allied health professionals who are right for you.
The UpSkill Provider Directory gives you access to profiles of support coordinators and NDIS allied health professionals with a wide range of specific skills and experience. Each provider has completed UpSkill training with the Summer Foundation on topics such as how to help you navigate the NDIS, specialist disability accommodation, housing, leaving aged care and leaving hospital.
October 2021
Tags: for policy makers, Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Description:
The Summer Foundation has released a position statement about the model of housing and support known as, closed setting supported independent living (SIL) homes. This is where the SIL provider owns or head leases a property and is responsible for tenancy management as well as SIL support delivery within the home. The closed setting SIL home model is outdated and does not resemble a contemporary approach to independent living but it is currently responding to demand for housing from NDIS participants who have been deemed ineligible for SDA or are facing SDA approval issues. The model brings risk to NDIS participant safety, compromises housing security and removes a participants right to exercise genuine choice and control.
The Summer Foundation believes that the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission must undertake a quality audit of existing closed-setting SIL homes and implement a regulatory framework as an interim measure, supporting SIL providers to conform to contemporary standards that uphold NDIS participants’ legal rights.
The NDIA must ensure SDA eligible participants do not live in, or are not reliant on, closed setting SIL homes.
September 2021
Tags: disability support
Description:
Theoretically, individualised funding schemes empower people with disability (PWD) to choose high quality support services in line with their needs and preferences. Given the importance of support, the aim of the scoping review and in-depth interviews was to understand the factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability from the perspective of PWD, close others and disability support workers (DSWs). A comprehensive scoping review of the published literature from 2009-2019 was conducted on five databases. In-depth interviews were conducted with people with acquired neurological disabilities, close others and DSWs to obtain their perspective on what influences the quality of paid disability support.
Citation:
Topping, M., Douglas, J., Winkler, D., (2021). Factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability scoping review and preliminary interview findings. Paper presented at the 6th Pacific Rim Conference of the International Neuropsychological Society, Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment, and Australian Psychological Society’s College of Clinical Neuropsychologists.
September 2021
Tags: residential aged care (RAC), YPIRAC
Description:
Governments have long aimed to reduce admissions of young people to residential aged care (RAC), but in 2019, for the first time, the Australian Government adopted target dates for resolving the issue through the Younger People in Residential Aged Care Strategy. The targets include:
This study drew on quarterly data from the National Aged Care Data Clearinghouse to examine progress toward these targets. It finds that significant progress was evident in terms of young people entering RAC, as admissions reduced each quarter between September 2018 and July 2020, halving over two years. However, no progress was evident in terms of young people leaving RAC for better arrangements, as the trend neither increased nor decreased. This paper discusses these trends and also prospects for achieving the Australian Government’s targets.
Citation:
Brown, M., Condi, A., Davis, E., Goodwin, I., Winkler, D., & Douglas, J. (2021). Young people in residential aged care: Is Australia on track to meet its targets? Australian Journal of Social Issues
September 2021
Tags: disability support, NDIS plan, support coordinator
Description:
We have created a guide to help you choose a support coordinator. We have included ideas for important things you might want to know about your support coordinator, and questions you might want to ask them.
August 2021
Tags: accessible housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Thousands of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) dwellings are needed to meet Australia’s accessible housing needs. Private investors play a significant role in funding the considerable build and refurbishment of housing that is needed.
This investment plays an important role in supporting the Australian Government’s vision for a market-based system and reduces the pressure on public funds.
Citation:
Madhavan, D., Mulherin, P., Winkler, D, (2021). Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) investor think tank: Findings and recommendations. Summer Foundation.
July 2021
Tags: for policy makers, hospital discharge
Description:
Immediate action is needed to improve outcomes for people with complex disability. Significant reforms of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and health interface systems are needed to reduce unnecessary hospital stays and to prevent younger people with high and complex disabilities from being forced into unsuitable housing and support such as residential aged care (RAC).
Hospital discharge delays have compounding negative consequences for NDIS participants (hereafter referred to as ‘participant’ or ‘participants’) and families, NDIS and health systems, and the workers within these systems. Improvements in hospital discharge will reduce costs for both the NDIS and health systems and help fulfil the Younger People in Residential Aged Care Action Plan of no younger person (under the age of 65) living in RAC unless there are exceptional circumstances.
This report examines the various problems and solutions specific to the NDIS and health interface to minimise extended hospital stays and increase successful returns to community life for people with disabilities.
July 2021
Tags: accessible housing, housing
Description:
The preliminary findings presented in this interim report examine the tenant outcomes of people with disability moving into SDA-funded apartments, with appropriate technology, support, design and location, in the 10+1 model. The overarching aim of the research project is to systematically evaluate individual outcomes of tenants moving to newly built, SDA-funded contemporary models of housing for people with disability over a 3-year period.
To date, this project has found that tenants have a greater level of community participation and are significantly more involved in household tasks such as meal preparation, shopping and electronic social networking post-move. There is also a positive trend towards improved social integration. These changes reflect the fact that tenants moving into SDA-funded apartments are more involved in everyday life compared to their pre-move living situation, suggesting that the 10+1 model better enables people with severe disabilities to fulfil their aspirations to live an ordinary life.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Douglas, J., Oliver, S., D’Cruz, K., Naismith, J., Minter, E., & Liddicoat, S. (2021). Interim report – Moving into new housing designed for people with disability: Evaluation of tenant outcomes. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.
July 2021
Description:
The provision of housing and supports must be separated to avoid conflicts of interest. Many participants receive a mixture of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Supported Independent Living (SIL), support coordination and other supports from the same provider. This presents an inherent conflict of interest that brings risk to participant safety, compromises housing security and limits or removes a participant’s right to exercise genuine choice and control.
This can result in limitations of a participant’s rights to exercise choice and control, including the inability to raise concerns or change support providers without putting at risk other services and supports they receive.
July 2021
Tags: allied health, support coordinator
Description:
This podcast series features conversations with support coordinators who share their experiences of supporting people with disability and working alongside other sectors such as health, aged care and housing.
It also includes conversations with people with lived experience of disability who share how their support coordinators focused on them as individuals and supported them to achieve new goals relating to exploring housing options and moving to their own homes.
June 2021
Tags: housing, NDIS Housing Options, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in Thin Markets resource identifies challenges and barriers to delivering SDA in thin markets. It explains the role that housing providers, disability support providers and all members of the community play in shaping opportunities for people with disability. The resource focuses on rural and remote areas in Western Australia and Queensland, Robust SDA and the impact the lack of SDA has on other mainstream systems.
May 2021
Tags: rehabilitation
Description:
This paper examines the existing literature and maps out the potential practical, ethical and methodological considerations when adapting research methods to an online environment, with suggestions for practice when working with adults with acquired brain injury (ABI). People with ABI experience a range of impairments likely to be impacted by the adaptation of interview methods to an online space. This paper discusses the benefits and challenges of conducting qualitative interviews online and maps out the key practical, ethical and methodological considerations for planning and conducting interviews. Being aware of the potential complexities with interviewing people with ABI online should enable researchers to plan strategies to overcome challenges accordingly. It is hoped that the guidance and suggestions offered in this paper will assist researchers to deliver best practice research while protecting the welfare of participants with ABI, and more generally.
Citation:
Topping, M., Douglas, J., & Winkler, D. (2021). General considerations for conducting online qualitative research and practice implications for interviewing people with acquired brain injury. International Journal of Qualitative Methods.
May 2021
Tags: accessible housing, housing
Description:
A new version of the Housing Hub website was launched in August 2020. On this new version of the Housing Hub, people with disability who are looking for a home – housing seekers – can provide data about their housing needs and preferences and the website can then identify properties listed that are a close match.
In this data snapshot, the Housing Hub is releasing data from housing seekers in a summarised way to inform the market. By doing this, the Housing Hub is working to ensure that the wants and needs of housing seekers are driving the market.
The Housing Hub intends to release this information every 6 months.
Citation:
Rathbone, A., Aimers, N., & Winkler, D. (2021). Housing seeker snapshot – May 2021. Housing Hub and Summer Foundation.
March 2021
Tags: accessible housing
Description:
This report is the second of two studies investigating accessible housing conducted through the Summer Foundation–La Trobe University research program, to inform decision-makers on incorporating minimum mandatory accessibility standards in the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC).
This study points to the inefficiencies of retrospectively modifying homes, rather than incorporating minimum accessibility features as standard in new homes.
Download the Preliminary Findings summary for this report.
Citation:
D’Cruz, K., Winkler, D., Douglas, J., Wellecke, C., Goodwin, I., & Davis, E. (2021). Study 2 – Accessible design, hospital discharge and ageing in place: A national survey of occupational therapists. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.
March 2021
Tags: allied health, NDIS, NDIS housing resources, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), support coordinator
Description:
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is a costly support that will be provided to only a small number of NDIS participants, so the rules the NDIS uses to determine a participant’s eligibility are rigorously applied. To be considered for SDA, a participant must provide evidence to support EVERY criteria along one of the pathways in this flowchart.
For the exact wording of each rule, refer to the Summer Foundation’s How to write a housing plan resource.
March 2021
Tags: accessible housing
Description:
This report is the first of two studies investigating accessible housing conducted through the Summer Foundation–La Trobe University research program. These reports provide an evidence base to inform decision-makers on incorporating minimum mandatory accessibility standards in the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC).
This study seeks the expert opinions of access consultants and architects on how expensive and complicated it would be for builders to incorporate specific accessible features into all new homes. It surveyed 24 access consultants and architects with expert knowledge of the Livable Housing Australia Design Guidelines.
Download the Preliminary Findings summary for this report.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Harvey, C., Davis, E., Goodwin, I., Wellecke, C., Douglas, J., & Mulherin, P. (2021). Study 1 – Incorporating minimum accessibility standards in new housing: A survey of access consultants and architects. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.
March 2021
Tags: for policy makers
Description:
The Summer Foundation has made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) inquiry into Independent Assessments.
We believe that the NDIS is an important and life changing government initiative that has the potential to solve the issue of younger people being forced into residential aged care and other inappropriate accommodation settings.
While we welcome the introduction of free and timely assessments for people stuck in hospital, we recommend postponing the proposed midyear rollout of independent assessments and implementing an evidence-based pilot, codesigned with people with disability, disability organisations and other experts in the field.
March 2021
Tags: housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Property Developer, Keith Fagg, talks about his motivation for building Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
March 2021
Tags: allied health, support coordinator, training
Description:
A series of resources that the Summer Foundation has prepared about accessing housing; they are designed for people with disability, their families and supporters, support coordinators and allied health professionals.
March 2021
Tags: residential aged care (RAC), YPIRAC
Description:
This report utilises the available administrative data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and the NDIA to describe the characteristics and geographical distribution of young people in permanent residential aged care (RAC) in Australia in 2019-2020. It finds that as at 30 June 2020, 4,860 people under 65 years, including 130 people under 45 years, were living in permanent RAC. They accounted for 2.6% and 0.1%, respectively, of all residents in permanent RAC. The number of young people under 65 years residing in permanent RAC decreased by 13.3% compared to 12 months prior.
Citation:
Bishop, G.M., Mulherin, P., & Winkler, D. (2021). Young people in residential aged care in Australia, 2019-2020. Summer Foundation.
February 2021
Tags: health professional, hospital discharge, housing
Citation:
The Housing Needs and Preferences to Support Discharge Guide and Template are for health professionals to support a person with disability to describe the housing and support they want and need so that they can be discharged to suitable housing.
February 2021
Tags: accessible housing, housing
Description:
This study audited 20 of the most popular house designs from Australia’s most active volume home builders. It found that many features of the Silver, Gold and Platinum levels of Livable Housing Australia’s (LHA) Livable Housing Design Guidelines are already incorporated into new dwellings produced by these builders.
Version 1.1 Updated February 2021.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Martel, A., Chen, Y., & Greaves, T. (2021). Audit of accessible features in new build house plans. Summer Foundation and the University of Melbourne.
January 2021
Tags: for policy makers
Description:
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants with high and complex needs can often experience difficulty in accessing high quality and effective support coordination. Without effective support coordination, it can be difficult to avoid or exit residential aged care (RAC). This position statement outlines the problems and what needs to change.
To discuss this further and to lend your support to our statement contact: [email protected]
January 2021
Tags: for policy makers
Description:
Funding for Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is not currently delivering the necessary outcomes for participants with high and complex needs. Changes are needed to ensure that this group receives the necessary support to avoid being stuck in hospital or forced into residential aged care (RAC).
This position statement outlines the problems and what needs to change. To discuss this further and to lend your support to our statement contact: [email protected]
January 2021
January 2021
Tags: housing
Description:
This report provides a comprehensive summary of the current supply of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in Australia. A national survey of SDA providers and developers was undertaken in October-November 2020. This survey offers insights into the SDA pipeline across Australia in 2020, and combines the survey results with the data published by the NDIA to provide the market an estimate of the supply pipeline. This report also provides insights into the experience of SDA providers. This includes their views about the SDA market as a whole, as well as plans they may have to develop further SDA.
This is the third annual report of its type, building on previous work of the Summer Foundation and Social Ventures Australia. The data in this report results from a survey of SDA providers in October and November 2020.
Previous editions of this report can be downloaded below.
Specialist Disability Accommodation Supply in Australia: March 2020
Specialist Disability Accommodation Supply in Australia: March 2019
Citation:
Housing Hub and Summer Foundation (2021). Specialist Disability Accommodation supply in Australia: January 2021.
December 2020
Tags: housing
Description:
Impact investment is gaining considerable momentum in Australia and is starting to engage mainstream investors, investment banks and super funds. Impact investments generate a positive and measurable social and/or environmental impact as well as a financial return for investors. One of the limiting factors for the growth of impact investment in Australia is the lack of products that have the capacity for investment at scale. The Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) market is well placed to leverage private capital. The aim of this report is to provide a plain language summary of the SDA market to support impact investors to make informed choices about SDA impact investment opportunities.
Citation:
Winkler, D., McLeod, J., Mulherin, P., Rathbone, A., & Ryan, M. (2020). Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) explainer for investors. Summer Foundation and JB Were.
October 2020
Tags: allied health, hospital discharge, NDIS, NDIS housing resources, support coordinator
Description:
The aim of this guide is to assist support coordinators and allied health professionals collaborate on Housing Plans for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants. Housing Plans rely on appropriately framed allied health assessments and reports to support the participant pursue their goals and aspirations.
October 2020
Tags: allied health, NDIS housing resources, support coordinator
Description:
In response to feedback from the SDA panel, the Summer Foundation has developed 2 new resources to help support coordinators and allied health professionals prepare an NDIS participant housing statement.
The Participant Housing Statement Template (with accompanying guide) seeks to ensure that the NDIA provides people with funding that reflects their preferred housing option.
October 2020
Tags: allied health, housing, NDIS housing resources, NDIS plan, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), support coordinator
Description:
How to write a Housing Plan – Guide and the Housing Plan Template have been created to help support coordinators write housing plans for NDIS participants who want to test their eligibility for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding. The purpose of a housing plan is to provide the NDIA with evidence that the person you’re working for requires SDA to reach their goals, maximise their independence, and social and economic participation. Download Housing Plan Template
The guide provides information on what to include to achieve the best possible outcome for the person you’re working for.
October 2020
Tags: disability support
Description:
This review aims to understand the factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability. The findings provide insights to PWD hiring and managing support, and facilitate the delivery of quality disability support.
Citation:
Topping, M., Douglas, J., & Winkler, D. (2020). Factors that influence the quality of paid support for adults with acquired neurological disability: Scoping review and thematic synthesis. Disability and Rehabilitation.
October 2020
Tags: for policy makers, NDIS participant, Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Description:
The Summer Foundation has extensive experience working alongside people with high and complex support needs to understand how to ensure that housing and support solutions can be developed according to their needs and preferences. We have undertaken demonstration projects and extensive research. Based on the outcomes of the research our understanding of what it takes to effectively support people with complex needs to live in the community has evolved.
Drawing on this, the Summer Foundation has outlined key problems with the current dominant SIL practice and set out a vision for a reformed SIL market.
October 2020
Tags: for policy makers
Description:
The Melbourne Disability Institute (MDI) and the Summer Foundation are pleased to provide this supplementary information following our meeting with representatives from the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and the Centre for International Economics (CIE) on 17 September. This supplementary information should be read in conjunction with our submission.
The time constraints during the online meeting of 17 September 2020 did not permit full discussion of important economic considerations associated with the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) or the qualitative study. Therefore, the following information is provided to assist CIE in their finalisation of their evaluation, and for the ABCB’s consideration of the results.
September 2020
Tags: for policy makers
Description:
Functional capacity is one of the key factors in determining eligibility for the NDIS. Functional capacity is the ability to be involved in different areas of life like home, school, work and the community and to carry out tasks and actions. It considers other factors in a person’s environment that may impact day-to-day life.
We want to see the NDIA take action to enable fast, fair and equitable decisions and these decisions need to be made with a strong evidence base. This requires NDIA funded and well-trained assessors who have experience working with people with disability.
Read our full position statement by clicking on the Download now button.
September 2020
Tags: allied health, NDIS housing resources, NDIS plan, support coordinator
Description:
This tool helps you think about where you want to live, who you would like to live with and the type of housing that you would like to live in. You can use this tool to tell your housing story and work out your housing goals. You can cut and paste the information from this tool into housing application forms.
September 2020
Tags: allied health, NDIS housing resources, support coordinator
Description:
‘Living more independently’ means living in a house (townhouse/duplex/apartment/other) where you get to decide what you do and how you live, and you only get as much support as you need.
This guide explains how to plan for and move from residential aged care (RAC), a group home or your parents’ home into appropriate mainstream housing or Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
September 2020
Tags: allied health, housing, support coordinator
Description:
This short video about Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and the accompanying flyers can be used by support coordinators to explain what SDA is to the people they are working with.
September 2020
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
This review maps the literature on the experiences and outcomes of young people with disability who are placed in aged care, and highlights the negative outcomes young people experience while living in aged care.
Citation:
Oliver, S., Gosden-Kaye, E., Jarman, H,, Winkler. D., & Douglas. J, (2020). A scoping review to explore the experiences and outcomes of younger people with disabilities in residential aged care facilities. Brain Injury
September 2020
Tags: for policy makers
Description:
This submission addresses the questions put forward in the Support Coordination Discussion Paper and highlights the need to improve the support coordination service model in a range of areas. These include ensuring access to adequate and timely support coordination; incorporating effective support coordination in the interface between the NDIS and mainstream health systems; support coordinators with specialist knowledge in housing for people with complex needs; easier access for participants to appropriately skilled and experienced support coordinators; encouraging innovation and the development of best practice approaches through training and development opportunities and Communities of Practice; and addressing conflicts of interests.
September 2020
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
This report utilises available administrative data to describe the characteristics and geographical distribution of young people in permanent residential aged care (RAC) in Australia in 2018-2019.
Citation:
Bishop, G., Rinehart, N., & Winkler, D. (2020). Young people in residential aged care (2018-2019): A snapshot. Summer Foundation.
September 2020
Tags: assistive technology
Description:
This review explores the impact of smart home and communication technology on the outcomes of people with disabilities and complex needs. It finds that smart home and communication technology can improve outcomes for people living with disabilities and complex needs. However, a number of factors impact the successful implementation of technology, including personalization, flexibility and ongoing support to the person with a disability and their close others.
Citation:
Jamwal, R., Jarman, H., Roseingrave, E., Douglas, J., & Winkler, D. (2020). Smart home and communication technology for people with disability: A scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation.
August 2020
Tags: for policy makers
Description:
The Melbourne Disability Institute (MDI) and the Summer Foundation are pleased to provide this submission in response to the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS). We have initiated three important pieces of research in response to the Consultation RIS, in order to further inform the ABCB and Ministers, viz: i) an independent review of the social cost benefit analysis; ii) a survey and interviews of people with disability that provide important new quantitative and qualitative data; and iii) an audit of accessible features in 20 new build, high volume house plans.
August 2020
Tags: for policy makers
Description:
The Summer Foundation is pleased to provide this submission in response to the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS).
The Summer Foundation endorses the stated objective of the RIS and proposes that it should include the word ‘all’: The objective of the regulatory proposal is to ensure that [all] new housing is designed to meet the needs of the community including older Australians and others with mobility limitations.
Summer Foundation maintains that accessible housing is for everyone, every time, every day.
It should not be regarded as ‘an optional extra’ or ‘for special people.’ The regulation of minimum standards of accessibility can bring significant benefits to the broader community and is in the public interest.
August 2020
Tags: allied health, NDIS housing resources, support coordinator
Description:
The SDA Rules 2020, released in June, increase a person’s choice and control about where they want to live and who they want to live with. The key changes are outlined in this resource.
August 2020
Tags: Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
The purpose of the directory is to provide information to hospital discharge teams and their patients about housing providers who may have suitable housing options for discharging patients who are NDIS participants, but are having difficulties locating suitable housing.
July 2020
Tags: allied health, NDIS, support coordinator, training
Description:
The UpSkill team have produced the following videos to capture the fundamentals of what you need to know when you are a support coordinator or private allied health professional. If you are attending any online or face-to-face UpSkill training, you should watch the UpSkill Fundamentals videos beforehand.
July 2020
Tags: health professional, health system, hospital discharge, NDIS participant, training
Description:
In striving for best practice outcomes for NDIS participants, a health service may use this resource to provide a framework in the provision of information, training and mentoring to staff for practice change.
July 2020
Tags: housing
Description:
This review determines what is currently known about outcomes associated with individualised housing for adults with disability and complex needs.
Citation:
Oliver, S., Gosden-Kaye, E., Winkler, D., & Douglas, J. (2020). The outcomes of individualized housing for people with disability and complex needs: A scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation.
July 2020
Tags: housing, NDIS housing resources, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
This resource provides an overview of housing options, including Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The role of SDA is explained along with how SDA payments, provided in an individual participant’s plan, flow through to a registered provider of SDA housing.
July 2020
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
This paper reports trends in the number of young people entering and exiting aged care. Many more young people are admitted to aged care each year than return to community living, with no sustained change between 2008 and 2018 at the national level.
Citation:
Brown, M., Bishop, G., Winkler, D., & Douglas, J. (2020). Young people in Australian residential aged care: Evaluating trends from 2008 to 2018. Australian Health Review.
June 2020
Tags: access request, hospital discharge
Description:
In some circumstances a person may be vulnerable to risk and need urgent supports. For example, they may be going back to live in a community setting with few supports of any kind after they are discharged from hospital, or they may not be able to return home and may be at risk of moving into a residential aged care facility.
Download a Word document template of the letter
June 2020
Tags: disability support, hospital discharge, support coordinator
Description:
Chris shares his journey from hospital to his new home and the value of having good support around you.
June 2020
Tags: health professional, hospital discharge, NDIS, training
Description:
These videos for health services are part of the NDIS Capacity building framework training manual.
May 2020
Tags: disability support
Description:
People with disability, especially those with underlying medical conditions, are disproportionately vulnerable during COVID-19. A national survey conducted in April 2020 obtained the perspective of 351 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants on their personal protective equipment (PPE) needs. The 30 question survey was designed to inform a national strategy to source PPE and provide an accessible distribution pathway to NDIS participants.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Douglas, J., Rinehart, N., Jamwal, R., Bishop, G., & Jarman, H. (2020). Personal protective equipment needs of NDIS participants during COVID-19: Preliminary results. Summer Foundation.
April 2020
Description:
The CDA Practice Guide details the steps involved in effective discharge planning for younger people under 65 with disability or complex support needs in hospital. It steps out collaborative actions between the NDIS, health, support coordination and housing, to facilitate timely discharge through access to necessary NDIS supports. Links to resources that align with specific actions are embedded within this guide.
April 2020
Tags: CDA, community, complex support, NDIS
Description:
A Collaborative Discharge Approach (CDA) is a process to ensure that people under 65 with disability or complex support needs in hospital can achieve an effective and timely discharge back into the community with National Disability Insurance System (NDIS) supports.
This overview provides a snapshot of how health can work with support coordinators to achieve this and includes links to resources that align with specific actions.
April 2020
Tags: NDIS participant, NDIS plan
Description:
Pre-planning is the process of developing a detailed plan that is individualised to the NDIS participant, prior to the planning meeting with an NDIS planner. This resource describes how to use NDIS language and descriptions for disability related supports. It includes an example of a pre-plan template that incorporates NDIS legislative requirements.
Download the pre-plan template.
March 2020
Tags: health professional, hospital discharge
Description:
This resource describes how an NDIS secondary consultation framework can guide health clinicians in sustainably building their knowledge and practice expertise, to achieve positive discharge outcomes for people eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
March 2020
Tags: health professional, hospital discharge
Description:
This guideline is relevant for health services staff working in a health setting with people with disability aged under 65. When assisting people with disability, there may be circumstances where internal and/or external interface practice issues occur that require escalation. Download a Word document version of the flowchart
March 2020
Tags: hospital discharge
Description:
The purpose of this resource is to assist health clinicians who are supporting a person with disability who is being considered for discharge as a result of COVID-19.
March 2020
Tags: health professional, hospital discharge, training
Description:
All health services are building their capacity in working with the NDIS and people with disability aged under 65. This resource contains health’ frequently asked questions (FAQs), and answers relating to a number of different topics.
Health services may choose to download the Word version of this resource and add their own FAQs to maximise local relevance.
March 2020
Tags: access request, NDIS
Description:
When making an access request to the NDIS, the NDIA requires supporting evidence about the person’s disability and how it impacts their everyday life. Supporting evidence can be in the form of an Access Request Form (ARF), or a supporting evidence report. This resource provides an example of a supporting evidence report template that reflects the NDIS legislative requirements.
March 2020
Tags: housing
Description:
Transitional services that bridge the gap between hospital and community can be effective in maximising the potential of people with disability and reducing admissions of young people to residential aged care (RAC). The purpose of this environmental scan was to scope current and recent transitional housing and support options suitable for people with disability and complex needs, and identify gaps in the system in order to provide an evidence base potential solutions.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Moore, S., Hilton, G., Bucolo, C., Mitsch, V., & Bishop, G. (2020). Transitional housing and support in Australia for people with disability: Environmental scan. Summer Foundation.
March 2020
Tags: housing
Description:
This report provides an update on the growth of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) across Australia and the potential undersupply for SDA. It shares for the first time insights into current market sentiment and typical SDA management arrangements.
Citation:
Social Ventures Australia and Summer Foundation (2020). Specialist Disability Accommodation supply in Australia: March 2020.
February 2020
Tags: disability support, independence, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Linda, Trevor’s Mum, shares how Trevor’s life has changed since he chose to live independently with support in an SDA apartment.
February 2020
Tags: accessible housing, NDIS, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Linda explains clearly the steps involved when looking for SDA.
She highlights the impact on her son, Trevor and herself since
he moved into an SDA apartment.
January 2020
Tags: disability support
Description:
Sharing stories of lived experience of disability presents an opportunity for meaningful occupational engagement, enabling social connectedness and contribution to society. This paper reports on the intersection of experiences between those sharing their story and those listening to the story.
Citation:
D’Cruz, K., Douglas, J., & Serry, T. (2020). Sharing stories of lived experience: A qualitative analysis of the intersection of experiences between storytellers with acquired brain injury and storytelling facilitators. British Journal of Occupational Therapy.
December 2019
Tags: hospital discharge, NDIS plan
Description:
An interim NDIS plan aims to facilitate a successful and timely discharge from hospital for NDIS participants. It is a 3–6 month plan that acts as a transition to a more extensive plan to be used post discharge.
December 2019
Tags: accessible housing, NDIS, nursing home, residential aged care (RAC), royal commission, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Lisa has lived in a nursing home for about 6 years. Her main goal was to get of the nursing home. Lisa shares how it feels to be preparing to move into an SDA apartment.
December 2019
Tags: complex support, NDIS, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Sam has moved from a group home into an SDA apartment. Sam would like to share with others things that helped this move. “We don’t know what we could be, but it is a lot more than they expect.”
December 2019
Tags: disability support
Description:
Adults with complex needs often require paid support to enable them to exercise choice and control and participate fully and effectively in society. Given support is so critical for this population, this review aims to further understand the factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability and complex needs.
Citation:
Topping, M., Douglas, J., & Winkler, D. (2019). Understanding the factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability and complex needs: A scoping review protocol. BMJ Open.
November 2019
Tags: accessible housing, complex support, independence, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Shanais describes how life changing it is to be living independently in an accessible apartment in Melbourne.
October 2019
Tags: accessible housing, disability support, independence
Description:
Cheryl and Gary describe their son, Ben’s journey to independence.
October 2019
Tags: health professional, hospital discharge, NDIS, training
Description:
This is a series of 4 webinars which cover the Introduction to the NDIS for health professionals.
September 2019
Tags: access request, NDIS plan, nursing home, residential aged care (RAC)
Description:
If you are working in a residential aged care facility, or a health service, you might be supporting a person with disability to submit this NDIS access request. This resource is designed to help.
September 2019
Tags: nursing home, residential aged care (RAC), royal commission, submission
Description:
Learn why the Aged Care Royal Commission needs to hear the
experiences of younger people who have experience living
in aged care, or who are at risk of going into aged care.
Listen to workshop participants as they tell their stories.
September 2019
Tags: nursing home, residential aged care (RAC), royal commission, submission
Description:
The submission identifies the key policy and systemic changes needed to stop young people being forced into aged care. It covers what needs to change and how it can happen.
August 2019
Tags: accessible housing, allied health, NDIS, NDIS housing resources, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), support coordinator
Description:
On this resource we detail one pathway to mainstream housing. If you have searched for mainstream housing and discovered you can’t access it because of your disability, you can test your eligibility for SDA on the second page.
August 2019
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
This report utilises available administrative data to describe the characteristics and geographical distribution of young people in permanent residential aged care (RAC) in Australia in 2017-2018.
Citation:
Bishop, G., Zail, J., Bo’sher, L., & Winkler, D. (2019). Young people in residential aged care (2017-2018): A snapshot. Summer Foundation.
July 2019
Tags: NDIS participant, NDIS plan, support coordinator
Description:
A support coordinator is someone paid by the NDIS to help you understand and implement your plan. They can help you with a range of of different things as outlined in this resource.
July 2019
Tags: allied health, NDIS, NDIS housing resources, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), support coordinator
Description:
This guide explains what Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) payments are, who they are paid to and how they are accessed. For people who have SDA payments included in their NDIS Plan, it explains how to make the most of this funding.
July 2019
Tags: allied health, NDIS, NDIS housing resources, NDIS plan, support coordinator
Description:
This guide explains how you can access and make the most of NDIS funding to look for housing. It explains the capacity building funding available to NDIS participants who need support to search for suitable housing. It also includes information on choosing your support coordinator and how to make the most of the funding.
Note that this guide replaces ‘Exploring Your Housing Options’.
June 2019
Tags: participant led videos, support worker, training
Description:
These resources can help you make a training video about what your support worker should know about you, how your support worker can support you to do something, or how your support worker should act with you.
Start by watching the ‘How To’ video and reading the Workbook. If you need someone else to help you make your video, there is also a guide.
There are 5 resources to help a person make their training video. Some of these are for the person themselves and some are for other people or organisations.
June 2019
Tags: accessible housing, independence, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Kirby had to move home to live with her parents after her injury. It was always Kirby’s dream to return to independent living. Carol and Kevin share their journey of supporting Kirby through the SDA process.
May 2019
Tags: hospital discharge, NDIS
Description:
After a hospital stay and her husband no longer her carer, Penny was unable to return home. She put in a change of circumstances to the NDIS. Penny now says her supports enable her to live the life she wants to live.
April 2019
Tags: community, disability support, independence, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Kirby finally has her own space again, making her own choices. See how SDA has helped Kirby’s dream to live independently again in her own home.
March 2019
Tags: housing
Description:
This report is the most comprehensive snapshot undertaken to date on how the market is responding to the opportunity to expand housing supply for people with disability. It highlights geographies and building types where the SDA market has had a strong early response, and shines a light on areas where SDA supply remains weak and needs more focus by providers and government.
Citation:
Social Ventures Australia and Summer Foundation (2019). Specialist Disability Accommodation supply in Australia: March 2019.
March 2019
Tags: rehabilitation
Description:
This paper focuses upon the experiences of eight adults with acquired brain injury who had participated in storytelling workshops facilitated by an advocacy organization. This study contributes to an emerging area of research and practice supporting positive identity growth following brain injury. The findings present substantial implications for goal setting and meaningful productive engagement in brain injury rehabilitation.
Citation:
D’Cruz, K., Douglas, K., & Serry, T. (2020). Narrative storytelling as both an advocacy tool and a therapeutic process. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation.
February 2019
Tags: allied health, NDIS housing resources, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), support coordinator
Description:
On 8 February 2019, the government announced ‘immediate reforms’ to Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) to improve choice and control for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants and boost market confidence. The changes arise from an Australian Government review in 2018 of the SDA Pricing and Payments Framework.
This summary provides background to the changes, what has changed now, and future changes to be brought in.
January 2019
Tags: assistive technology
Description:
This study examines the use of electronic assistive technology for social networking by people with disability living in shared supported accommodation (SSA), and compare participants’ Electronic Social Networking (ESN) integration with Australian ESN normative data.
Citation:
Jamwal, R., Enticott, J., Farnworth, L., Winkler, D., & Callaway, L. (2020). The use of electronic assistive technology for social networking by people with disability living in shared supported accommodation. Disability and Rehabilitation.
December 2018
Tags: complex support, disability support, NDIS participant, support coordinator
Description:
Linda Rossow, Independent Support Coordinator, explains her role as a support coordinator and what this means for the participants she works with.
December 2018
Tags: accessible housing, disability support, NDIS participant, support coordinator
Description:
Linda Rossow, Independent Support Coordinator, talks about the process she works through with participants who want to find somewhere different to live.
August 2018
Tags: disability support, NDIS
Description:
Connecting with the NDIS has been a long and complicated journey for Michael. By sharing his story he is hoping it will help others with disability trying to navigate the system. Story filmed in Nov 2017.
August 2018
Tags: community, disability support
Description:
Karen loves spending time with friends and family, but socialising is complicated when you now live an hour and a half away. Karen is hoping her story can help others.
August 2018
Tags: community, hospital discharge, occupational therapist
Description:
Donna King is an Occupational Therapist Case Manager. Donna discusses the importantce of communication after discharge and establishing community links.
August 2018
Tags: hospital discharge, occupational therapist
Description:
Donna King is an Occupational Therapist Case Manager working in the area of traumatic brain injury. Donna deals mainly with clients in rural locations. Donna says early contact is key to a good Discharge Plan.
August 2018
Tags: community, hospital discharge, support coordinator
Citation:
Chris was in hospital and rehab for 3 months. Chris’ explanation of that time was “I felt like a ping pong ball between the hospital and my care coordinator”.
August 2018
Tags: hospital discharge, nursing home, residential aged care (RAC)
Description:
Two and half years ago Chris was hospitalised. Chris knew he couldn’t return to his home in Launceston, he wanted to move closer to his parents on the north west coast of Tasmania. With no choices this would mean living in a nursing home.
August 2018
Tags: community, hospital discharge, housing
Description:
Danny has MS, he recently suffered an infection which resulted in a hospital stay, he was unable to return home. It is important to Danny’s family that he stays living on the northern beaches.
July 2018
Tags: community, health professional, health system, hospital discharge, NDIS plan, training
Description:
This toolkit includes tailored resources for health practitioners that cover the entire hospital journey for people with disabilities, from admission to discharge back into the community.
July 2018
Description:
No-one’s plans stay relevant forever. It’s worth taking time to think about and write down what changes you anticipate in your health or your circumstances. This guide is designed to:
– Guide your thinking
– Enable you to record any concerns you have about change
– Assist you to identify what you’d like to discuss
– Encourage you to build anticipated changes and support needs into your NDIS planning
July 2018
Tags: allied health, housing, NDIS housing resources, NDIS plan, support coordinator
Description:
Most people with disability will not get Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in their NDIS plan, but still want to choose where they live and who they live with. This guide is for you. It explains the different types of mainstream housing (any housing that is not SDA) and will help you look for housing that suits you.
July 2018
Tags: health professional, hospital discharge, NDIS
Description:
The NDIS is creating new possibilities for people with disability, but is a whole new world for health care professionals.
July 2018
Tags: disability support, NDIS, nursing home, residential aged care (RAC)
Description:
The story of the strong bond between brothers. Edris’ main goal for his brother, Masoud, is for him to move out of aged care. Edris is hoping the NDIS will assist with this.
July 2018
Tags: Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
The Specialist Disability Accommodation Pricing and Payments Framework is a new and innovative approach to encouraging high quality accessible housing in the market via incentive payments linked to individual participants.
This submission is made jointly by more than 20 organisations that are advocates for people with disability or providers of SDA housing and experienced with the way the SDA Framework is operating. The submission outlines key concerns about the SDA Framework that are hampering the potential to build a diverse, innovative and responsive SDA market meeting the housing needs and preferences of participants.
June 2018
Tags: health system
Description:
The implementation of the NDIS requires significant changes to the way state-based health systems operate within the new national system.
This paper examines the capacity, process and structural barriers that prevent coordination between the two systems and the issues specific to the NDIS/health interface, and provides solutions and recommendations for improving outcomes for NDIS participants with high and complex needs.
June 2018
Tags: nursing home, residential aged care (RAC)
Description:
The aim of this fact sheet is to describe these line items and to provide RACFs, NDIS plan managers and financial intermediaries with tailored information and guidance for the smooth implementation of this reform.
June 2018
Tags: NDIS plan, nursing home, residential aged care (RAC)
Description:
This information is for people with complex support needs, eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and who are preparing to move into a residential aged care facility (RACF), or are currently living in aged care – as well as their families, supporters, guardians and/or administrators.
This guide explains the different RACF fees and charges and whether or the not the NDIS will include funds in your NDIS Plan to pay them.
June 2018
Tags: allied health, NDIS, NDIS housing resources, NDIS plan, nursing home, residential aged care (RAC), support coordinator
Description:
This guide includes five sample plans for people in differing circumstances with examples of how the NDIS can support participants to exercise choice and control to lead an ordinary life.
These sample plans are to give you a place to start. We have also included a pre-planning tool to help you to develop your own plan so you can keep a record of your planning meeting. Download a Word document version of the Sample NDIS Plans
June 2018
Tags: community, support coordinator
Description:
Life can change in an instant. Matthew talks about his journey back into a new life in the community.
June 2018
Tags: disability support, NDIS, support coordinator
Description:
It’s been a bumpy road, but the NDIS is making a world of difference for Deborah.
June 2018
Tags: hospital discharge, NDIS, nursing home
Description:
Daniel went from hospital to a nursing home. He shares his experiences and ideas on how to improve the life of young people living in nursing homes.
June 2018
Tags: hospital discharge, nursing home, residential aged care (RAC)
Description:
It all started Christmas Eve 2015. Deborah went from thinking about what she was going to cook for Christmas Day, to being in intensive care with all her organs shutting down. That was the beginning of Deborah’s journey into aged care.
June 2018
Tags: hospital discharge, occupational therapist
Description:
Occupational Therapists share their experience of the hospital discharge process for people with a newly-acquired disability.
June 2018
Tags: hospital discharge
Description:
The aim of the discharge planning process is to improve the coordination of a person’s services post-discharge and reduce the likelihood of unplanned hospital re-admissions. This review sought to explore the current evidence base for hospital discharge planning for young adults (aged 18-64) with disability and complex support needs. Successful discharge planning for this group is complex and requires effective cooperation between health and disability services.
Citation:
Knox, L., Symmons, M., Douglas, J., Hilton, G., & Winkler, D. (2018). Hospital discharge planning for young people with complex disability: Literature review. Summer Foundation.
May 2018
Tags: Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) published a Specialist Disability Accommodation Provider and Investor Brief on 24 April 2018. The purpose of the Brief is to clarify the SDA Pricing and Payments framework for market providers.
The NDIA’s Brief is quite long, so we’ve made this summary of key points. For each point, we’ve included the related page number from the Brief. We also provide our early view on what we think the Brief is saying about how SDA will operate.
April 2018
Tags: health professional, health system, hospital discharge, rehabilitation, training
Description:
This toolkit provides targeted information for hospital discharge staff, and staff in acute and rehabilitation hospital settings, relating to the discharge of people aged under 65 years who have acquired a disability:
April 2018
Tags: complex support
Description:
How to write effective support documentation for people with disabilities and complex health and support needs seeking access to the NDIS.
March 2018
Tags: independence, nursing home, residential aged care (RAC), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
At the age of 19, Michelle suffered an asthma attack and spent nearly two years in a nursing home. This is Michelle’s journey to once again living independently.
March 2018
Tags: Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Knowing where Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is required, what people’s needs and preferences are and insights into new SDA being built allow investors, SDA developers and housing providers to plan with confidence. This report is the result of a collaboration between SGS Economics, the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute and the Summer Foundation.
Citation:
SGS Economics & Planning and Summer Foundation (2018). Specialist Disability Accommodation market insights.
March 2018
Tags: assistive technology
Description:
Smart home technologies are emerging as a useful component of support delivery for people with brain impairment. The objective of this paper is to present a systematic smart home technology training approach for people with brain impairment.
Citation:
Jamwal, R., Callaway, L., Winkler, D., Farnworth, L., & Tate, R. (2018). Evaluating the use of smart home technology by people with brain impairment: Protocol for a single-case experimental design. JMIR Research Protocols.
February 2018
Tags: complex support, housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
This document shares the practical elements of what is involved in creating housing projects that are suitable for people with complex needs and eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) payments. The report provides an overview and checklist for six stages of delivering SDA projects.
February 2018
Tags: housing
Description:
This report reviews and analyses the evidence on post-occupancy evaluation (POE) instruments suited to assessing dwellings for people with disability who require high levels of physical support. It aims to inform development of a rigorous framework for the POE of dwellings for people with disability who require high levels of physical support with a view to enabling providers to continually evaluate and improve the design and suitability of their housing.
Citation:
Wilkinson, A., Brackertz, N., Fotheringham, M., & Winkler, D. (2018). Housing for people with disability: Evidence review of post-occupancy evaluation instruments. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute
January 2018
Tags: complex support, housing, NDIS plan
Description:
This report sets out the current understanding of what is required to support a tenant with complex support needs to successfully transition to living in their new home, pursuing their goals and aspirations with as much independence and confidence as possible.
December 2017
Tags: allied health, NDIS housing resources, NDIS plan, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), support coordinator
Description:
For people receiving SDA payments, home ownership may also be an option. The NDIS participant, or their family, can buy a property and use their SDA payments to cover the mortgage.
This resource outlines the steps and requirements involved in using SDA payments to purchase your own property.
For a more detailed guide, please see the Housing Hub’s Building or buying your own SDA (July 2022)
November 2017
Tags: NDIS participant, support coordinator
Description:
Support Coordination plays a critical role in ensuring that NDIS participants are able to live a good life, especially those participants who are vulnerable and socially isolated. The result of an extensive review of literature and practice, this report provides practitioners with an overview of how the support coordination function is designed within the NDIS
November 2017
Tags: disability support
Description:
Tanya’s love and passionate advocacy for her husband has led to the life Simon is able to live today.
November 2017
Tags: accessible housing, disability support, independence
Description:
The motive to look for alternative accommodation for their son was two-fold: For Ben, it was about his independence; for Gary and Cheryl, it was about who would look after Ben in the future.
November 2017
Tags: accessible housing, independence
Description:
Choice and control: Living in his new supported accommodation is enabling James to increase his independence.
November 2017
Tags: accessible housing, disability support
Description:
Amy describes moving into her new supported accommodation as the biggest life-changing event since the onset of her disability.
November 2017
Tags: accessible housing, community
Description:
Tania and her family excitedly moved into their new home and began the journey of rebuilding their family roles.
August 2017
Tags: assistive technology
Description:
Electronic assistive technologies (EATs) are fast becoming considered an essential component of everyday life. To date, there has been little research on the use of EAT by people living in shared supported accommodation (SSA), one of the major community-based housing options for people with disability (PwD) in Australia.
Citation:
Jamwal, R., Callaway, L., Farnworth, L., and Winkler, D. (2018). Electronic assistive technology use in Australian shared supported accommodation: Rates and user characteristics. Disability and Rehabilitation.
August 2017
Tags: rehabilitation
Description:
The aim of this review is to identify published evidence on the use of personal narrative approaches in rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury and to synthesise the findings across this literature.
Citation:
D’Cruz, K., Douglas, K., & Serry, T. (2019). Personal narrative approaches in rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury: A synthesis of qualitative research. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation.
August 2017
Tags: housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
This joint Summer Foundation–PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) paper provides a broad overview of a mature Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) market from different perspectives.
This report aims to provide the information necessary to see the SDA market grow. It shares our vision of what a mature SDA market will look like, highlights 5 different types of market players involved and shares lessons learnt from the growth of other markets. It also identifies 9 key enablers that can be used to monitor the maturity of the SDA market.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Bo’sher, L., Taleporos, G., Brown, A., Gay, B., Hall, S., Lorenzo, R., Rutherford, T., Teschendorf, S., Tse, A., Yeo, M. (2017). Summer Foundation and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
April 2017
Tags: housing
Description:
This study investigated the most appropriate and beneficial shared home ownership models for people with disability. While shared ownership brings potential benefits such as can enhancing housing choice, security of tenure and sense of ownership, it can expose people to debt risks. Capital investment by people with disability into shared ownership may also reduce the overall cost of housing assistance required by government to overcome the supply gap.
Citation:
Wiesel, I., Bullen, J., Fisher, K., Winkler, D., & Reynolds, A. (2017). Shared home ownership by people with disability. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute
February 2017
Tags: assistive technology
Description:
This study aimed to identify electronic assistive technology types used by people with acquired brain injury living in shared supported accommodation, assess user satisfaction and psychosocial impact of electronic assistive technology, detail the impact of technology use on respondents’ participation and support needs, and describe barriers and/or facilitators to electronic assistive technology uptake and ongoing use.
Citation:
Jamwal, R., Callaway, L., Ackerl, J., Farnworth, L., & Winkler, D. (2017). Electronic assistive technology used by people with acquired brain injury in shared supported accommodation: Implications for occupational therapy. British Journal of Occupational Therapy
December 2016
Tags: complex support, disability support, support coordinator
Description:
This comprehensive guide explains 24-hour support options for people with disability and complex needs, detailing how people can live more independently in their own homes. By coordinating factors such as housing location, design, advanced communication and environmental control technology – together with new ways of delivering support – best practice 24- hour support doesn’t need to involve a continual staff presence
November 2016
Tags: health professional, hospital discharge, nursing home, residential aged care (RAC), support coordinator
Description:
If Vicki had more health support at crucial times following her injury her four year stay in a nursing home could have been avoided.
September 2016
Tags: accessible housing, housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Summer Foundation Tenants discuss the anticipation of moving into their new homes.
July 2016
April 2016
Tags: accessible housing, community
Description:
Greg is a typical Aussie bloke who has experienced a lot of life and has a quirky sense of humour to match. After being attacked by a gang on a train, Greg has been slowly gaining his freedom back thanks to extensive therapy and suitable housing.
April 2016
Tags: community participation
Description:
This paper has four aims: (i) develop and pilot items assessing ESN to add to the Community Integration Questionnaire, producing the Community Integration Questionnaire-Revised (CIQ-R); (ii) examine factor structure of the CIQ-R; (iii) collect Australian CIQ-R normative data; and (iv) assess test-retest reliability of the revised measure.
Citation:
Callaway, L., Winkler, D., Tippett, A., Herd, N., Migliorini, C., & Willer, B. (2016). The Community Integration Questionnaire – Revised: Australian normative data and measurement of electronic social networking. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.
March 2016
January 2016
Tags: community participation
Description:
This article examines the opportunities young people with acquired brain injury have to make everyday choices after moving out of residential aged care into community-based shared supported accommodation.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Callaway, L., Sloan, S., & Holgate, N. (2015). Everyday choice making: Outcomes of young people with acquired brain injury after moving from residential aged care to community-based supported accommodation. Brain Impairment.
October 2015
Tags: housing
Description:
The aim of the Social Finance Think Tank was to explore the development of a model of social finance for the Summer Foundation’s Housing Demonstration Projects for young people in nursing homes. The Think Tank’s initial work focused on the development of a model of social finance specifically for the Hunter Housing Demonstration Project, which was due for completion in December 2015.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Reynolds, A., Klein, L., & McLeod, J. (2015). Housing for young people in nursing homes: A report from the Social Finance Think Tank. Summer Foundation and JB Were.
February 2015
Tags: nursing home, residential aged care (RAC), submission
Description:
A Federal Government Senate Inquiry into the ‘Adequacy of existing residential care arrangements available for young people with severe physical, mental or intellectual disabilities in Australia was announced in December 2014. The Senate Committee for Community Affairs was interested in hearing from individuals and families about their experiences of RAC.
September 2014
Tags: community
Description:
The Community Integration Questionnaire is a tool used by researchers to gather information about how connected people are to their communities.
This paper revises the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ-R), an instrument for assessing outcomes of rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury (TBI), including the goals of people living with the effects of TBI.
The Summer Foundation has produced a video that explains how to use our CIQ-R. You can also download the scoring guidelines.
Please complete this order form if you would like a hard copy of this resource.
Citation:
Callaway, L., Winkler, D., Tippett, A., Migliorini, C., Herd, N., & Willer, B. (2014). The Community Integration Questionnaire – Revised. Summer Foundation.
June 2012
Tags: housing
Description:
This article explores the living situation, support and participation outcomes of people with severe acquired brain injury residing in either home-like or disability-specific accommodation settings, who were provided with 3 years of occupational therapy intervention based on the Community Approach to Participation
Citation:
Sloan, S., Callaway, L., Winkler, D., McKinley, K., & Ziino, C. (2012). Accommodation outcomes and transitions following community-based intervention for individuals with acquired brain injury. Brain Impairment.
June 2012
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
This evaluation of quality of life outcomes for Victorian YPIRAC participants demonstrated improvements in quality of life for the majority of service users as well as their family members. This evaluation involved interviews with 68 people with disabilities who had received YPIRAC services.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Holgate, N., Sloan, S., & Callaway, L. (2012). The Victorian younger people in residential aged care initiative: Evaluation of quality of life outcomes. Summer Foundation.
August 2011
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
This paper examines the progress and effect of the current 5-year $244 million national Young People in Residential Aged Care program on the reduction of young people in aged care. It highlights the challenges of achieving a long-term reduction in the number of young people in residential aged care, including the challenge of achieving systemic change to prevent new admissions.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Farnworth, L., Sloan, S., & Brown, T. (2011). Young people in aged care: Progress of the current national program. Australian Health Review.
January 2011
Tags: housing
Description:
The objective of the current study is to explore the transition experiences of young people with acquired brain injury who have lived in aged care facilities and moved into community-based settings.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Farnworth, L., Sloan, S., & Brown, T. (2011). Moving from aged care facilities to community-based accommodation: Outcomes and environmental factors. Brain Injury.
December 2010
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
The aim of this article is to describe the characteristics, needs and preferences of people under 50 with an acquired brain injury living in residential aged care in Victoria and examine implications for service development.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Sloan, S., & Callaway, L. (2010). People under 50 with acquired brain injury living in residential aged care. Brain Impairment.
December 2010
Tags: housing
Description:
The aims of this article are twofold: (1) to describe the characteristics, support needs and level of community inclusion of people with an acquired brain injury living in shared supported accommodation in Victoria and (2) to compare the characteristics, support needs, social contact, community integration and leisure participation of this group with a group of people with ABI under 50 years old living in RAC reported in a previous study.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Farnworth, L., Sloan, S., Brown, T., & Callaway, L. (2010). Comparison of people with ABI living in two accommodation settings: Shared supported accommodation and residential aged care. Brain Impairment.
December 2009
Tags: community participation
Description:
This study investigates the participation outcomes of individuals with severe acquired brain injury (ABI) who were provided with up to 12 months of intervention based on the Community Approach to Participation (CAP).
Citation:
Sloan, S., Callaway, L., Winkler, D., McKinley, K., Ziino, C., & Anson, K. (2009). The community approach to participation: Outcomes following acquired brain injury intervention. Brain Impairment.
December 2009
Tags: community participation
Description:
This article examines the care and support and participation outcomes for individuals with severe acquired brain injury provided with three consecutive years of Community Approach to Participation (CAP) intervention.
Citation:
Sloan, S., Callaway, L., Winkler, D., McKinley, K., Ziino, C., & Anson, K. (2009). Changes in care and support needs following community-based intervention for individuals with acquired brain injury. Brain Impairment
December 2007
Tags: rehabilitation
Description:
This paper aims to investigate care needs, functional outcome, role participation and community integration approximately nine years following severe brain injury. It also aims to gain an understanding of the ongoing cost of care and support needs for this group.
Citation:
Sloan, S., Winkler, D., and Anson, K. (2007). Long-term outcomes following traumatic brain injury. Brain Impairment
December 2007
Tags: housing
Description:
The purpose of the present article is to describe the issues associated with providing lifelong accommodation and support to people with severe brain injury, neurobehavioural disability, and overt challenging behaviours. In particular, the article focuses on two groups of people within an Australian context: (a) those who live in community settings but whose behaviour is not adequately managed even by specialist outreach behaviour management services, and (b) those who are confined to aged care residential facilities and who show challenging behaviour.
Citation:
Kelly, G., and Winkler, D. (2007). Long-term accommodation and support for people with higher levels of challenging behaviour. Brain Impairment
January 2007
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
As part of the my future my choice initiative in Victoria, people less than 50 years of age living in RAC were offered an individualised planning and assessment process to assist them and their family or key others to consider their specific healthcare and accommodation needs, aspirations and other important lifestyle factors. It provided an opportunity to explore options and consider models of care to best meet each individual’s needs and preferences.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Sloan, S., & Callaway, L. (2007). Younger people in residential aged care: Support needs, preferences and future directions. Summer Foundation.
February 2006
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
This article describes the characteristics of people under 60 years of age living in residential aged care in Victoria and examines the occupational participation of younger residents in aged care facilities by measuring their social contact, participation in recreation and community access.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Farnworth, L., & Sloan, S. (2006). People under 60 living in aged care facilities in Victoria. Australian Health Review.
January 2006
Tags: community participation
Description:
This article aims to assess and identify predictive factors of community integration of people 3 to 15 years after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). It finds that interventions that minimize challenging behavior and disability may make a significant difference to the level of community integration experienced by people with severe TBI.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Unsworth, C., Sloan, S. (2006). Factors that lead to successful community integration following severe traumatic brain injury. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation
August 2005
Tags: community participation
Description:
This paper explores the role of occpational therapists, and describes principles of practice, in supporting and fostering friendships following traumatic brain injury.
Citation:
Callaway, L., Sloan, S., & Winkler, D. (2005). Maintaining and developing friendships following severe traumatic brain injury: Principles of occupational therapy practice. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
April 2005
Tags: community participation
Description:
The aim of this study was to compare the time use of 37 people more than three years post injury with time use in the general Australian population. This time use study was part of a broader research project, which examined community integration and factors that lead to successful community integration. The results of this study were that the TBI sample spent less time in employment related activities and more time on personal care than the general population.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Unsworth, C., & Sloan, S. (2005). Time use following a severe traumatic brain injury. Journal of Occupational Science
May 2004
Tags: community participation
Description:
This paper examines traumatic brain injury (TBI) community integration outcome literature and selected theoretical models. It also describes a Community Approach to Participation (CAP), an individualised and collaborative model of community-based practice, which endeavours to address the poor outcomes identified following TBI.
Citation:
Sloan, S., Winkler, D., & Callaway, L. (2004). Community integration following severe traumatic brain injury: Outcomes and best practice. Brain Impairment
The Summer Foundation welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA, Agency) consultation into Home and Living and the focus on person-centred supports, flexible funding and an ordinary life in the community. Our submission responds to the key themes in the consultation paper and makes recommendations to uphold human rights, increase participant choice and control, and build capability among people with disability, families and the disability sector.The proposed Home and Living Policy is a significant step towards securing better outcomes for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS, Scheme) participants. A flexible and responsive Home and Living Policy is essential to stop younger people with disability being forced into Residential Aged Care (RAC) and to meet the outcomes outlined in the Younger People in Residential Aged Care ActionPlan.
The Summer Foundation is hopeful that the recommendations in this consultation paper will support the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA)Home and Living Policy to ensure participants are at the centre of their plans and are supported to live an ordinary life.