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There are 4 ways to search for information using the Filter Resources boxes below. You can type your key words in the first box or filter by category, tags or year of publication.
July 2025
Tags: disability support, housing
Description:
This study analysed publicly available submission data from the DRC to better understand the housing and support needs, preferences and experiences of people with complex disability and their supporters. The findings provide critical insights to inform the co-design of user-led housing and support solutions that deliver better outcomes for people with disability.
Citation:
D’Cruz, K., Carey, F., Witts, L., Spence, J., Mulherin, P., Topping, M., Winkler, D. and Douglas, J. (2025), Understanding the Housing and Support Experience of People With Complex Disability in Australia: A Qualitative Analysis of Submissions to the Disability Royal Commission. Aust J Soc Issues. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.70038
July 2025
Tags: disability support
Description:
This qualitative study explores how adults with complex disability experience and manage their supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Citation:
Brown Mark, D’Cruz Kate, Oliver Stacey, Winkler Di, Douglas Jacinta (2025) Understanding the NDIS experience: a qualitative study on participant perspectives. Brain Impairment 26, IB24103.
https://doi.org/10.1071/IB24103
June 2025
Tags: housing
Description:
The purpose of this final report is to present the participation outcomes, successes, and keyareas for improvement in the Pilot Project. The report aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of residents’ experiences and how these evolve over time.
Citation:
Dr Megan Topping, Dr Stacey Oliver & Emeritus Professor Jacinta Douglas
June 2025
Tags: accessible housing
Description:
The Summer Foundation welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to inform the Queensland Productivity Commission inquiry regarding opportunities to improve productivity in the construction sector.
This submission provides a brief general response outlining why the existing LHDS should be maintained.
May 2025
Tags: accessible housing
Description:
The Summer Foundation welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to inform the New South Wales (NSW) approach to the Livable Housing Design Standards (LHDS) in the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022.
The Summer Foundation strongly supports the adoption of Option 3 (Adopt the LHDS with exemptions). This is consistent with the NSW Building Better Homes campaign position. The Summer Foundation believes this represents a reasonable and pragmatic approach for NSW to join the rest of the nation in delivering mandatory accessibility standards in all new builds. This will also allow the government to consider reasonable time-limited exemptions for NSW in consultation with industry and the community sector.
May 2025
Tags: disability support, multiple sclerosis
Description:
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) live with a progressive condition that can result in complex disability support needs. Consequently, they may require specialised care and assistive technology to maintain independence at home. It is essential to develop an understanding of the support needs and preferences of people with MS to maintain independence and enhance their quality of life.
Citation:
April 2025
Tags: acquired disability, disability support
Description:
Peer support is a promising adjunct to traditional rehabilitation methods for helping adults with acquired neurological disability adjust to and navigate life with a disability. However, there is limited guidance on how to implement peer support for this cohort. To help inform peer support practices, the aim of this scoping review is to determine what is currently known about the peer support needs, preferences and experiences of adults with acquired neurological disability.
Citation:
April 2025
Tags: acquired disability, complex support, research
Description:
Thirteen adults with severe ABI participated, with average age of 36.7 yrs at the time of injury, 9.1 months length of stay of in inpatient rehabilitation, and 4 years post discharge from hospital at time of interviews.
The core category developed from thematic analysis was ‘lack of focus on community and social participation.’ Additional categories included: restricted participation, a focus on impairment and function, acceptance and connection within the community, influence of family and delayed return to community participation.
Citation:
Currie, S., Douglas, J., D’Cruz, K., & Winkler, D. (2025). “Part of the world again”: qualitative enquiry into community participation during inpatient rehabilitation and transition years following severe brain injury, Brain Injury, DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2024.2443772
April 2025
Tags: acquired disability, hospital discharge, NDIS, research
Description:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) are both major contributors to permanent disability globally, with an estimated 27 million new cases of TBI and 0.93 million new cases of SCI globally in 2016. In Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support to people with disability.
Reports from the NDIS suggest that the cost of support for people with TBI and SCI has been increasing dramatically, and there is a lack of independent analysis of the drivers of these increases.
This data linkage seeks to better understand the participant transition between rehabilitation hospitals and the NDIS and the correlation between functional independence in rehabilitation and resource allocation in the NDIS.
Citation:
March 2025
Tags: family, individualised housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Despite the shift towards individualised disability housing models there is limited research to inform best practice. The study aimed to understand more about the experience of people with disability moving into Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), from the perspectives of family members. This paper presents qualitative findings of interviews with 12 family members of people who had moved into SDA. Interviews were conducted during the transitional period, as the person with disability moved from living in group homes, residential aged care, or with family into SDA apartments.
We found that while the move to SDA apartments has benefits for people with disability and their families, it is also characterised by adjustment challenges and stresses. Our findings illustrate the need for considered planning and support for family members of people with disabilities moving into individualised housing.
Citation:
F. Carey, E. R. Minter, K. D’Cruz, J. Douglas, D. Winkler & P. Mulherin (01 Mar 2025): “It’s going to be huge”: family member experiences of the transition into individualised housing for people with disability, Disability and Rehabilitation, DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2469767
February 2025
Tags: accessible housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Around the world, the disability rights movements and the social model of disability have placed emphasis on the importance of social participation for people with disability. People with physical disability who have high and complex support needs often need support to access their communities, however, very little is known about the interaction between support and social participation for this population of people.
Therefore, the aim of this scoping review is to explore the literature related to the interaction between support and social participation for adults with disability and understand any existing gaps in the literature where further research may be required in order to maximise quality support and social participation.
Citation:
Jamwal, R., Aimers, N., D’Cruz, K., Finis, C., & Winkler, D. (2025). Innovation in accessible housing: Lived experience insights from co-design workshops. Melbourne, Australia: Summer Foundation.
January 2025
Tags: disability support, NDIS
Description:
The Summer Foundation welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to inform the approach to registration of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants who self-direct their NDIS-funded supports. The Summer Foundation’s position is that the considered design of the system of proportionate regulation – including this component (people who self-direct their supports) – is key to ensuring that the NDIS can achieve its original intent of supporting the independence and social and economic participation of people with disability.
The registration for NDIS participants who self-direct their supports must:
● Have a focus on participant outcomes and achieving the overall intent of the NDIS, with particular reference to enabling people with disability to exercise choice and control in the pursuit of their goals and the planning and delivery of their supports
● Maintain and encourage flexibility and innovation in how NDIS participants can engage their supports
● Balance dignity of risk and strengthen safeguards where required
December 2024
Tags: complex support, neurological disability, peer support
Description:
Peer support is a promising adjunct to traditional rehabilitation methods for helping adults with acquired neurological disability adjust to and navigate life with a disability. However, there is limited guidance on how to implement peer support for this cohort. To help inform peer support practices, the aim of this scoping review is to determine what is currently known about the peer support needs, preferences and experiences of adults with acquired neurological disability.
Citation:
Wellecke C, Douglas J, Winkler D, et al. Peer support needs, preferences and experiences of adults with acquired neurological disability: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open 2024;14:e088237. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2024-088237
November 2024
Tags: disability support
Description:
Around the world, the disability rights movements and the social model of disability have placed emphasis on the importance of social participation for people with disability. People with physical disability who have high and complex support needs often need support to access their communities, however, very little is known about the interaction between support and social participation for this population of people.
Therefore, the aim of this scoping review is to explore the literature related to the interaction between support and social participation for adults with disability and understand any existing gaps in the literature where further research may be required in order to maximise quality support and social participation.
Download a summary of the research here.
Citation:
Evans R, Douglas J, Winkler D, Cubis L. Understanding the interaction between support and social participation for people with physical disabilities: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open 2024;14:e083102.
October 2024
Tags: housing
Description:
The Summer Foundation welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to inform the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s (the NDIS Commission) development of a graduated risk-proportionate regulatory model for the provision of disability services and the updating of the practice standards for in-home and housing supports.
The Summer Foundation’s position is that the considered design of the system of proportionate regulation is key to ensuring that the NDIS can achieve its original intent of supporting the independence and social and economic participation of people with disability.
In this approach, regulation must:
October 2024
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
The enduring research partnership between the Summer Foundation and La Trobe University’s Living with Disability Research Centre is testament to what is possible when rigorous academic methods are applied to real-world problems.
The breadth of the Summer Foundation’s research program continues to grow, with over 30 different research or industry reporting projects continuing or starting in 2023/24. The team worked on projects covering topics as broad as younger people in residential aged care (RAC), hospital discharge, the disability housing market, and factors contributing to quality disability support.
This report outlines the research undertaken in 2023/24 as part of the program, our aims and our outputs.
September 2024
Description:
The Summer Foundation welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs inquiry into the Aged Care Bill 2024 (the Bill). The intent of the Bill must be for people under the age of 65 to only enter aged care when it is the most appropriate option. The Summer Foundation believe there must be some additional changes to the Bill to ensure aged care is preserved for supporting older people and does not become a substitute for a lack of access to appropriate housing.
We recommend the Bill is changed to ensure determinations of eligibility do not create a pathway for any younger person to enter residential aged care, regardless of First Nations or housing status. In addition, being ‘homeless’ or ‘at risk of homelessness’ must be defined to ensure that appropriate service systems have fulfilled their responsibilities, and provisions that relate to First Nations people must be designed and implemented with these communities. Finally, individuals electing to enter aged care under 65 must have been able to test access to other systems in order to make an informed decision about their housing and support.
September 2024
Tags: accessible housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Housing with livable and accessible design is crucial for meeting the needs of all Australians with mobility impairments, including people with disability and older people. From experience, we know the housing industry will not adopt accessibility standards unless they are regulated and mandated.
The Building Better Homes Campaign is advocating for Australia’s Disability Strategy to include an action in the proposed new housing Targeted Action Plan (TAP) for all states and territories to implement the 2022 National Construction Code Livable Housing Design Standards. It should also support accountability on the implementation of the mandatory standards by requiring all states and territories to report regularly on the implementation of the accessibility standards.
August 2024
Tags: accessible housing, disability support, housing
Description:
The Summer Foundation’s Innovation in housing and living for people with disability: Environmental scan report, has identified promising models of innovation that can create alternative options to group homes, spanning housing, support and technology.
The report shows that while there are only pockets of innovation in Australia, other countries have managed to scale up innovative models of housing and living supports that are delivering better outcomes for people with disability, and are more cost-effective.
Read a summary of the report here
Citation:
Morgan, A. J., Aimers, N., & Winkler, D. (2024). Innovation in housing and living for people with disability: Environmental scan report. Melbourne, Australia: Summer Foundation.
August 2024
Tags: disability support, NDIS
Description:
The Summer Foundation welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the consultation on the draft lists of NDIS supports.
While more clarity and guidance on what supports participants can spend their funding on may be helpful, there is a risk that prescriptive lists of what should or shouldn’t be funded by the NDIS may lead to worse outcomes for participants. This includes potentially driving participants towards more costly disability services. It may also exclude people from mainstream services and force them into segregated settings.
It is critical that the proposed lists have sufficient flexibility for the purchase of cost effective goods and services that will increase independence and community participation, while reducing reliance on paid disability support workers.
August 2024
Tags: disability support, housing
Description:
People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have unique housing and support needs that are essential for maintaining independence at home; however, there is limited research to guide the design of community living options for this population. The aim of this study was to examine housing and support needs and preferences of people with MS with the intention to inform the planning of a co-designed intervention based on the study’s findings.
Citation:
Lee Cubis, Megan Topping, Sharyn McDonald, Fiona Fisher E, Pamela Dean, Kate D’Cruz, Robin Ramme, Di Winkler, and Jacinta Douglas. Using the Knowledge to Action framework to improve housing and support for people with Multiple Sclerosis.
May 2024
Tags: accessible housing, housing
Description:
Building Better Homes, Summer Foundation and Melbourne Disability Institute are pleased to make a submission in response to the Australian Human Rights Commission Draft Guidelines for Access and Inclusion in Residential Development.
We are committed to working closely with the Australian Human Rights Commission to ensure people with disability can live in accessible housing by mandating minimum accessible standards.
The most effective vehicle for achieving accessible housing is through mandatory standards in the National Construction Code. This was also recommended by both the Disability Royal Commission and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Review.
Rather than developing a new set of guidelines, we believe the Australian Human Rights Commission should be strongly advocating for all states and territories to implement the mandatory Liveable Housing Australia silver level standards in the 2022 National Construction Code, and the LHA gold level standards for social housing.
May 2024
Tags: NDIS
Description:
The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 (the Bill) introduces an initial tranche of legislation to deliver on the recommendations made by the NDIS Review. This is an important first step to getting the NDIS working properly for the most vulnerable participants who need access to 24/7 support.
Getting the access and planning process right is critical to an improved participant experience, and to the sustainability of the Scheme. Central to this is adopting a participant-first culture and recognising participants as experts in their own lives. Removing unnecessary bureaucracy and being more respectful of the needs, preferences and choices of people with disability will better serve participants and ensure a sustainable Scheme and broader ecosystem of disability supports.
April 2024
Tags: accessible housing, housing
Description:
New research by the Summer Foundation sought to understand the perspectives of practicing design and professionals in delivering new housing in Australia to integrate accessible design standards.
Research participants were involved in detailed one on one interviews to deeply understand their perspectives. Research participants had from 12 to 40 years experience in the industry, and included, six builders, five registered architects, two building developers and three access consultants.
This research provides new evidence about what the design and construction sector needs to successfully implement mandatory accessibility standards as outlined in the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC) at a Livable Housing Australia Design Silver Standard.
Download a summary of the research here.
Citation:
Winkler, D., Liddicoat, S., D’Cruz, K., Wellecke, C., Mulherin, P., & Douglas, J. (2024). Supporting the design and construction sector to transition to minimum accessible standards in new homes: A qualitative study. Summer Foundation.
February 2024
Tags: disability support, NDIS
Description:
The Summer Foundation is pleased to make a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS on NDIS participant experience in rural, regional and remote Australia. The complexity of the NDIS system creates additional disadvantages and barriers for people with disability living in rural, regional and remote locations where there may be a lack of quality housing and supports available. This often means that NDIS participants in these locations are not able to benefit from the NDIA and are not supported to achieve their goals. These inequities make the NDIS less effective for them and often results in reduced support, misused or wasted NDIS resources and poor outcomes for NDIS participants and their families.
Authentic collaboration between government and the sector will support innovation in cost-effective housing and living solutions that improve the outcomes of people with disability no matter where they live. The Summer Foundation has been partnering with people with disability in the co-design, implementation and evaluation of strategies, to ensure the developed solutions systematically improve housing and living outcomes for people with disability.
February 2024
Tags: disability support
Description:
People with acquired neurological disability have the right to quality disability support, yet there is still limited user insights shaping disability services. This research aimed to develop a comprehensive understanding of quality support for adults with acquired neurological disability. The results reveal a holistic model of quality support grounded in the lived experience of people with acquired neurological disability, disability support workers and close others of people with disability. The model encompasses themes around autonomy, relationships, worker competency, team dynamics, provider practices, and sector considerations. The findings align with disability rights and individualised funding principles, emphasising the centrality of people with lived experience in shaping support services.
You can read a summary of the report here.
Citation:
Topping, M., Douglas, J., Winkler, D. (2024). Building an evidence-based multi-level system of quality disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability. Disability and Rehabilitation
February 2024
Tags: NDIS, residential aged care (RAC)
Description:
The Summer Foundation is pleased to make a submission on the exposure draft of the Bill for the new Aged Care Act. We welcome the proposed eligibility criteria for entry into the aged care system, which is a necessary measure in closing the door to younger people entering aged care.
However, this is not enough on its own to ensure younger people do not unnecessarily enter residential aged care (RAC). Increased investment into other service sectors is also required to meet the needs of younger people. Younger people in and at risk of RAC must have access to a range of safe housing and living alternatives so they can exercise true choice and control over where they live.
The new Aged Care Act should fill an existing gap and specify that state and territory governments must take all reasonable steps to secure appropriate community based housing and living supports for younger people who are ineligible for funded aged care services.
February 2024
Tags: NDIS
Description:
The NDIS Review recommended a suite of reforms that have the potential to transform disability housing in Australia. Ensuring housing and living supports are fit-for-purpose meets the needs of NDIS participants and is critical to overall scheme sustainability.
While the sustainability of the NDIS depends on innovation in service delivery, there is little detail in the NDIS Review on how innovation will happen. More home and living demand data from the NDIA and increased investment in university-based research alone are not going to result in the scale of transformation needed in the disability sector in Australia. Real housing and living solutions need to be both evidence-based and co-designed.
The Summer Foundation is committed to working with and for Australians with disability and government to deliver innovative solutions that improve housing and living outcomes.
February 2024
Description:
To date there has been limited investment in Australia to support people with disability living in supported accommodation to understand their rights, make complaints and raise issues with accommodation and support providers. The desktop scan identified tools and resources that could be modified to provide clear information to meet this gap. These cover a breadth of resources to support residents to be informed about rights, to stay safe, speak out and to raise issues or concerns when living in supported accommodation.
You can read a summary of the report here.
Citation:
Dearn, E., D’Cruz, K., Winkler, D., Douglas, J. (2024) Melbourne, Australia: Summer Foundation
January 2024
Tags: disability support, NDIS
Description:
The Summer Foundation’s Federal Pre-Budget Submission 2024-25 builds on the NDIS Review final report and supporting analysis, reflecting the investments that are needed to address current service gaps, move the NDIS towards an evidence based scheme and improve outcomes for people with disability.
Over the last decade there has been a distinct lack of innovation in disability housing and support in Australia. Investment in innovation and practical research to inform the development of inclusive housing and efficient support that deliver better outcomes for people with disability is critical to the future of the scheme and the broader disability ecosystem.
January 2024
Tags: Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
There is limited research to inform best practice in individualised disability housing. To develop effective policy and inform the SDA market, the experiences of people moving into SDA must be understood. This study aimed to understand the experience of moving into SDA for people with acquired complex disability. The findings of this study provide insights into the transition experience of moving into, and living in, newly built SDA. Better outcomes will benefit people with disability, providers, and investors, but also the federal government as it addresses the rising costs of the NDIS.
Citation:
Douglas J., Winkler D., D’Cruz K., Oliver S., Liddicoat S., Naismith J., & Wakim D. (2024) Being a pioneer: a qualitative study of moving into individualised housing from the perspective of adults with neurological disability. Brain Impairment.
January 2024
Tags: hospital discharge
Description:
Discharge planning is the organisation of medical needs, supports, allied health professionals and community-based rehabilitation services for a person to receive once they leave hospital. This can be a complex and lengthy process when a person has acquired disability and complex support needs. As a result, the experience of transitioning from hospital to home is often stressful. A scoping review by La Trobe University and the Summer Foundation explored peer reviewed studies that reported on hospital discharge outcomes for people with acquired disability and complex support needs. The research presented 4 main principles
relating to successful hospital discharge, which informed 6 recommendations for better discharge outcomes.
You can read summary of the report here.
Citation:
Cubis L., Roseingrave E., Gosden-Kaye E. , Winkler D., Douglas J. ‘Well, what are you going to do when you’re out there?’: a scoping review of successful hospital discharge for people with acquired disability and complex needs aged 18–65 years. Brain Impairment
November 2023
Tags: disability support, NDIS plan, support coordinator, Support resources
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.
November 2023
Tags: aged care, residential aged care (RAC), YPIRAC
Description:
The Federal Government is developing a new Aged Care Act to replace existing legislation. The Summer Foundation welcomes the proposed change that “apart from First Nations persons, or people at risk of homelessness, no other younger persons will be able to access funded aged care services.”
A sustainable solution to the issue of young people in residential aged care (YPIRAC) requires completely closing the door to aged care for younger people.
These amendments are a vital part of important aged care reforms, as recommended by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Rather than using aged care as the provider of last resort, public money should be put to better use to fix gaps and failures in disability, health and housing service systems and develop alternative pathways that enable people under 65 to live in the community.
November 2023
Tags: aged care, residential aged care (RAC), YPIRAC
Description:
Addressing the level and scope of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation evidenced in the Disability Royal Commission’s final report is a monumental task. It is critical that the people with disability who gave so much to the DRC benefit from some quick wins as well as see tangible actions to address some of the more complex and systemic challenges.
The emphasis on inclusive housing and inclusive lives in the final report is welcomed. Social connection and access to the community reduces the risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Federal, state and territory governments need to partner with people with disability and the sector to build on existing work and evidence, rather than duplicating efforts. To quote the DRC’s final report, real solutions need to reimagine these systems “in partnership with people with disability, with their voices at the centre of reforms.”
October 2023
Tags: accessible housing, disability support, hospital discharge, NDIS, YPIRAC
Description:
The enduring research partnership between the Summer Foundation and La Trobe University’s Living with Disability Research Centre is testament to what is possible when rigorous academic methods are applied to real-world problems. The research program at the Summer Foundation is unashamedly ambitious. It needs to be in order to address the manifold challenges experienced by people with disability in Australia today.
Our Research team consists of more than 20 researchers, including experienced academics, clinical experts, research assistants, and doctoral candidates. They come from diverse backgrounds, including psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and architecture. Together, the team work on more than 20 active projects covering topics as broad as younger people in residential aged care, hospital discharge, the disability housing market, and factors contributing to quality disability support.
This report outlines the research undertaken in 2022/23 as part of the program, our aims and our outputs.
September 2023
Tags: allied health, 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 2023
Tags: aged care resources, NDIS
Description:
The Summer Foundation connected with people with disability to share their personal stories of living in aged care.
August 2023
Tags: health professional, hospital discharge, hospital resources, 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.
July 2023
Tags: housing, 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.
June 2023
Tags: allied health, housing resources, NDIS, 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.
June 2023
Tags: allied health, housing, 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.
June 2023
June 2023
Tags: allied health, NDIS, 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.
June 2023
Tags: NDIS participant, NDIS plan, NDIS resources
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.
June 2023
Tags: NDIS participant, NDIS plan, NDIS resources, 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.
June 2023
Tags: NDIS
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
May 2023
Tags: complex support, NDIS, NDIS resources
Description:
How to write effective support documentation for people with disabilities and complex health and support needs seeking access to the NDIS.
May 2023
Tags: NDIS
Description:
The NDIS assists participants to live independently by funding home and living supports that provide choice and control over where, how and with whom to live. However, many participants experience difficulties in accessing suitable housing and supports and have lost trust in the delivery of these services. The NDIA, state and territory governments and the disability sector need to work together to streamline processes and ensure good outcomes for people with disability. Shorter wait times and increased access to appropriate housing and supports will enable a greater quality of life, independence and connection to community.
May 2023
Tags: NDIS
Description:
The NDIS Review opened a public inquiry into improving the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework. The Summer Foundation’s submission focuses on the quality of support provided within shared models of SDA. An improved Framework facilitates genuine choice for participants and the ability to exercise their rights in a shared living environment.
May 2023
Tags: community, complex support, hospital resources, 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.
May 2023
Tags: disability support, NDIS, NDIS resources
Description:
Key NDIS support roles each have a different responsibility for making sure that you have the assistance you need to connect with the NDIS and make the most of the support and funding that the NDIS can offer you.
May 2023
Tags: NDIS, NDIS resources, Support resources
Description:
A disability advocate is someone who acts to promote, defend and protect the rights of a person with disability. This resource looks at what kinds of things advocates can help with as well as where to go to get more information relevant to the state you live in.
May 2023
Tags: YPIRAC
Description:
In 2019, the coalition government committed to measurable, timebound targets to solve the issue of Younger People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) once and for all.
The aims of this analysis are to:
• Review progress of the current YPIRAC initiative
• Analyse the pathways of younger people into and out of aged care
May 2023
Tags: aged care, aged care resources, NDIS
Description:
If you are under 65 and moving in to residential aged care, you may be able to access additional supports through the NDIS that are not available through aged care funding.
March 2023
Tags: community, housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Description:
Christie talks about what SDA means to her.
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, NDIS
Description:
In partnership with People With Disability Australia, the Summer Foundation conducted research into people’s experience of the NDIS. The research aimed 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.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.
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.
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: 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.
February 2022
Tags: disability support, NDIS
Description:
NDIS participants speak about how the NDIS has helped them live the life they want to live.
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:
The Summer Foundation is pleased to work alongside the Federal Government to enable significant improvement in the lives of people with disability. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an incredible social policy initiative, providing life changing opportunities to people with disability.
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.
October 2021
Tags: submission
Description:
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.
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.
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
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).
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.
June 2021
Tags: housing, 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.
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: 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: 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: 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]
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: 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: 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.
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: 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.
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.
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: 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.
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: 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.
June 2019
Tags: participant led videos, Support resources, 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. 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.
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.
June 2018
Tags: hospital discharge, hospital resources, 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
