As we wind down after an especially busy year the time is right to reflect on our work and achievements.

There has been significant change in the disability sector in 2022. A change of government, a greater focus on the NDIS than arguably ever before in the community and now the start of what feels like a new era for the NDIS with new leadership and a scheme review.

We have been working hard to build strong relationships with both the government and the NDIA and are proud of our work to influence over the past 12 months. The Down to 10 Days campaign that we led has seen an increased focus on getting NDIS participants into appropriate care and importantly, resulted in real changes for NDIS participants that need housing and support.

We have also been working with state and territory governments around the country and in 2022 we were very proud to see this work have a direct influence on housing for people with disability. Our Building Better Homes campaign resulted in building ministers in all states and territories (except NSW and WA) adopting changes to the National Construction Code that require all new homes to be built to mandatory accessibility standards.

World leading research continues to be at the heart of all our work. During the year the research team worked on more than 15 projects covering topics as broad as younger people in aged care, hospital discharge, the disability housing market, and factors contributing to quality disability support. Our participant survey to understand people’s experience of the NDIS gave a voice to those who have expert knowledge on what works and what needs to be changed. It has been given to NDIS Minister Bill Shorten.

And our social enterprise, the Housing Hub, goes from strength to strength in its work to support people with disability to find housing that is right for them. It works with housing seekers and their supporters, and providers of accessible housing.

Thank you to everyone who attended our hybrid Annual Public Forum in November, it was great to see so many people (in person and online). You can read more about this, and our other work below.

On behalf of everyone at the Summer Foundation I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

DI Winkler, CEO & Founder

View all articles in the Summer 2022 News Update

Annual Report released

Our annual report reflects on a busy year of important work across policy, research and co-design, as well as our approach as we aim to set a new standard in housing and living supports- one that lifts the standard of what a good life can look like for Australians with disability with high support needs.

Annual Public Forum 2022 – A reimagined NDIS: What this means for housing and supports

The Summer Foundation’s Annual Public Forum was held on November 25, 2022. For the first time since 2019, we were pleased to host an audience in person, as well as online. The hybrid event saw almost 600 join us online and close to 150 people at The Arena, NAB Docklands.

Down to 10 Days building momentum

The Summer Foundation’s Down to 10 Days campaign is seeing significant progress in reducing the time NDIS participants are waiting for approval for the housing and support they are entitled to.

NDIS participants survey

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.

RAC engagement project launched

The Summer Foundation has identified the need to connect and build relationships with the residential aged care (RAC) sector as a way of working with providers to achieve the Federal Government’s Young People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) strategy.

New COO for Summer Foundation

We are pleased to welcome Chief Operating Officer, Jess McKay, to the Summer Foundation. Jess is a CPA qualified accountant and has close to 10 years’ experience as a COO. She comes to us with experience in the technology sector, as well as the aged care and not-for-profit sector.

SDA visits

In recent months, the Summer Foundation has invited ministers and senators to visit new Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), to meet tenants and to see what innovative SDA housing looks like. Visits have been organised with the support of SDA providers.