This SEPP Housing development for Seniors and People with a Disability project was for Social housing developer - NSW LAHC (Land and Housing Commission).
Architects Stanton Dahl Architects
Access Consultant Vista Access Architects
Photography by Evan Maclean
Vista Access Architects are delighted to have been the Disability Access consultants for the Inclusive playground - Variety Livvi's Place at Glenfield.
Place Design Group were the Landscape Architects for this project.
The project won the
Farah Madon was recognised by the WWA’s Altitude Awards as their
"This award is for an outstanding individual who is working in community and within their organisation to include disadvantaged minorities, closing gaps, transforming society, reflecting inclusivity and working to create social change"
With over 250 entries received for Altitude Awards, we are truly humbled to be declared as a Winner in these prestigious awards.
Through Vista Access Architects, we provide Pro-bono access related services to a number of Disability related organisations every year as a part our Social responsibility to the local Community.
Our latest SDA Project in QLD for BlueCHP just achieves certification.
These lovely apartments are designed as per SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) HPS (High Physical Support) design category
Our
designed for NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) assessments has won the
Presented by Centre for Accessibility for the
The Awards are presented by the Centre For Accessibility Australia which is an industry and not-for-profit collaboration working to promote digital access.
Vista Access Architects have developed the SDA Tools App which are a series of 3 calculators designed to assist and educate Designers,Certifiers and Developers with 3 key areas required for compliance with the NDIS (National DIsability Insurance Scheme) SDA (Specialist DIsability Accomodation) Design Standards.
This calculator is to determine the number of participants permitted on a single parcel of land based on our interpretation of the NDIS SDA Rules 2020
This calculator is to select colours to satisfy the minimum 30% luminance contrast requirements as noted in the NDIS SDA Design Standards for Improved Liveability Design category dwellings.
This calculator is to assist designers to convert measurements of slope and gradients between a percentage, degrees or as a ratio.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE APP ON THIS LINK
DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP FROM THE APP STORE VIA LINK BELOW
Don't have an Apple device ? CLICK HERE for an online version of the Calculators on our website
2021 saw the release of the much-anticipated -
It takes a substantial amount of time commitment to contribute to the development of these standards and all contributions made to the development of these standards are by experts in the field on a pro-bono basis
Therefore, it was lovely to receive a
for work done by
Farah Madon has been selected as a Finalist in the
2021 Western Sydney Executive Woman of the Year Award, alongside the wonderful Lori Modde and Sara Ang.
Thank you Amanda Rose and the entire WSW team for this recognition. I'm truly humbled by your support.
Western Sydney Executive Woman of the Year recognises excellence in the corporate world from C-Suite to Board level.
Western Sydney Women Awards are the only awards program representing women at all stages in their life, business & career across the Inner West, Greater West, North West & South West of Sydney and are for:
- Women who excel in business
- Inspiring female role models
- Women who have demonstrated excellence in their career and elsewhere
- Women who have made significant contributions in their community
- Women who have made a difference to Greater Western Sydney
This award is sponsored by KPMG
'LRV Contrast' App developed by Farah Madon and BEZAPPS for calculating LRV Contrast has been judged as a Finalist in the 2019 Australian Access Awards for the Educational App of the Year category by the Australian Centre for Accessibility. Free download of the App is available on the AppStore
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
CLICK HERE FOR A WEB BASED ONLINE VERSION
It was a lovely surprise to receive a Certificate of Appreciation for providing Pro-bono services for a Respite home for People with disabilities in Winmalee, NSW from Denise Heath, CEO of NADO (Nepean Area Disability Organisation)
Farah Madon and Vanessa Griffin from Vista Access Architects have recently provided pro-bono Accessibility related services to Nepean Area Disabilities Organisation Limited (NADO)to transform an industrial unit into the first of its kind Sensory Gym in Penrith.
Article from Western Weekender HERE
An existing dwelling can be refurbished to qualify as a 'new build' for SDA (Specialist Disability Accomodation) funding. But have you considered the minimum refurbishment cost ?
To qualify as a 'New Build' under the NDIS SDA, the dwelling needs to comply with the following 5 conditions:
There are 2 options to comply with this first requirement, noted below as Option A and Option B.
Option A: The very FIRST certificate of occupancy (or equivalent) was issued on or after 1 April 2016 when it complies with the requirements of SDA dwelling. This is important to note the use of the word 'FIRST' in this requirement; or
Option B: The dwelling has been renovated or refurbished and issued with a certificate of occupancy (or equivalent) after 1 April 2016, and:
i) because of the renovation or refurbishment the dwelling meets the Minimum Requirements for a Design Category other than Basic design as noted in Table 5 of SDA Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2021-22 (previously the Price Guide for Specialist Disability Accommodation) and
ii) the cost of the refurbishment is equal to or greater than the amount set out in Appendix F as shown below.
For example to refurbish an existing 1 bedroom apartment for HPS (High Physical Support) design category a minimum refurbishment spent amount of $457,363 is required
This will usually make the project unviable.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on Vista Access Architect’s personal interpretation of what constitutes as a new build. This article is not endorsed by the NDIA and users are advised to make their own inquires directly with NDIA.
It is with great joy that we announce that Vista Access Architects are a finalist in the;
This award is for an outstanding individual or organisation who are working in community to include disadvantaged or minorities, close gaps or deliver opportunities and transformation in society, environment and career opportunities.
With over 250 entries we are truly humbled to be declared as Finalist in these prestigious awards.
Through Vista Access Architects, we provide Pro-bono access related services to a number of Disability related organisations every year as a part our Social responsibility to the local Community.
The Altitude Awards are presented by Women with Altitude. They are held annually to provide an opportunity to acknowledge those who have made outstanding contributions.
Women with Altitude founder, Andrea Turner-Boys said, ‘We look forward to this time each year when we celebrate and champion the achievements of individuals and businesses from our regions. Each finalist has been chosen for their outstanding contributions in their field.'
SDA Project in SA, Bowden for
Client: Enliven
Access Consultant / SDA Assessor: Vista Access Architects
Completion: 2021
Master Builders QLD - Wide Bay Burnett Housing & Construction Awards 2021
It is with immense pleasure that we announce that the very first project certified by Vista Access Architects in QLD for SDA at both the Design and As-built stages, has won the Master Builders Queensland Award- Wide Bay Burnett Housing & Construction Award 2021
This beautiful home was certified to SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) HPS (High Physical Support) Design category and is constructed by our clients JRZ Constructions.
Everyone working within the SDA space is familiar with the magnitude of work required in an SDA development and we congratulate the entire team at JRZ Constructions for this wonderful achievement.
Photo Gallery
NDIS SDA Dwelling typesOne of the most common questions we get asked is how to determine the SDA dwelling type. This is not a straightforward answer as what the building industry may refer to as a House or a Group home or a Villa may not neatly fit into the definitions provided for the same under the NDIS Rules 2020.
Funding for an SDA dwelling is based on the Dwelling type and therefore it is therefore essential that the type of the dwelling follows all the requirements as noted in the NDIS Rules 2020.
The definitions of dwelling type used by the NCC may not necessarily match the definition of dwelling type used by the NDIS. For example, what qualifies as a Group home under a NCC or Planning authority can be designed and certified as multiple villas as defined under the Schedule 1 of SDA Rules 2020 as long as all items noted in the SDA Rules 2020 Schedule 1 for type of dwelling are met.
It is the responsibility of the Accredited SDA Assessor to propose the dwelling type and note the same on the SDA Assessment Summary form. The Accredited SDA Assessor shall not rely or be influenced by the SDA developer in determining the dwelling type. Note that NDIA has the right to reject the dwelling type proposed by the SDA Assessor and require change of the dwelling type if the requirements donot comply with the SDA Rules 2020.
If all items noted in the SDA Rules 2020 Schedule 1 for type of dwelling are met then it can be classified as that dwelling type.
SDA Dwelling type |
Funded types |
Requirements |
|
Apartments |
1 bedroom, 1 resident 2 bedrooms, 1 resident 2 bedrooms, 2 residents 3 bedrooms, 2 residents |
Apartments are self-contained units occupying only part of a larger residential building. Apartments are typically built above or below another dwelling. Selfcontained dwellings that are separated from other dwellings by wall alone are not apartments but are likely to be a villa, duplex or townhouse. |
|
Villa/ duplex/ townhouse |
1 resident 2 residents 3 residents |
Villas, duplexes and townhouses are dwellings for one, two or three residents. Villas, duplexes and townhouses are generally separate but semiattached properties within a single land title or strata titled area. Dwellings will be separated by a fire-resisting wall (although fire resistance is not required for Existing Stock). Each villa, duplex or townhouse must have a separate and reasonably accessible entry to/exit from the property, and participants must not be able to internally travel between dwellings. That is, participants must be required to exit one dwelling in order to enter another. Restricted internal access between dwellings may be provided for support staff only. Villas, duplexes and townhouses may also be ancillary dwellings that are located on the same parcel of land as another dwelling (e.g. fully self-contained ‘granny flats’). |
|
Houses |
2 residents 3 residents |
Houses are detached low-rise dwellings with garden or courtyard areas. To be a house (rather than a villa/duplex/townhouse) the dwelling must be located on a clearly separated land area (e.g. separated by a fence, hedge or other form of delineation that is in keeping with the character of the neighbourhood). It must not share a wall, roof, entry area, driveway, car parking or outdoor area with any dwelling other than an ancillary Villa/Townhouse/Duplex with no more than one resident. A house is not to have more than two ancillary Villa/Duplex/Townhouses, otherwise the primary dwelling is likely to be considered a Villa/Townhouse/Duplex. Each house must have a land area that is proportional with the number of residents and keeps with similar properties in the neighbourhood. |
|
Group homes |
4 residents 5 residents |
All requirements for House apply Group Homes are distinguished from other houses by the larger number of residents (four or five long term residents). |
Disclaimer: The flow chart is a free resource developed by Vista Access Architects to simplify the requirements and have been developed based on our interpretation of the requirements. The Flowchart is free to use but at your own risk. By using this Flowchart you agree that you use it at your own risk and Vista Access Architects will take no responsibility for your reliance upon the flowchart. No alterations are permitted to the resouse and author to be attributed when used.
The new NSW Housing SEPP will consolidate five existing housing-related NSW SEPPs:
1. State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009 (ARHSEPP);
2. State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing for Seniors and People with a Disability) 2004 (Seniors SEPP);
3. State Environmental Planning Policy No 70 – Affordable Housing (Revised Schemes) (SEPP 70);
4. State Environmental Planning Policy No 21—Caravan Parks; and
5. State Environmental Planning Policy No 36—Manufactured Home Estates.
A Housing SEPP consultation draft has been prepared to provide all stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback on new and amended planning provisions prior to the making of the Housing SEPP.
The Housing SEPP is intended to be finalised in October 2021.
Copy of the public consultation draft is available HERE
Deadline for public consultation is on the 29th of August 2021. Have your say HERE
In this webinar, Farah will be introducing the updated version of AS1428.1:2021 which was released in June 2021. It is anticipated that the updated AS1428.1:2021 will be incorporated in the BCA/NCC 2022. Updates provide clarity to AS1428.1:2009. This webinar will take you through what has changed and how it will impact design with an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation.
Webinar will be hosted by ACAA (Association of Consultants in Access Australia) on Friday 30th July from 3pm till 5pm.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO REGISTER
Vista Access Architects were the Access Consultants for the latest additions to St Lucy’s School which was designed by Stanton Dahl Architects
St Lucy’s School is for students with a wide range of disabilities including mild to severe intellectual disability, autism and sensory impairments. The design goes above and beyond the mandatory minimum accessibility requirements under the BCA/ NCC and provides a truely inclusive approach to design. Well done to Stanton Dahl Architects on a fantastic outcome.
Photo courtesy Stanton Dahl Architects. Video courtesy St Lucy's School
Farah Madon of Vista Access Architects was invited to present a webinar on Universal Design and Housing options for People with a Disability in Australia at the 2021 Hong Kong Accessibility Webinar III.
A link to the presentation is on https://fb.watch/6m_28bJG_Z/
Presentation at the 1 hour, 1 minute mark.
SDA Tools App has a set of calculators developed to assist with the design and assessment of dwellings developed under the NDIS SDA (National Disability Insurance Scheme - Specialist Disability Accommodation)
The SDA Tools App has 3 Calculators.
1. NDIS SDA Density Calculator based on the SDA Rules 2020
2. Luminance Contrast Calculator (where LRV Values are available)
3. Slope and Gradients Convertor Calculator
For users that do not have access to Apple products the same calculators are available on on website HERE
Disclaimer: The SDA Tools app is a free resource developed by Vista Access Architects to simplify the requirements and have been developed based on our interpretation of the requirements. The App is free to use but at your own risk. By using this App you agree that you use them at your own risk and the developers of this app and Vista Access Architects will take no responsibility for your reliance upon the results produced by the App.
