Supporting those with disability

IT IS FANTASTIC to see new state-of-the-art accommodation being built to support those in our community living with disability.

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending the opening of a new Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) home in Newcomb and it was encouraging to see the level of detail and consideration put into the space.

The property will house four participants and provide high-needs disability support in an assisted independent living setting.

Split into two neighbouring houses with two bedrooms in each, the property features a full suite of automation across doors, all blinds, cupboard access, lighting, heating and cooling, and electric kitchen benchtops.

The additional inclusion of a backup power supply, fire sprinklers and direct intercom access to on-site overnight assistance speaks volumes about the housing provider’s commitment to resident wellbeing.

As Council’s Health portfolio chair, witnessing architectural SDA builds of this calibre come to fruition in Greater Geelong fills me with pride.

These aren’t just buildings, they are homes designed with both functionality and genuine care at their heart, moving away from purely clinical environments.

I am also encouraged by how disability care providers are collaborating to offer a cohesive model of care for the participants in the SDA.

Housing provider Livello is working closely with the team at Nextt, who are responsible for assisting participants to find a compatible support co-ordinator.

These co-ordinators work on-site with a dedicated office space and ensure participants are receiving the support they need.

This puts autonomy back in participants’ hands, which is hugely important given how significant their co-ordinators’ work is in their daily lives.

SDAs are an important consideration for the future of our region, and facilities like these will be vital to the growing population of people living with disability in Geelong.

Over the next 17 years, Greater Geelong’s total population will grow from around 289,000 to more than 400,000 people, and the need for more SDA facilities will be critical.

The City of Greater Geelong is already home to about 55,000 people living with disability, making up 22 per cent of the population.

Assistance and support are integral to many people with disability in the region, with about 18,000 people needing help in their day to-day lives.

Surveys conducted for the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2024-28 indicated that more than 25 per cent of people with disability had difficulty with access to buildings and facilities.

Purpose-built SDAs such as this are a vital step towards improving access to both suitable accommodation and crucial care providers.

I look forward to seeing more SDA homes of this standard become a reality across our region, fostering a more inclusive and supportive community for everyone.

Cr Rowan Story

Murradoc Ward, City of Greater Geelong