Storytellers with lived experience strengthening opportunities for people with disability to live independently – Co-design project

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.

Living independently ‘Trevor chooses how he wants to live’

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.

Shanais living independently in an SDA Apartment

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.

Ben’s journey to independence

Tags: accessible housing, disability support, independence

Description:

Cheryl and Gary describe their son, Ben’s journey to independence.

Carol & Kevin support their daughter through her SDA journey

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.

Kirby’s SDA journey to her new home

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.

Michelle’s housing journey

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.

A digital story by Cheryl & Gary Parkinson

Tags: accessible housing, disability support, independence

Description:

The motive to look for alternative accommodation for their son was two-fold: For Ben, it was about his independence; for Gary and Cheryl, it was about who would look after Ben in the future.

A digital story by James Nutt

Tags: accessible housing, independence

Description:

Choice and control: Living in his new supported accommodation is enabling James to increase his independence.