SDA Assessments Accessibility Compliance
Firstly, let’s understand what SDA is, SDA refers to Specialist Disability Accommodation, which is housing that enables people with disabilities to live comfortably and safely. The SDA Design Standard is a set of guidelines and requirements that ensure that NDIS SDA properties are designed and built to provide maximum accessibility, safety, and comfort to the people who will live in them.
The SDA assessment process for properties consists of two stages: Design (Provisional) and Final-As-Built Stage. During the Design (Provisional) stage, SDA Assessors review the design documentation against the SDA Design Standard requirements. The certification at this stage is considered “Provisional” as the dwelling has not been built yet.
The purpose of this assessment process is to provide stakeholders with confidence that the final as-built works will comply with the SDA Design Standard when completed and built in accordance with the approved design documentation. SDA Assessors evaluate the proposed design category (High Physical Support, Fully Accessible, Improved Livability & Robust) and conduct accessibility assessments for the building type defined in the NDIS (SDA) Rules 2020 to ensure that the proposed design meets the requirements of the SDA Design Standards.
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SDA Assessment & Certification: Ensuring NDIS Compliance
At this stage, SDA Assessors may suggest changes to the design documentation to ensure compliance with the SDA Design Standard. Once the necessary changes are made, the SDA Assessor will issue the certification.
The Final-As-Built stage of the SDA assessment process begins once the building work is completed. The SDA Assessor conducts a thorough inspection of the completed building to ensure that it meets the requirements of the SDA Design Standard. The builder, contractor (electrical, automation), and engineer must provide several certificates, which must be resolved before the issuance of the SDA certification documents. Additionally, this stage may involve a home safety assessment to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Issuance of SDA Certification Documents for NDIS Compliance
In addition to the Final-As-Built inspection, the SDA Assessor must also conduct an SDA assessment by evaluating the documentation provided by each of the above parties to ensure compliance with the SDA Design Standard.
Once all of the necessary documentation and certificates are provided and any issues are resolved, the SDA certification documents can be issued. These documents certify that the property complies with the SDA Design Standard, and they must be provided to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) at both the Design and Final stages. However, it is important to note that this does not guarantee the enrollment of the dwelling. The enrolment of the dwelling is the responsibility of the SDA Provider, which may involve conducting home assessments as part of the assessment moderation process.
It is worth noting that the SDA Design Standard is continually evolving, and there are ongoing updates to the guidelines and requirements. SDA Assessors must stay up to date with any changes to the SDA Design Standard to ensure that they can provide the most accurate and comprehensive assessments possible.
In summary, SDA Assessors play a crucial role in ensuring that SDA properties are designed and built to the highest standards of accessibility, safety, and comfort.
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