Participant Story: Finding the Right SDA Home in Regional Victoria.

Sarah is a 34-year-old NDIS participant living in Bendigo, regional Victoria. She has cerebral palsy and uses a powered wheelchair. For years, she lived in a group home that didn't fully meet her needs — the doorways were narrow, the bathroom wasn't fully accessible, and she relied on staff for tasks she felt she could do independently with the right home design.

The Turning Point

When Sarah's support coordinator, Michelle, suggested exploring SDA as part of her NDIS plan review, Sarah was cautiously optimistic. She'd heard stories of long wait times and limited options in regional areas.

"I didn't want to get my hopes up," Sarah recalls. "But Michelle was really proactive — she connected me with dwellSDA early in the process, even before my Home and Living request was submitted."

Building the Case

Michelle worked with Sarah's occupational therapist, Dr. Patel, to prepare a comprehensive functional capacity assessment. The report detailed Sarah's physical abilities, her daily routine, and the specific housing features that would maximise her independence.

Key evidence included the need for a High Physical Support dwelling with ceiling hoists in the bedroom and bathroom, automated doors, and a kitchen with adjustable-height benchtops. The report also highlighted that Sarah's current group home posed safety risks due to narrow doorways and inaccessible bathroom facilities.

The Home and Living Request

With strong evidence in hand, Michelle submitted Sarah's Home and Living request to the NDIA. The request specified a High Physical Support, single-resident dwelling in the Bendigo region. The NDIA approved the request within 10 weeks.

Designing Sarah's Home

Once SDA funding was confirmed, Sarah began working with the dwellSDA design team. She was actively involved in the design process, choosing her floor plan, selecting finishes, and specifying the assistive technology she wanted.

"The design team really listened," Sarah says. "They didn't just give me a standard plan — they asked what mattered to me. I wanted a big kitchen because I love cooking, and they made it happen with adjustable benchtops and a side-opening oven."

Construction and Move-In

Sarah's modular home was manufactured in 14 weeks and installed on a prepared site in Bendigo. From design approval to move-in, the total process took just over seven months.

"Moving in was emotional," Sarah admits. "For the first time, I could get into every room, use the bathroom independently, and cook my own meals. It sounds simple, but when you haven't had that, it's everything."

Life in Her New Home

Today, Sarah lives independently with daily SIL support. Her home's smart technology allows her to control lights, doors, and temperature with voice commands. She hosts friends for dinner, tends a raised garden bed accessible from her wheelchair, and is even exploring part-time work from home.

"This home hasn't just changed where I live — it's changed how I live," Sarah says.

Sarah's name and some details have been changed to protect her privacy. Her story is representative of the experiences of many NDIS participants who have found their ideal SDA home through dwellSDA.