Statement - People with disability to have more say about their homes in new commitment from Life Without Barriers

People with disability to have more say about their homes in new commitment from Life Without Barriers

People with disability will have more choice and control over how they live and the housing provider they choose in a landmark new policy commitment from the national disability provider, Life Without Barriers.

The introduction of the NDIS was intended to create more choice for people with disability, but that has not always been true. Many people with disability live in homes managed by a disability service provider and have had to use disability support from that service provider. This arrangement does not give people with disability the same choices as other people in the community.

Life Without Barriers is changing that, starting from today.

The policy commitment outlines the organisations intention to separate the delivery of Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Specialist Disability Accommodation Services (SDA) to the same participant within the organisation by December 22, 2023.

Life Without Barriers recognises the current home and living models have fallen short of meeting the needs, aspirations and rights of many people with disability because they have not been informed or designed by the very people who utilise these supports.

Life Without Barriers recognises the NDIS is about providing choice for people with disability and the organisation sees its role as a disability service provider as ensuring services are genuinely informed and led by the people with disability so they can live how they choose.

Currently, having the same services provider manage housing and supports within that home limits the genuine choices people with disability have in choosing their providers for the individual and specific funding they receive under the NDIS. The Policy commitment means Life Without Barriers will no longer directly manage the homes that people with disability live in, but rather, work with people with disability to ensure they have choice over their services. The commitment will give people with disability the same choices over their living arrangements as others in our community.

Whilst the transition takes place, Life Without Barriers have put in place a process to separate the management of homes from the direct support to people with disability. Life Without Barriers is also working with people with disability and their families who live in these homes to explore their choice and control about where they live, who they live with and what kind of supports they use.

Life Without Barriers is listening to people with disability, their families and supporters, and learning how we can best provide the support they have a right to expect.

Life Without Barriers Home and Living Strategy can be found here https://www.lwb.org.au/news/Life-Without-Barriers-to-separate-SIL-and-SDA/