Stories & Resources

Rosie’s Journey Toward an Accessible, Independent Future

Background

Rosie describes herself simply: someone who enjoys life where she can, values connection, and keeps going even when things become complicated. A lifelong hard worker, she previously ran a chicken farm, sold eggs locally, and later worked in a poultry factory—roles she still speaks about with pride.

Although she doesn’t have family nearby, Rosie maintains meaningful friendships, including close local supports and a long-time friend in Japan she hopes to visit one day.

Health Challenges

In 2017, Rosie was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica, a condition affecting the central nervous system. That same year, she was also diagnosed with Lupus. Both conditions significantly impacted her mobility, vision, and overall health.

In 2018, Rosie experienced a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), followed later that year by a stroke, leaving lasting physical effects. Everyday tasks such as reaching overhead cupboards or hanging clothes became difficult. Despite this, Rosie adapted gradually—finding new ways to manage daily routines and focusing on what she could still do.

Housing Instability

In 2025, Rosie’s home in Tanunda was demolished to make way for a new development. With limited rental options available, she found herself in a challenging position—too young for aged care, yet uncertain about living alone in the city with increasing support needs.

During this transition, a friend’s mother offered Rosie temporary accommodation. This period provided stability, companionship, and space to consider her next steps.

Exploring Specialist Disability Accommodation

With support from MAP, Rosie began exploring Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). This process required open conversations about her daily challenges and future needs—discussions that were not always easy but ultimately empowering.

Through functional assessments and reports outlining her support requirements, Rosie discovered that SDA could provide a pathway back to greater independence in a purpose-built environment.

Identified Housing Needs

Rosie’s ideal home includes practical design features that would significantly improve her daily life, including:

• A spacious, accessible bathroom to accommodate her walker and shower chair

• Adjustable kitchen benchtops to support safe and comfortable cooking

• A layout that promotes safe mobility and independence

These features are not luxuries—they are essential tools enabling Rosie to participate fully in everyday life.

Adjusting to Shared Living

Initially, the idea of shared housing required adjustment. Over time, Rosie recognised that accepting support does not diminish independence; rather, it can enhance safety, connection, and quality of life.

Current Situation and Future Goals

Rosie is currently living in temporary accommodation close to her services, with daily visits from her support team. She continues to work toward securing long-term, appropriate housing.

Her goal is simple yet profound: to unpack her belongings—currently stored in a shipping container on a friend’s farm—and settle into a home designed around her needs. A place where she can cook comfortably, move safely, and feel truly at home.

Outcome

Rosie’s journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and the importance of tailored housing solutions. With the right supports and environment, she is moving steadily toward a future defined not by limitation, but by possibility and renewed independence.

Michael’s Story

Life was fulfilling for Michael. Living in Mount Gambier, he filled his days with work, family and hobbies. Then, in 2019, things began to change. Subtle changes started to happen to Michael, impacting his memory and understanding of what was going on around him. Gradually, these changes became more apparent, worsening over time until doctors diagnosed Michael as dealing with the impact of younger onset dementia.

Before long, Michael’s ability to attend to daily tasks and support himself independently was impacted by the symptoms of his disability. His daughter, acting as his nominee, supported him in applying for NDIS funding. Initially, Michael had support workers come to his home to help him manage daily tasks, access his community and attend appointments. Before long, the symptoms of Michael’s diagnosis became more severe, increasing the level of support he needed to keep him safe and able to attend to personal care and daily duties; due to limitations in his ability, Michael was at risk of becoming homeless.

Facing the possibility of having nowhere else to live, Michael’s family and Support Coordinator worked together to find him a place in a residential aged care facility. The facility ensured Michael was safe and could access the support he needed. Still, it was an unsuitable long-term option due to Michael’s age and the limits on his choice and control. Michael needed another option.

Applying for Specialist Disability Accommodation

His daughter and Support Coordinator assisted Michael to begin accessing Supported Independent Living (SIL) through his NDIS plan. Quickly, they realised that Michael also needed Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding to ensure he was able to find a home that would meet his increasing needs and ensure he remained safe within the home.

Accessing a team of allied health professionals, Michael’s daughter and Support Coordinator collected the evidence needed to present to the NDIS. The evidence included reports and assessments that outlined Michael’s need for support throughout the day, including overnight and housing needs. Primary amongst these was a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) completed by Michael’s Occupational Therapist, a comprehensive assessment that captured Michael’s changing and increasing support needs. A case was presented to the NDIS that highlighted the impact of Michael’s disability and demonstrated the need for SIL and SDA support as a reasonable and necessary funding requirement.

Michael’s Success

During Michael’s annual planning meeting, the NDIS Planner recognised his need for SDA and SIL based on the evidence presented. Michael was issued a new NDIS plan that included funding for both types of support.

With the SIL funding, MAP supported Michael to find a new home in the Barossa region where he has family. Securing a private home allowed him to move out of the residential aged care facility, to live with a housemate who also accesses SIL support through the NDIS.

While Michael’s current house is not an SDA dwelling, MAP has identified an SDA Provider building homes in the Barossa. Michael was supported to place an Expression of Interest (EOI) and will now move into an SDA when the building is complete.

What’s Next for Michael

Michael has a strong support network in his SIL team and is safe and supported in his current home. With a regular and reliable core team of workers, Michael can continue living a full life, participate in daily activities, and connect with his community.

Michael’s SDA is expected to be finished in early 2025; Michael will move in and continue with the support of his existing SIL team of workers.

Simon’s Story

Simon loved his work as an interstate truck driver and spent long days on the road, when he was forced to retire early due to an unexpected health issue. Simon adjusted to life at home in the historical Mid-North town of Eudunda. Unfortunately, a series of strokes in September 2023 sent Simon’s life into turmoil, the impact was devastating.

Simon was moved between three different hospitals for treatment while facing the risk of being moved into a residential aged-care facility. Suddenly, Simon could no longer live independently and was not able to safely return home. He needed support and equipment to manage daily tasks. His daughter, Jasmine, rallied at his side to help get Simon the support he needed.

Simon’s application for SDA Funding.

Simon appointed Jasmine as his NDIS nominee, and she actively engaged in applying for the NDIS while Simon focused on his rehabilitation. Teaming up with Karen, a Support Coordinator from My Ability Pathway (MAP), they attended the initial NDIS planning meeting on Simon’s behalf, asking for SDA funding to be built into his NDIS Plan. The hospital provided reports to demonstrate Simon’s need for SDA, highlighting the risk that without this funding, he would have to live in a residential aged care facility as his home was no longer safe and suitable.

To support the SDA application, Simon undertook a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) with an Occupational Therapist, outlining his support needs and providing evidence to the NDIS of the need for specialised housing.

A team of professionals gathered around Simon to help with the SDA application, providing critical information for the NDIS. From MAP senior team members to hospital based Social Workers, Simon`s team supported him every step of the way.

A Successful Outcome

For many weeks, a stream of daily emails from Simon’s support team to the NDIS ensured his application was accurate and complete. In January 2024, the NDIS completed Simon’s plan that included the essential SDA funding.

Having secured the SDA funding, Simon’s next challenge was finding a registered SDA provider with a house to live in. He wanted to continue living in his local community, as near his family as possible. Simon’s Support Coordinator played an integral role in locating available SDA housing and contacting providers for Simon, so he could decide if they fit his needs. Many available homes were in the suburbs where Simon did not want to live as they were too far away from his family and community.

Happily, Simon soon found a home in Gawler East; while further away than he had hoped for, this home enabled Simon to stay near his family and community. Simon moved into his new home a spacious, comfortable house designed to meet his physical needs. With Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding from the NDIS, Simon has successfully been able to settle into his new home. He is supported by a team of professional support workers to maximise his independence, allowing him to live in a safe, purpose-built, affordable home.

Simon shares the home with a housemate who receives SDA and SIL support through the NDIS.

Simon’s Future

Comfortable and secure in his current home, Simon is grateful for the SDA funding he has received that allows him to live with independence and support. With additional SDA homes currently being built in the Barossa Valley the opportunity to live even closer to his family and community looks positive. Simon has lodged an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the SDA provider in Barossa which has been approved.

Until then, Simon will continue to live in an affordable, purpose-built home that meets his needs; he is supported by his family, a team of professional support workers and his support coordinator to ensure a secure future where he can connect with the community and family.