New accessible apartments in Bankstown could be ‘game changer’ for disabled

An array of new contemporary accessible housing has been “the biggest game changer,” for people living with disabilities, and it has hidden benefits for the housing crisis and wider community.

Satala ‘Suki’ Tautua’s life changed when he suffered a stroke, loosing movement on the entire right side of his body. He and wife Annie Tautua were living in a large double storey rental, which Ms Tautua said was “really hard”.

“It was too big and he had to live in the lounge because we couldn’t get him up the stairs so he had no privacy at all,” she said.

“Then we moved to a granny flat but that was much harder, the space was limited so he found it hard to manoeuvre, he couldn’t see outside and he didn’t want to get out of bed,” she said.

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Ms Tautua began looking for more accessible accommodation but found that many were too far from where their life and family were.

“I really wanted to go for it but because of the distance, we have our grandchildren that are here, we wouldn’t get to see them most of the time,” she said.

It wasn’t until a support planner told them about the new accessible apartments in Spring Square Bankstown by AccessAccom, that they experienced “the biggest game changer” of their life.

“Once we moved in and experienced the unit and what it has to offer, I can’t believe we are where we are,” Ms Tautua said.

“He has so much more freedom it’s not funny,” Ms Tautua said. “Now he wants to get in his chair and go around the place and enjoy the view that he has … I’m honestly still buzzing.”

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The contemporary style accessible apartments by AccessAccom are spacious one and two-bedroom units, featuring widened doorways, adjustable kitchen benches, and main bedrooms with provisions for ceiling hoists and accessible en suites.

Voice or tablet controls, large wall buttons allow for independence for residents with varying mobility and communication needs. There is also an overnight onsite support out of a separate apartment to maximise their independence, lifestyle and privacy.

The new apartments are within reach of Bankstown train station, hospital and shopping amenities, which AccessAccom co-founder Matt Valenti said was vital.

“People with disabilities are very vulnerable, they may not have the right support around them and they will benefit hugely from living close to amenities and it reduces support costs in the long term,” he said.

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Ensuring NDIS (national disability insurance scheme) participants were in the right accommodation for their needs would help take the load off the healthcare system and housing supply issues, said Mr Valenti, who noted many were living pre-emptively in aged care and hospitals, group homes or private rental accommodation that didn’t suit their needs.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for NDIS participants, so many are just not aware that this exists and are in unsuitable housing, we want to drive that awareness as it does enhance independence,” he said.

AccessAccom helps NDIS participants navigate and apply for SDA (specialist disability accommodation). Rent is capped at 25 per cent of their disability support pension and 100 per cent of their commonwealth rent assistance.

“Recently we were able to help a participant who had an acquired injury who was initially rejected from SDA funding, its quite a complex and timely application processwe were able to assist in the process and get them into a home,” Mr Valenti said.

AccessAccom was focused on improving supply and working with developers that were building in “areas that have good infrastructure services.”

“Knowing that Suki doesn’t need to live prematurely in aged care away from his partner he can live in a building with his wife, so many people are unaware that they can live in a great apartment like Suki and Annie.”

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