Beck Egan, Inclusive Housing Australia's (IHA) Customer Engagement Officer, recently sat down with one of our happy customers, Blake to talk about his Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) experience with IHA.
Blake has lived in his Narangba home for the last two and a half years and enjoys the many accessible features that are offered with the property including the convenient and spacious layout. Using a wheelchair meant that Blake needed a home that catered for his mobility needs and the large rooms and wide hallways in the Narangba property made it comfortable for him to navigate his home with ease. Blake enjoys the independent lifestyle that comes with the layout of his home.
I can get around a lot easier which gives me my independence. I don’t need to be nervous about which room I am not going to fit into. (Blake)
Like in all our Narangba properties, Blake loves his ensuite bathroom and having access to multiple living spaces within the home. Blake enjoys arts and craft and has decorated his home by displaying his art on the walls throughout.
Blake also values the property’s added features of the carers accommodation and the backyard and lock-up garage for convenient storage. The home is secure and safe with electronic access features making it easy for Blake to keep his home secure both when he is at home and not at home.
Outside his home, the estate surrounding offers Blake smooth sailing access via wide footpaths to the local community. Blake enjoys taking his wheelchair down to the local park that is only a couple of streets away. The local community are friendly and accepting and the park is safe and accessible.
Throughout his tenancy, Blake has greatly appreciated the support of the IHA team to help him to achieve his ongoing SDA goals.
The support that is provided is perfect, I find it easy to talk to IHA any time. (Blake)
Blake’s support coordinator was also instrumental in assisting him in his SDA journey and has ensured that Blake has the correct SDA funding in his NDIS plan that enabled him to secure this wonderful home. Prior to moving into Narangba, Blake lived in an aged cared facility where he could not live the independent lifestyle he desired.
Having the right supports in place in his home, has meant that Blake can focus on the things he enjoys most in his life such as watching the footy and going ten pin bowling through a local disability bowling league. Everything Blake needs to access from his home including shopping centres and public transport is all within twenty minutes. The location of his home has also fostered his independent lifestyle.
…..this home has given me a lot of independence, which is amazing. It is a forever home. It is something I can come home to and really call home. (Blake)