Yes! Accessibility Can Be Beautiful, too. A perfect example is BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens in Victoria. We so enjoyed our stay, and I just had to share it with you.When Claire Height, the owner, decided to add an accessible cabin, she aimed for more than just functionality. Claire set out to create a cabin that combined stylish design with convenient accessibility, ensuring it would be both beautiful and user-friendly for all guests.

Accessible Accommodation were thrilled that Libby Coker, Member of Parliament representing the Corangamite Region celebrated our win at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in her speech in Parliament House, Canberra today.Here is the transcript:The Electorate of Corangamite in Victoria is a beautiful place home to the Great Ocean Road, the stunning surf coast and the Bellarine Peninsula. Our hospitality and excellence in tourism is well known. Our message to visitors is come and experience our unique natural beauty taste the flavours and quality of our food and wine and of course.And it's a message that is reflected in the extraordinary achievement of three local businesses who won gold, silver and bronze at the recent Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin and as chair of the NDIS Joint Standing Committee, I was thrilled to congratulate the silver medal winner, Kerry Williams, who took out the accessible tourism category. This result reflects Kerry's hard work, determination and excellence not only in enhancing our region's tourism industry, but also in leading the way in creating tourism accommodation that is inclusive and accessible for all.Her award is well deserved and I'm confident her success will inspire others to create to create innovative, accessible accommodation that supports people with disability. And it's a great business opportunity that addresses growing demand, deputy speaker Australia's tourism and travel industry delivers more than 60 Billion dollars to the economy and supports more than 650,000 jobs and 350,000 businesses across the country.

Coach and The Doctor Podcast With Ashlee Morton From Accessible Accommodation This week, our General Manager Ashlee had the pleasure of sitting down with Coach and The Doctor on their podcast which is ‘the show that raises awareness of the NDIS by speaking to incredible people in the world of disability’.  We have been asked to be a regular contributor to the show with a segment focusing on the world of travelling with a disability.  This week we introduced Accessible Accommodation, who we are and what we do. In future episodes, we will discuss topical news in the accessible travel sector, talk about advancements in the area and showcase some of our favourite properties across Australia.  Listen Here - Spotify Link Coach and The Doctor JaeMan Podcast - 14 June 2023Meet The Accessible Accommodation TeamThe team at Accessible Accommodation consists of individuals who either have a disability themselves or are family members of someone with a disability. This firsthand experience enables them to understand the diverse mobility needs of their guests and cater to them accordingly. Their aim is to empower individuals with mobility challenges who love to travel. They do this by addressing physical limitations, providing support requirements, and embracing personalized accessibility solutions.  

Accessible Holiday to Scarborough Beach & Rottnest Island. My parents live in WA and so when it was time to decide where we would catch up next, we decided to escape the chill of Victoria and chase the sunshine of the West Coast.  I hadn’t visited Scarborough before and so we decided to base ourselves at Ramada Vetroblu Scarborough Beach due to its central location. Staying At Ramada Vetroblu Scarborough BeachRamada Vetroblu Scarborough Beach Accessible AccommodationThe room itself was great with plenty of space, two bedrooms and an accessible bathroom but what impressed me so much was the fact that they had actually thought about accessibility when designing the kitchen.  Not only was there a cut-out under the sink but the bench tops were lowered as were the overhead cupboards – it’s the first time in my life I’ve been able to access overhead cupboards! I don’t even have this luxury in my own home.  

NDIS Short-Term Accommodation (STA) Funding - How It WorksShort-Term Accommodation (STA), including respite, is funding for a short time away from your usual home. It can be utilised to support you when your usual carers aren’t available, your usual carers need a short break from their caring role or for you to try new things.STA funding covers the cost of your care in another place for up to 14 days at a time. You might have a short stay with other people, or by yourself.The benefits of a short stay away from home include:gives you the opportunity to explore new activities and experiencescreating opportunities to make new friends and develop new skills.assisting in maintaining your current living situation by giving your informal support network a well-deserved break.STA funding covers the following:

NDIS (STA) Short Term and (MTA) Mid Term Accessible Accommodation through The NDIS. Thankfully the Australian Government’s NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency)  through the NDIS (National  Disability Insurance Scheme) recognises the need for people with disability, their Carers or Support Workers - to access inclusively designed accessible accommodation. As a result, it has added short and medium-term accessible accommodation as a potential service to be included within individual plans. (Formerly known as Respite). However, at Accessible Accommodation, we know that this service is not widely known, and the details of what it can provide are often misunderstood. This blog – the first in a two-part series – will help to clarify if you might be eligible to have it included in your NDIS plan, and how to apply and use the funding if you tick the boxes.We will demystify the questions surrounding NDIS funded short-term and medium-term accessible accommodation, but are always available to answer questions over the phone via 1300 180 889.

Short- and Medium-Term Accessible Accommodation Part 2 – How to use it?In part two (of our series about Short & Medium-Term Accessible Accommodation through NDIS) – we will help clarify where it should be included in your NDIS plan. Also, which support budget you can use. We recommend you read part one of our series on the topic before reading this. It will be easier to understand the process. Click HERE for part one.Let's start with understanding the NDIS Budget Categories:NDIS Budget CategoriesOnce your NDIS Plan is approved, your funds will be allocated into three support budgets. The following support budgets are generally concerned with STA and MTA. Your NDIA planner, LAC or Plan Manager will explain how your approved funds are split and which supports are applicable.Core SupportsThis is the most flexible support budget. The two categories under this support budget may help you access STA or MTA funding. They will be either one or both of:Assistance with social and community participation (e.g. supports to enable you to engage in social or recreational activities)Daily activities (e.g. assistance with self-care activities during the day or evening)There are many more categories under Core Supports and you can generally and flexibly take a little from one (e.g. consumables) to purchase supports in another (e.g. social and community participation).The real story: The NDIA found it reasonable and necessary to provide Fatima approved funding stated in her Core Supports as assistance in developing and/or maintaining Fatima’s independent living skills including, but not limited to, safety in the home, personal care, domestic tasks and personal respite as required. Source HERE from NDIS website.Capacity Building Supports