Family & Pet-Friendly Accessible Accommodation.Adam Smark, our team member here at Accessible Accommodation, checked out one of our top five accessible places to stay in New South Wales.A recent amputee, Adam understands the challenges in adjusting to a life where accessibility is crucial for his mobility. When Adam uses his prosthetic, he has more flexibility on where to stay. However, we asked Adam to critique Hollyhall as a part-time wheelchair user. This is his story: The Setting:Hollyhall is a working farm and Equestrian Training Centre set in The Southern Highlands, between Sydney and Melbourne. My partner Tracy loves horses, so when I told her we were going to stay at Hollyhall, she jumped at the chance. As we entered the automatic gates and drove down the gravel road, the last remaining autumn leaves, a nip in the air and lush green grass greeted us. Jan and John, the owners ensured the wood fire was burning for our arrival into this cosy cottage.

 7 On Merindah, a cosy Coochie Accessible Hideaway - the perfect place to rest, revive and rejuvenate, on Coochiemudlo Island.Coochiemudlo is a small island in Moreton Bay, off the coast of Victoria Point, Qld. It is just a short 10-minute boat journey across the bay, via a ferry or car barge. On Coochiemudlo Island, you get away from the commercialism of the mainland and the pressure of living in this busy modern world. Coochiemudlo Island However, if you have forgotten anything or need a little more civilization, then a bus can be caught off the ferry for a short ride to Victoria Point, where you will find Event Cinemas, the usual shops, fast food restaurants, bars and restaurants. There is even The Sharks social club that has entertainment. As there isn’t a Supermarket, I recommend you bring your groceries for your stay or shop online at Woolworths, as they deliver 3 days a week. Remember, you're here to rest, revive and rejuvenate in a peaceful island setting.

Properties Exceeding the Minimums in AccessibilityIt’s a special kind of feeling that comes from a hotelier who understands and accommodates their guests' needs. By adding those extra little things that make a stay even better, they're not just providing a great service but creating a memorable experience. In this month's blog, we highlight some exceptional Quest properties that have exceeded the minimum accessibility standards for their guests.Quest Burwood EastQuest Burwood East stands out in the realm of accessibility, being the first Tier 3-Assisted Wheelchair User property of its kind through Accessible Accommodation. Its unique features include an Electric Adjustable Hi-Lo Bed, Commode and Mobile Hoist (BYO sling). The property also offers sensor bins, lowered amenities, and an easy-pour-tipping kettle for added convenience.Their conference facilities also accommodate people who use wheelchairs. All conference rooms are located on the same floor and have direct access from the car park.Quest Burwood East – Victoria

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 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