Five elements are critical to the success of developing housing that supports independence and inclusion:
Proximity to shops, transport and other services is critical to enable people with disability to easily get out and about and to have a meaningful life. Location near family and friends and living in a familiar neighbourhood is also essential for maintaining relationships and community inclusion.
A range of smart home technology is incorporated into dwellings and buildings to maximise tenant independence, including technology to alert staff in the event of an emergency or need for unplanned support. Built-in wiring and cabling enables cost effective future installation of home automation for tenants.
All dwellings are designed to meet a high level of accessibility with the ability to be customised to the requirements of the occupant. The intention is to enable people to do as much for themselves as possible. The design also supports cost effective adaptation in response to an individual tenant’s changing needs over time, as well as the needs of tenants who may live in the apartments in the future.
Buildings are designed to support easy navigation for wheelchairs on key paths of travel from the project apartments. Additional initiatives and features are also incorporated where appropriate, such as the inclusion of emergency power backup for building services and essential communication technology.
Externally the project apartments are not distinguishable from other apartments. Their integration into the building provides opportunities for tenants to be part of the building's community and establish relationships with neighbours as desired.
