New units unite residents living with a disability

TEN disability-friendly units will be opening in September to offer an independent lifestyle for people living with a disability.

Developer and construction manager, Ryan Medley, initiated the idea while he was in rehabilitation after a severe injury, losing much of his mobility and motor functions.

The units are located in central Dubbo and designed for all types of disability.

“There has always been a big need for disability housing in Dubbo, and we wanted to make sure the units provided future residents with the best opportunity to live independently,” Mr Medley said.

Livebetter executive manager for disability, Briette Parish, has been seeking expressions of interest from potential residents for the past few months.

Each unit is two bedrooms and will accommodate two compatible housemates.

“Currently we have 14 residents who are set to move in, but we still have a few beds remaining,” Ms Parish said.

She believes the facility is needed in Dubbo and will make a change in people’s lives.

“Before we proceed, we need to obviously go through background stuff with the NDIS and go through a compatibility and matching process.”

She wants friends to be living with friends and not strangers paired up because of the need for accommodation.

“If people don’t have a housemate, we can pair them up with one,” she said.

She said the units are different to other disability-friendly properties, due to changes under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

“It’s no longer that traditional, five-bedroom model where there are a group of people living together.”

She said the contemporary design allows people living with a disability more control and flexibility on how they choose to live.

She added the element of choice has never been offered to people before.

“This is a very exciting step, and we are looking forward to handing the keys over and moving residents in.

“Being in the location we are, people have the accessibility to live independently and not rely on community transport or family carers,” she added.

PHOTO NEWS. PHOTO: DUBBO Disability-friendly units are about to open in central Dubbo. Pictured are construction manager Ryan Medley with Livebetter’s Breitte Parish.