A 61-year-old participant who sustained a spinal cord injury at the C5 level, resulting in a significant physical disability. He requires full assistance from his support team for all activities of daily living, including personal care, community participation, and social engagement.
His home is split-level, which creates major accessibility challenges. He was unable to access essential areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. To address this, complex home modifications were recommended to ensure he could safely and independently access key areas of his home.
The request for complex home modifications was submitted in August 2023. After extensive follow-ups and formal complaints, the modifications were approved in October 2024 (14 months later) excluding the internal lift. The approved modifications were completed in July 2025. However, when the plan was approved, funding for home modifications was allocated, but his Core and Capacity Building budgets were significantly reduced. A Change of Circumstances form was lodged with the NDIA, but there was no response and his funds were exhausted.
As a result, he was at risk of hospital admission due to a lack of essential supports. His care provider even recommended hospitalisation. The Specialist Support Coordinator (SSC) escalated the matter to the NDIA escalation team, and an interim plan was approved within two days, preventing unnecessary hospitalisation. Later, a plan review was completed, and a new plan was approved that met his needs and ensured both he, and his informal supports, were satisfied.
