Our focus on accessible living

Having recently added home modification assessments and Specialist Disability Accommodation housing (SDA) to a growing list of services, Rocky Bay now have a dedicated Advanced Clinician Assistive Technology and Advanced Clinician Home Modifications and SDA, who will provide customers with high-quality support in Assistive Technology (AT), home modifications and SDA assessments.

Rocky Bay’s Advanced Clinician Assistive Technology, Amy Savourey, will focus on providing support to customers who are selecting suitable AT to support their NDIS goals, provide training in AT for other therapists, as well as up-to-date information on AT developments within the disability sector.

This exciting new role will also support other Rocky Bay therapists in completing AT applications and prescribing AT for their customers, advocate for customers’ AT needs when it comes to the NDIS or other funding bodies, and continuously research and implement innovative AT options for Rocky Bay customers to ensure they are fully supported.

Rocky Bay’s dedicated Advanced Clinician Home Modifications and SDA, Lisa Chick, is one of Rocky Bay’s recognised NDIS Complex Home Modifications Assessors, and will support customers throughout the home modifications process with NDIS and carry out SDA assessments with customers.

The role will see Lisa mentor and provide training to Rocky Bay’s occupational therapists on carrying out SDA assessments, including documentation to support the application process for SDA funding eligibility, as well as training on the home modifications process.

This dedicated role will ensure customers are fully supported throughout their home modification and SDA assessment journey, which includes the required functional reports to support the application process for SDA funding eligibility.

You can read more about how Lisa and the team supported one of our customers, Michael Pisan, earlier this year with home modifications which allowed him greater independence and enabled him to move around his home more freely.

To find out more about Lisa’s role and what it involves on a day-to-day basis, check out our below Q&A!

MEET LISA

How long have you been working with Rocky Bay?

I have worked as an occupational therapist for seven years, and been with Rocky Bay for three years. I’ve supported people living with disability for my entire career.

Describe a typical day?

My role is newly developed, and involves both home modifications and Specialist Disability Accommodation (also known as SDA).

I am one of Rocky Bay’s Complex Home Modifications Assessors, which means that I support customers throughout the NDIS process for major home modifications (structural works).  This includes assessing someone’s home environment, making recommendations for modifications, completing reports and funding applications for NDIS, and liaising with project managers and building teams. I also provide mentoring to other Rocky Bay occupational therapists (OTs) for minor and moderate home modifications.

My role around Specialist Disability Accommodation focuses on the eligibility assessment required for customers to apply for NDIS funding.  I complete SDA Functional Assessments and reports with customers, as well as provide training to other OTs in how to complete the assessments. Part of my role is to make sure that we are up to date with any NDIS requirements and changes for SDA, so that we are able to provide a high quality service to customers.  I also participate in a focus group for Rocky Bay SDA properties.

Tell us more about your experience in the field?

I have worked as a generalist community OT in both Queensland and Western Australia.  Most of my work has been focused on equipment prescription and home modifications.

In the last couple of years I have completed additional training for home modifications, and have worked as a Complex Home Modifications Assessor at Rocky Bay for about a year.

What do you love most about your role?

Seeing the finished product for a home modification is great – being able to actually access your home can make such a difference to a customer’s independence.  I also enjoy working in the Assistive Technology team.

What do you love to do in your free time?

I love to explore Perth for new cafes and restaurants.

What are three things you can’t live without and why?

1. My friends and family – self-explanatory!
2. My two mini dachshunds – their sassy nature keeps me on my toes
3. Music – it’s a great way to unwind and relax