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Living Independently with a Disability

Independent living means living on your own. Independent living can be achieved with or without a disability.

Independent living may include assisted living, supported independent living, and other types of support services available to those who need them.

This blog post will discuss different ways to live independently through NDIS Australia!

Independent Living Facilities

Independent living under the NDIS focuses on helping people develop the skills, routines, and support networks needed to live safely and comfortably in their homes and communities.

Supports may include help with:

  • Personal care and daily routines
  • Household tasks such as cleaning and cooking
  • Community participation and social activities
  • Transport and attending appointments
  • Building independent living skills

 

You can learn more about how daily supports are funded in our guide to NDIS funding categories.

Independent living is also known as disability independent housing.

People with disabilities can choose from small group homes or large apartment complexes.

Independent living services provide support such as housekeeping, transportation, social programs, personal care assistance and more!

As an accredited NDIS provider near you, Affective Care can help you find the right option for your needs.

The Department of Human Services DHS website will have information about different options for home modifications, including ramps, bathroom/shower accessibility etc.

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Explore NDIS supports that help you live more independently.

Independent Living Housing Options

People living with disability may choose from different living arrangements depending on their goals, support needs, and preferences.

Common independent living options include:

Living in Your Own Home

Many NDIS participants choose to live in their own house, apartment, or townhouse.

With the right supports in place, participants can receive assistance with daily tasks while maintaining independence. This may include support workers helping with cooking, household management, or community activities.

Home modifications may also be available through NDIS Capital Supports to improve accessibility, such as:

  • Wheelchair ramps
  • Accessible bathrooms
  • Safety modifications
  • Assistive technology

 

Independent living can also be found in group housing such as retirement communities, where the occupants’ rent covers all utilities, meals, activities, and other support services.

The NDIS Website lists Independent Living services under the “Disability Supports” tab.

While it is listed under disability supports, it can be used to help someone who wants to live independently at home.

Independent living support may include caregiver or personal care assistance, housekeeping and meal preparation.

Shared or Community Living

Some people choose to live with others in shared homes or supported housing environments.

These arrangements can provide both independence and community connection, while ensuring support is available when needed.

Participants may share a home with other people living with disabilities while receiving structured daily support.

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Refer a participant who may benefit from independent living support.

Supported Independent living

If you have a disability that impacts your ability to work, then NDIS Supported Independent Living might be the best option for you.

The NDIS website lists Independent Living Support Services under Disability Supports Tab, making finding these services more accessible than ever before.

This type of facility provides employment opportunities with other residents in group homes or individual apartments while still providing all necessary daily life support needs, such as meals, etc.

Independent living is all about providing people with disabilities the opportunity to live independently in their own homes and communities.

Independent Living Services are available through NDIS Australia, Independent Living Facilities or Independent Housing.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is often delivered in shared homes where participants receive daily support while maintaining independence.

If you would like to explore the types of SIL homes available, read our detailed guide on Supported Independent Living (SIL) accommodation options in Australia.

Benefits of Independent Living Supports

For many people, these supports create opportunities to live a more independent, meaningful, and connected life.

Independent living supports can provide many benefits, including:

  • Greater choice and control over daily life
  • Opportunities to develop new skills
  • Improved confidence and independence
  • Better community participation
  • Increased safety and wellbeing

 

Not every NDIS participant automatically receives SIL funding. Eligibility depends on a participant’s support needs and NDIS plan goals.

You can learn more in our guide on who is eligible for Supported Independent Living (SIL).

Ready to start your next life Chapter Living Independently?

At Affective Care, we offer Independent Living Services and Independent living support, including Caregiver or Personal care assistance, housekeeping and meal preparation through NDIS Australia!

Call us today to learn how we can help you live independently at home with Independent Living Support services.

Affective Care is here for you when it comes to Independent Living Supports in Sydney of NSW.

If you’re looking for an NDIS provider near you, give us a call today on 1300 615 593! Alternatively, visit our website: affectivecare.com.au

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Why Affective Care?

Trusted Partner in Your Life Journey

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Care with
Heart

Affective Care offers more than services. We bring genuine compassion and empathy to your NDIS and aged care journey, supporting your goals with kindness, respect and personalised care everyday.

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Empowering Your Journey

Your goals matter. Affective Care partners with you to build confidence, independence, and joy in your daily life through tailored NDIS and aged care support, always delivered with heart.

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Support with
Trust

Trust matters in care. That's why our experienced, compassionate team puts your wellbeing first. Delivering reliable, personalised NDIS and aged care support that makes a real difference every day.

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Together We
Thrive

At Affective Care, we walk beside ypour goals anmd live life ypour way. Our care empowers people living with disability and older Australians to thrive with confidence.

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Jessica Boumelhem

Jessica Boumelhem

Advanced Behaviour Support Practitioner | PBS Manager

NDIS-aligned | Systems-aware | Values-led

Jessica supports individuals and teams through:

Jessica brings over two decades of experience as an educator and a strong foundation in psychology to her role as an Advanced Behaviour Support Practitioner. As PBS Team Manager, she leads with clarity and accountability, ensuring practice aligns with both NDIS standards and ethical, person-centred care.

Her approach is holistic and collaborative, taking into account sensory, environmental, emotional, and relational factors that influence behaviour. Jessica works closely with individuals, families, and support teams to ensure behaviour support plans reflect personal values, lived experience, and real-world contexts.

Jessica’s leadership supports consistency, quality, and confidence across multidisciplinary teams. Her work ensures behaviour support is not just compliant, but compassionate, practical, and genuinely empowering.

Chady Aoun

Chady Aoun

Senior Psychologist and Behaviour Support Practitioner

Multidisciplinary | Assessment-driven | Governance-focused

Chady supports individuals through:

Chady is a highly experienced psychologist whose work spans both public and private sectors. At Affective Care, he delivers integrated behavioural and psychological services, supporting clients of all ages through assessment, therapy, and tailored intervention.

Known for his leadership within multidisciplinary teams, Chady brings structure, insight, and consistency to complex presentations. His expertise includes early intervention, rehabilitation, and complex case management, with a strong commitment to clinical governance and quality care.

Chady’s work is grounded in evidence-based practice and collaborative problem-solving. He supports individuals, families, and teams to navigate complexity with clarity, ensuring care remains ethical, coordinated, and effective.

Miray El-Hachem

Miray El-Hachem

Positive Behaviour Therapist & Registered Counsellor (ACA Level 2)

Holistic | Education-informed | Adolescent-focused

Miray supports individuals through:

Miray brings over 20 years of experience in education into her clinical work as a Positive Behaviour Therapist and Registered Counsellor. Her practice integrates behavioural science with a deep understanding of human development, particularly during adolescence.

She takes a holistic approach, blending structure with empathy to support individuals through behavioural challenges. Miray’s work is grounded in understanding the whole person—their environment, relationships, and emotional world.

Through compassion and insight, Miray supports individuals to develop self-awareness, regulation, and confidence. Her practice reflects a balance of science and humanity, creating space for growth that feels both supported and respectful.

Anabell Beattie-Bowers

Anabell Beattie-Bowers

Registered Psychologist

Relational | Empowerment-focused | Trauma-aware

Anabelle supports children and adults through:

Anabelle works alongside individuals with warmth, curiosity, and a deep respect for each person’s inner world. As a psychologist, she supports both children and adults to strengthen emotional awareness, build resilience, and develop healthier relationships with themselves and others.

Her therapeutic style is tailored and responsive, integrating approaches such as CBT, DBT, and Circle of Security to meet the unique needs of each client. Anabelle places strong emphasis on empowerment—helping people understand their patterns, reconnect with their values, and develop tools that support lasting change.

Anabelle’s work is grounded in safety, collaboration, and trust. She believes therapy is not about fixing people, but about creating space for insight, growth, and meaningful connection—supporting individuals to move forward with greater confidence and emotional clarity.

Brandon Boumelhem

Brandon Boumelhem

Occupational Therapist

Functional independence | Strengths-based | NDIS-focused

Brandon supports individuals through:

Brandon’s work centres on helping people build skills that translate into real, everyday independence. As an Occupational Therapist, he partners with individuals, families, and carers to identify what matters most in daily life and then builds practical pathways toward those goals.

His approach is client-centred and evidence-based, grounded in collaboration and respect for each person’s strengths, environment, and pace. Brandon understands that meaningful outcomes are rarely achieved in isolation, so he works closely with support networks to ensure strategies are realistic, sustainable, and supportive of long-term participation.

Through the NDIS, Brandon supports people to increase autonomy, confidence, and engagement in daily routines. His work is guided by a belief that independence is not about doing everything alone—it’s about having the right supports, skills, and systems in place to live with choice and dignity.

Natalie Soto

Natalie Soto

Registered Psychologist | PBS

Bilingual | Assessment-focused | Person-centred

Natalie supports children and adults through:

Natalie is a bilingual psychologist (English/Spanish) with extensive experience supporting individuals across the lifespan. Her work spans assessment and therapy, with a particular interest in forensic psychology and complex presentations.

She combines evidence-based practice with creativity and flexibility, tailoring interventions to each person’s needs, culture, and goals. Natalie’s approach is grounded in collaboration, ensuring clients feel understood, supported, and actively involved in their care.

Through thoughtful assessment and therapeutic intervention, Natalie supports individuals to build insight, resilience, and meaningful change.

Edric Limbo

Edric Limbo

Speech-Language Pathologist

Rehabilitation-focused | Goal-driven | Community-oriented

Edric supports individuals through:

Edric’s practice is centred on helping people reconnect—both with their communication and with their communities. Working with adults and children, he has a strong interest in stroke rehabilitation and supporting individuals through the process of rebuilding communication skills.

His approach is practical and goal-focused, ensuring therapy remains relevant to everyday life. Edric collaborates closely with clients and families to identify meaningful outcomes and develop strategies that support confidence, participation, and independence.

Edric finds deep fulfilment in witnessing people regain their voice and reconnect with others. His work is guided by respect, patience, and a belief in each person’s capacity for recovery and growth.

Heather Pinel

Heather Pinel

Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner & Registered Counsellor

Trauma-informed | Neuroscience-integrated | Relational

Heather supports individuals through:

Heather is an accomplished Behaviour Support Practitioner with over 20 years of experience supporting children and families. Her work integrates neuroscience, psychological theory, and trauma-informed practice to address complex presentations including attachment trauma, neurodevelopmental differences, and psychosocial disability.

Heather’s approach is collaborative and whole-person focused, ensuring behaviour support plans reflect both evidence and lived experience. She works closely with families and support networks to build strategies that enhance emotional wellbeing, safety, and functional independence.

Her commitment to holistic care ensures individuals receive support that honours identity, relationships, and long-term quality of life.

Charbel Azzi

Charbel Azzi

Speech-Language Pathologist

Communication | Connection | Technology-enhanced

Charbel supports children and adults through:

Charbel’s work is driven by a passion for helping people connect more fully with the world around them. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, he supports both paediatric and adult clients to strengthen communication, social interaction, and participation in daily life.

Since 2022, Charbel has worked across diverse settings, tailoring therapy to each person’s goals, strengths, and communication style. He has a particular interest in integrating technology into therapy, using innovative tools to enhance engagement and outcomes.

Charbel brings curiosity and creativity into his practice, believing communication is not just about words, but about connection, confidence, and belonging. His approach supports individuals to express themselves more clearly and engage meaningfully with others across home, school, work, and community environments.

Nisreen El-Saidi

Nisreen El-Saidi

Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

Grace Boutros

Grace Boutros

Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

Shayma Sadek

Shayma Sadek

Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

Ali Bazzi

Ali Bazzi

Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

Areeba Chaudhry

Areeba Chaudhry

Casual Allied Health Assistant

Joana Suh

Joana Suh

Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Neurodiversity-affirming | Strengths-based | Mental health-focused

Joana supports children, adolescents, and adults through:

Joana is a Senior Occupational Therapist with a strong commitment to neurodiversity-affirming practice. She works with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing complex emotional and behavioural needs, including bipolar affective disorder and other mental health conditions.

Her experience spans a range of developmental and neurodevelopmental presentations, including autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome. Joana’s clinical focus includes building fine motor, cognitive, sensory, and emotional regulation skills to support participation in everyday life.

Joana is particularly passionate about peer-mediated, client-centred, and strengths-based approaches. Her work supports individuals of all ages to increase social inclusion, functional independence, and overall quality of life.

Rita Dagher

Rita Dagher

Psychologist | Managing Director – Affective Care & Affective Health Services

Humanistic | Systems-led | Clinically grounded

Rita supports individuals, families, and communities through:

Rita works at the intersection of psychology, leadership, and purpose-driven care. As a psychologist and Managing Director, she brings both clinical depth and strategic clarity to every layer of service delivery at Affective Care and Affective Health Services. Her work is grounded in the belief that systems should adapt to people—not the other way around.

With a strong clinical foundation and a humanistic leadership style, Rita ensures that psychological therapy, allied health, and in-home supports remain emotionally intelligent, ethical, and genuinely person-centred. She leads teams with integrity, cultivating cultures of safety, reflection, and excellence so that practitioners can deliver their best work and clients can experience care that feels respectful and empowering.

Rita’s approach bridges therapeutic insight with organisational vision. She understands that sustainable outcomes require both skilled clinicians and well-designed systems. Through thoughtful leadership and clinical oversight, she supports services that respond to complexity with compassion, accountability, and innovation—creating meaningful, long-term impact for individuals, families, and the broader community.