Supported decision making trial in SA

The United Nations explains Article 12 and the use of supported decision making in the following way (United Nations Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2008):

The Convention recognizes that some persons with disabilities require assistance to exercise this capacity, so States must do what they can to support those individuals and introduce safeguards against abuse of that support. Support could take the form of one trusted person or a network of people; it might be necessary occasionally or all the time.

With supported decision-making, the presumption is always in favour of the person with a disability who will be affected by the decision. The individual is the decision maker; the support person(s) explain(s) the issues, when necessary, and interpret(s) the signs and preferences of the individual. Even when an individual with a disability requires total support, the support person(s) should enable the individual to exercise his/her legal capacity to the greatest extent possible, according to the wishes of the individual.

Source: Developing a model of practice for supported decision making

ABC radio story on this trial

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3398274.htm

Outline of the trial & process

http://www.opa.sa.gov.au/cgi-bin/wf.pl?pid=&hi=&mode=show&folder=../html/documents/09_Publications/Supported%20Decision%20Making&file=1-Summary%20of%20Supported%20Decision%20Making.htm

Developing a model of practice for supported decision making (manual)

http://www.opa.sa.gov.au/documents/09_Publications/Supported%20Decision%20Making/2-Supported%20Decision%20Making%20Practice%20Manual%20%20v1.4%20June%202011.pdf.pdf