Support Decision Making Information Session

Do you need help making decisions because of a disability or illness?

Would you like to have a greater role in making your own decisions?

Do you know someone whose life would benefit from support to make their own decisions?

Do you know someone who requires support to make decisions?

Come along to a Supported Decision Making Information Session

Wednesday 2nd May 4.30 – 6.30 Legislative Assembly Building, London Circuit City

or

Friday 4th May 2pm – 4pm Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson St Belconnen

BACKGROUND:

Supported Decision Making enables people to create the life that they would choose for themselves by providing them with support to make their own decisions. Support might include assistance in access to information, communication, or building decision making skills.

Decision making capacity is not a black and white issue. People with impaired decision making are usually able to make some or all of their own decisions with appropriate support, or can contribute to the decision that is made.

Support is ideally given by a person who is unpaid and independent, values all people, is willing to nurture an ongoing relationship with the person they are supporting and able to represent that person’s interests as if they were their own.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (in particular Article 12), recognises the need for support for decision making for people with disabilities, and for provision of safeguards against abuse of that support. South Australia has been the first place in Australia to implement the intention of Article 12 through its Supported Decision Making Project.

These information sessions are an opportunity to hear first-hand about the experience of the South Australian Supported Decision Making project and to learn from it. While the project focussed on people with disabilities it has strong application in mental health and broader health, including aged care.

Come along to one of the information sessions to learn more about Supported Decision Making and the possibility of developing such a program in the ACT.

For more information contact ADACAS on 62425060

An initiative of the ACT Disability Advocacy Network and the ACT Government