Supported Decision-Making Service

Supported Decision-Making Service for Persons with Disabilities | Service Model

The Human Rights Center for People with Disabilitis

people surrounded by professionals and family); financial circumstances (people with financial

abilities vs. people living in poverty). Within all these variables, two unique attributes had a

dramatic impact on the support and should be addressed:

•

Young participants:

Support for very young persons (18-21), who are still in

educational institutions was substantively different and included more practice with

making decisions. In light of this insight, there is a need to develop specific supported

decision making services for young persons attending special education facilities, with

a focus on acquiring skills, help with managing disability benefits and support vis-à-vis

parents in exploring the possibility of implementing supported decision making in the

person’s life without appointing a guardian.

•

Fluctuating functioning:

One of the main challenges in support related to participants

with fluctuating functioning, such as participants who had experienced psychiatric or

medical hospitalization over the course of the year. In some of these cases, the need for

the supporter became more acute during these emergency situations, when the person’s

needs enhanced support for making decisions during the hospitalization. Attention

must be given to how support can be adapted to the changing circumstances of the

participant’s life.

h. Paid supporters:

The pilot was blessed to have devoted and professional volunteers. However,

the investment in the training of volunteers who supported only one person was rather high,

and the level of commitment and learning undertaken by the paid supporters, who supported

several persons, was much higher. Our conclusion is that supported decision making services

should be remuneration-based rather than volunteer-based. Volunteer based support responses

can and should be included (for instance, help from a finance professional with building a

financial plan), as an extra layer to boost support.