Supported Decision-Making Service

52 / 80

52
Supported Decision-Making Service for Persons with Disabilities | Service Model
The Human Rights Center for People with Disabilitis
Part B – Supplementary training sessions
The supplementary training sessions were intended to serve three main objectives: receiving
feedback from the supporters regarding their work, while raising principle issues for peer
discussion and learning; expanding the supporters' knowledge through structured learning; and
personal counseling for any supporter interested in receiving same. Sixteen support training
sessions were held, each consisting of three 45-minute units, once every three weeks, throughout
the term of the decision-making supporters' pilot (September 2014 – September 2015). The first
unit was dedicated to gathering and sharing by the supporters, while the two additional units were
dedicated to hands-on training with respect to a specific issue. In addition, individual training per
supporter (a fourth unit) was offered. The table below outlines the subjects and descriptions of
the sessions.
Session Date Subject Session description
1. Sep. 2, 2014 Communicating
with guardians,
getting
acquainted, and
trust building
Meeting with representatives of a guardianship
service.
Yotam led a discussion about communication with
guardians
Maya led a meeting about trust building and
familiarity. We discussed four elements which
should be emphasized in the initial trust-building
meetings: meeting location, who participates in the
meeting, what is subject is covered in the meeting,
and what method is applied.
Watched a short movie: "Walking in someone else’s
shoes" in conclusion.
2. Sep. 30,
2014
Goal setting
and personal
program
(including tools)
The session focused on two main subjects: how to
establish the relationship with the service recipient,
and how to set goals for the process.
With respect to establishing relationships – an
emphasis was put on how important it is to let
the person to present themselves through their
areas of interest and make the process reciprocal.
Issues which may be touched through dialogue,
activity, having a coffee together: what are your
dreams, what are the barriers in your life, who are
the significant persons in your life, what are your
greatest fears, etc.
With respect to goals: it was decided that several
realistic goals should be defined for a one year
process consisting of two weekly hours. It was
recommended to define two major goals and at
least one short-term goal for the next few months.
It is important to build a process for the purpose of
achieving the goals.