Supported Decision Making

We all have a right to make decisions about things in our lives. These can be everyday decisions like what to wear and what to eat. It can also be big decisions like where to live or relationships.  

We often get support from other people to make decisions. This includes asking people their opinion, seeking advice or talking to professionals like banks or doctors.  

Some people with an intellectual disability might need additional support to make their own decisions. This is called Supported Decision Making.  

This page includes information about our advocacy, projects and resources on Supported Decision Making.  

Decision making is a human right 

People with an intellectual disability have the same right to make their own decisions as other people.  

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) reinforces this right in Article 3, Article 4 and Article 12.  Article 12 also says that people have the right to the support they may need to make decisions.  

Read more about the CRPD in Easy Read.  

Make Decisions Real 

Make Decisions Real was a national project codesigned by people with an intellectual disability for people with disabilities and families about making decisions. 

The project was established to increase the knowledge and skills of people with an intellectual disability and the people who support them about making decisions.

There are lots of co-designed resources like videos, conversation cards, factsheets, and posters to help you think about making decisions in your life. Find out more on the Make Decisions Real website.  

NDIS Supported Decision Making policy 

The National Disability Insurance Agency has a Supported Decision Making Policy. This policy is about helping people understand what supported decision making is, and how we can better support people with disability to make decision in the NDIS.

This includes things like applying, setting goals and how to use the supports in participants’ plans. Read more about the Supported Decision Making Policy.

With support from Inclusion Australia and the Department of Social Services (DSS), the NDIA has also made a website on the Disability Gateway called the Supported Decision Making Hub. The Hub includes information and resources for people with disability and their supporters. Find the Supported Decision Making Hub here.

Read our submission about Supported Decision Making in the NDIS. 

Supported Decision Making resources

Council for Intellectual Disability

• My Rights Matter supported decision making hub. Find the resources here.
• Good Life workbook to help people with an intellectual disability find a job. Find the workbook here.
• Supported decision making framework, also available in Easy Read. Download the framework here.
• Lived experience video about the importance of supported decision making. Watch the video here.

Speak Out Advocacy Tasmania

• Video with lived experience stories talking about help with big decisions. Watch the video here.

Developmental Disability WA

• Supported decision making online learning resources for parents, friends, family members, support workers, team leaders, coordinators and allied health professionals. Access the course here.

Resources from other partners and supporters

• Flinders University has a supported decision making online toolkit for behaviour plans. Download it here.
• NDIS paper about supporting you to make your own decisions. Download it here.
• Library of practice guides, legal information and lived-experience stories about supporting decision-making. Find the resources here.

Our Supported Decision-Making resources 

• It’s Doctor Time! conversation cards

  20 August 2024 Related topics:

  • Supported Decision Making
  • The voice of people with intellectual disability
  • Health

  Conversation Cards to help people with intellectual disability, their supporters and service providers learn more about yearly health checks and what happens during the appointment.

  

• It’s Doctor Time! for people with intellectual disability

  3 July 2024 Related topics:

  • Health
  • Supported Decision Making
  • The voice of people with intellectual disability

  Easy read factsheets, videos, conversation cards, and a social story to help people with intellectual disability get their yearly health check.

  

• It’s Doctor Time! for families and supporters

  3 July 2024 Related topics:

  • Health
  • Supported Decision Making
  • The voice of people with intellectual disability

  A range of resources for family members, support people or carers to help the person you care about get their yearly health check.

  

• It’s Doctor Time! for Service providers and support workers

  3 July 2024 Related topics:

  • Health
  • Supported Decision Making
  • The voice of people with intellectual disability

  A range of resources for service providers to help the people you support get their yearly health check.

  

• It’s Doctor Time! for General Practice staff and other medical professionals

  3 July 2024 Related topics:

  • Health
  • Supported Decision Making
  • The voice of people with intellectual disability

  A range of resources for GPs, practice staff or other medical professional to support people with intellectual disability to get their yearly health check.