To celebrate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), QAI and ADA Law are launching a new guide on Supported Decision-Making.
Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) states that people with disability have a right to be supported to make their own decisions. However, many people with disability are not receiving this support, and instead other people, such as family members or friends, Enduring Powers of Attorney, or guardians and administrators appointed by a tribunal, are making decisions for them.
These arrangements deny people with disability equal recognition before the law and can result in decisions that are not consistent with their views, wishes and preferences. In some situations, these arrangements can lead to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. They also perpetuate harmful attitudes and stereotypes about the capabilities of people with disability and hinder the realisation of an inclusive society.
The Supported Decision-Making: Helping people to make their own decisions guide, provides practical advice for people when making decisions about accommodation, services, and healthcare. It also provides guidance for people who may be supporting others to make some of these key decisions.
It is hoped that the guide will be particularly useful in Queensland hospitals, where many unnecessary applications for guardianship and administration appointments originate.
The aim of WEAAD is to raise awareness of elder abuse and discrimination against older people, many of whom live with disability. Denying a person’s right to make and be involved in decisions that impact them, is a form of abuse.
QAI hopes this guide will raise awareness of the importance of supported decision-making so that older people, and people with a disability, can exercise their legal capacity on an equal basis with others.
Access the guide here: