Effective decision-making support TEMP

About this project

Most people require support when making decisions about their lives. They may talk to friends and family, or seek support from professionals in relation to decisions about their health, finances, or career. Being able to make all kinds of decisions for ourselves is important for our mental health and well-being and increases self-determination and agency over our own lives.

People with cognitive disabilities (including intellectual disability and acquired brain injury) benefit from making their own decisions. Oftentimes, this requires support from other people.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) means that people with cognitive disability will be required to make decisions about the services they use and the kinds of care that they receive. Within this new climate decision-making is particularly important.

What is the project aiming to do?

It is not yet known what processes work best for providing support for decision-making, including what kind of training and education works for people who are supporting others to make decisions.

Academics at La Trobe University, The University of Sydney, The University of New South Wales, and Queensland University of Technology, have developed an education program and support package for people providing support for decision-making to a person with a cognitive disability.

This education program has been piloted and now requires trialling!

In order to explore the effectiveness of this education program, the researchers are seeking people who provide support for decision-making along with the person they support to take part in this research.