This video is an introduction to this resource.
Being able to participate in making decisions is a basic human right.
The foundation of current approaches to providing support for decision making are that everyone has the right to participate in decision making. 
People with cognitive disabilities, particularly those with intellectual disabilities or acquired brain injury, are likely to need support to make some decisions about their lives.
This resource has been designed for supporters of people with intellectual disabilities and people with acquired brain injury.  Supporters include: frontline managers, disability support workers, team leaders, clinicians, friends, spouses, parents and other family members. It can also be used by case coordinators, case managers, local area coordinators and ability linkers.
If you support a person with intellectual disability or acquired brain injury, this resource will be useful for you.

What you will achieve by working through this resource

​By the completion of this resource you will be able to:
  1. Reflect upon how you support people with cognitive disabilities to make decisions.
  2. Describe the steps, principles and strategies in the La Trobe Support for Decision Making Practice Framework.
  3. Apply your knowledge of the La Trobe Support for Decision Making Framework to supporting a person with cognitive disability.

How to use this resource

  • This is a fully online learning resource.
  • It comprises 6 separate modules. You should work through these in order because the learning material in one module will inform the next.
  • You can work through this resource alone or with colleagues. 
  • Modules include short video talks introducing key concepts and activity videos that demonstrate different aspects of support for decision making.
  • Activities are denoted with a pencil icon. They can be completed using the downloadable workbook located in the Resources section. Suggested ways of thinking about how to respond to the activities are also in the Resources section.
  • There is a short Glossary. Words that you may not have come across before are written in blue and linked to the word’s meaning. For example, click the blue word, choice, to see what it means. The full Glossary is found in the Resources section.
  • Each module will take you between 30 and 60 minutes to complete.
  • You can get in touch with the authors using the online Contact Form.​

Acknowledgements

This online learning resource was led by Professor Christine Bigby and Professor Jacinta Douglas from the Living with Disability Research Centre at La Trobe University. This work was developed through a process of research work and was supported with funding from the New South Wales Department of Family and Community Services (NSW FACS) managed by St Vincent De Paul Society NSW in partnership with the Living with Disability Research Centre. 

For a list of full credits click here.