Best Practices In Supported Decision-Making
Cloverleaf Advocacy, Dewsbury, United Kingdom, believes that people with any form of disability or mental health problem are equal members of society, and that everybody has the right: to plan their own life, to be listened to, to be taken seriously, and to be respected. Cloverleaf Advocacy challenges discrimination and advocates for full participation and user involvement services so that people with disabilities can make decisions about their own care, make an impact on services which they use, and influence other decisions which affect their own lives. More information is available at: http://www.cloverleaf-advocacy.co.uk/.
Community Living Ontario, Ontario, Canada, has as its goal that all persons live in a state of dignity, share in all elements of living in the community, and have the opportunity to participate in the community effectively. The web page offers detailed information on the main principles of supported decision-making services. More information is available at: http://www.communitylivingontario.ca/page/individualization.aspx.
The Down´s Syndrome Association (DAS), Teddington, United Kingdom, focuses on all aspects of living successfully with Down's syndrome. It provides information and support for people with Down's syndrome, their families and caregivers, and serves as a resource for interested professionals. The organization champions the rights of people with Down's syndrome and is a member of the Making Decisions Alliance. More information is available at: http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/.
Manitoba Family Services and Housing, Manitoba, Canada, provides information on supported decision-making in Manitoba under The Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Act. More information is available at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/pwd/vpact_decision.html#what.
MacIntyre, Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom, is a charity providing lifelong education, care, and support for children and adults with learning disabilities. Its person-centered planning (PCP) is an empowering approach to help people who want to make changes in their life, achieve their goals, plan for the future, and organize the systems and support they need to live "a life that makes sense to them." More information is available at: http://www.macintyrecharity.org/.
The Personal Advocacy Trust, Wellington, New Zealand, was formed by parents concerned about the welfare of their intellectually disabled child when the parents pass away. In exchange for a fee, the Personal Advocacy Trust provides a trained, supervised advocate for the rest of the child's life after the parents are unable to care for him or her. Advocates visit regularly and speak up, with and for the person with a disability. Advocates act when the individual's rights are not being respected. They also monitor the support provided to ensure that it is appropriate. They often provide supported decision-making for financial matters. Advocates speak for the children in a wide range of areas including ensuring that they have appropriate accommodation, their health needs are being met and that they are not being abused.. More information is available at: http://www.weka.net.nz/DSS/dss.nsf/adb582e2c71e0115cc256e55000f7da3/2308923c59bb8848cc256a4b007201c9?OpenDocument.