Supported decision-making is when someone helps you make important decisions about your life and how you will live.

The NDIA updated the Reference Group about its work on their supported decision-making policy.

The NDIA will start to use the policy this year.

Reference Group members agreed that the policy is good because it was made with co-design.

Co-design is when people work together to plan something new.

Members explained that the NDIA should share information about its:

• short-term goals

and

• long-term goals.

Members explained that the NDIA needs to look at what stops people from taking part in supported decision-making.

Members shared that the policy should focus on intersectionality.

And should let people make decisions about the risks they want to take.

Members shared that further work should support people with disability to have more choice and control in their community.

And this work should include co-design with people from different backgrounds.

Members shared that there should be a focus on supporting people who live in group settings.

This includes support in building the skills they need to:

• make their own decisions
• have their own say.

Members explained that when a decision is made for someone, that person should understand how that decision affects their:

• NDIS plan
• day-to-day life.

Members shared it’s important that people with disability have different support groups they can share different issues with.

Members also shared that they wanted to know if the NDIS supports participants who face issues when making their own decisions.

For example, when guardians stop participants from making their own decisions.

A guardian is a person who acts and makes decisions for you.

Your guardian might be:

• a member of your family
• a friend
• chosen for you by the government.