Some people with disabilities need support to make decisions. We have a right to get that support instead of having decisions imposed on us or made for us (known as substituted or substitute decision-making). Too many persons with disabilities under guardianship or administration orders are not seeing their rights upheld.
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) believes that models of supported decision-making must replace substituted decision-making models for people with disability wherever possible. In the long term, that means a transition from Australia’s guardianship system to a national supported decision-making framework. Meanwhile, urgent action is needed to prevent harm to people with disability who remain subject to guardianship & administration during the transition’s planning and implementation.
PWDA have made a submission to the Disability Royal Commission detailing our recommendations, which are based on on the experiences of PWDA’s individual advocacy clients, as well as systemic issues identified by PWDA’s individual advocates.
PWDA’s individual advocates have extensive experience working with people subject to guardianship, administration and financial management orders in New South Wales and Queensland. This submission also reflects the experiences and views of PWDA’s Board members who are people with disability with extensive involvement and experience in the disability rights sector.
For more about the Disability Royal Commission hearing on guardianship & supported decision making, go to Royal Commission website.
