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Does it matter? Decision-making by people with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- PEOPLE FIRST (SCOTLAND), ANIMATE
- Publisher:
- Animate
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 84
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
This research examines whether supported decision making for people with learning disabilities offers a practical and safe alternative to substitute decision following a guardianship order. It aims to present their views within the current debate about the need to revise Scotland’s incapacity legislation. Peer researchers conducted interviews with 128 people who had a learning disability about their experiences of decision making. Overall, participants felt making decisions for themselves was important, emphasising the need to have choice and the freedom to be independent. Good practice examples of supported decision making are included. However, participants reported that they commonly experienced decisions being made about them without people asking, which left many participants feeling powerless and angry. The report also discusses the barriers to people with learning disabilities taking greater control of their decision making; challenges within the current guardianship system in Scotland; and the challenges to delivering supported decision making. The findings suggest that supported decision-making for people with learning disabilities can offer a safe and realistic alternative to substitute decision-making, but requires a significant change in mindsets as to the rights, resources and risks involved. (Edited publisher abstract)