Global-Report-Living-Colour-dr2-2

Inclusive Communities = Stronger Communities
GLOBAL REPORT ON ARTICLE 19: THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND BE INCLUDED IN THE COMMUNITY
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decisions with the help of the people who they are
closest to and who they trust, like family, friends and
colleagues. For people who require support to make
decisions, supported-decision making is a process
that grows and changes as the person does.
Supported decision-making can take many forms
and encompasses a range of supports. It could
include minimum levels of support such as
assistance in understanding a decision. This could
require the provision of plain language and/or
support to understand a decision or more intensive
levels of support like a support circle or network that
articulates an individual’s decision through
knowledge about the individual’s will or
preference. Even for those who can
articulate with words their vision for
living and being included in the
community or other decisions in
traditional ways, the right to support in
decision making is critical to inclusion.
Supported decision-making is a way for
ensuring that all people – regardless of
how others perceive their capacity to
make decisions – are able to have
control in their own life.
‰ Denial of the Right to Enter into Contracts
Not only do people with intellectual disabilities need
to be able to decide where and with whom they live,
living in the community requires being able to enter
contracts. We heard from families and self-advocates
about people being denied the right to enter rental
agreements, utilities contracts, employment
contracts, marriage, etc. whether because of a
guardianship order or because of the perception by
third parties of their “incapacity”. Third parties
including medical professionals, service providers,
financial institutions, lawyers, etc, who have liability