Concurrent Session:
There’s nothing more natural than supports for decision-making: Families using the CVA to reflect on recognizing capacity

Having your capacity to be involved in decision-making recognized, and autonomy respected, is widely acknowledged as one of the ‘Good Things of Life’.  Yet people with developmental disabilities are often considered to lack this capacity and thus, in many jurisdictions, have their decision-making status removed and transferred to another, despite mounting evidence that all people show preferences and communicate their will in nearly all situations. Furthermore, evidence shows that with good support, people can continue to grow in their decision-making competencies and be increasingly involved in directing their own lives.  Our Recognizing Capacity project has sought to offer families connected to DFR an opportunity to explore, notice and articulate important ideas around the decision-making capability of their loved one by articulating the culturally valued analogue - the typical ways most people make decisions. Over time, families begin to see parallels with their own family members and explore more deeply their current and growing voice. Using the wisdom and learning from families who found ways to support their loved one’s capacity to be seen, and identifying some practical strategies, as well as critical mindsets, one can enable people’s capabilities to be recognized and acknowledged.