Everyone Deserves a Say: What is Supported Decision Making?
At Independent Living, we believe that everyone — including disabled people and older adults — should be supported to make their own decisions, in ways that respect their rights, preferences, and independence.
That’s the heart of Supported Decision Making (SDM), a powerful approach that ensures people can have real control over the choices that affect their lives — from health care and housing to relationships and money matters.
Whether you're a support worker, whānau member, or someone navigating decisions for yourself, understanding supported decision making is more important than ever.
What is Supported Decision Making?
Supported decision making is a shift away from “making decisions for someone” to “supporting someone to decide.” It recognises that decision-making ability isn’t all-or-nothing — many people can make informed choices if they have the right support.
This could include:
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Extra time to think through options
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Accessible information (like Easy Read or visual guides)
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Talking things through with someone they trust
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Using tools or prompts to weigh up choices
It’s about recognising that everyone communicates and processes information differently — and that shouldn’t mean losing the right to decide.
New Guidelines from Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People
Whaikaha has recently launched a dedicated resource hub: Support My Decisions. It’s designed to help people understand what supported decision making looks like in practice — whether you’re a disabled person, older adult, carer, or provider.
The site includes:
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Practical tips for giving and receiving decision support
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Easy Read resources
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Scenarios across health, finances, relationships and more
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Guidance on rights and responsibilities
The aim? To promote mana-enhancing, inclusive support that reflects the Enabling Good Lives vision.
These guidelines reinforce what Independent Living and Enabling Good Lives advocate for - allowing people to stay at the centre of decisions about their own lives.
Real Tools Making a Difference
Alongside Whaikaha’s guidelines, other tools and organisations are also helping bring supported decision making to life.
One such example is Volition, a self-advocacy group led by and for disabled people. They’ve developed a decision-making app - co-designed with the community -that helps users work through everyday decisions, big or small. It’s one of many tools people might explore to support their confidence and autonomy.
Other valuable resources include:
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Community Law’s legal explanations - when others can and can’t make decisions on behalf of someone
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NZ Dementia’s best practice advice for those supporting someone with changing capacity, such as dementia, Alzheimer's or general ageing.
How Can We all play a part to Support?
Supporting someone’s decision doesn’t mean agreeing with them or steering them to the “right” outcome. It means:
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Respecting their right to make choices (including risky ones)
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Providing clear, accessible information
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Checking for understanding — not making assumptions
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Making space for dignity and independence, at every step
Final Word
Supported decision making isn’t just a rights-based idea — it’s a human right! It reminds us all that being in control of your own choices is a key part of dignity, self-worth, and wellbeing.
Independent Living is committed to supporting environments where everyone can feel heard, informed, and in charge of their life — no matter their age, communication style, or support needs.
We’re happy to assist you and a loved one in making good decisions. Our impartial and free advice about assistive technology, mobility support and disability advisory is available to all.
If you're unsure where to start, the Support My Decisions website is a great entry point.