Supported decision-making of persons with disabilities – Best practices of legislative reforms and delivery of support services at international level (COSP19 Side Event)

Supported decision-making, as enshrined in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), is fundamental to ensuring the autonomy, dignity, full participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. At its core, it recognizes that all individuals have the right to make decisions about their own lives and to be provided with the necessary support to do so. Effective support frameworks must be grounded in principles of respect, empowerment, and self-determination, enabling individuals to access information in alternative communication forms, understand available options, and make free and informed choices, determining their own lives. By placing the person at the center of the decision-making process, supported decision-making shifts away from substitute decision-making models towards approaches that uphold individual will and preferences.

Showcasing international best practices in supported decision-making highlights the importance of comprehensive legal and policy frameworks that guarantee access to appropriate support while safeguarding rights. This includes legislative reforms and the establishment of mechanisms that assist individuals in weighing alternatives, implementing decisions, and assuming responsibility for outcomes, thereby reinforcing independence on an equal basis with others. At the same time, robust oversight by independent authorities is essential to ensure regular review, accountability, prevention of abuse and continuous improvement of these systems by adequate supervision, training and monitoring mechanisms. Promoting such models at the international level offers an opportunity to share innovative approaches, strengthen cooperation among stakeholders, and advance the realization of self-determination and autonomy for all persons with disabilities.