Dilemmas in Supporting Choice :

An early morning discussion with Dr Michael Kendrick

Making choices can be challenging for any of us, however, even if we at times regret our decisions we would not want others to impose their choices upon us. While some people with disability may struggle with understanding and weighing up options, denying people choice is not the answer.

Presenting live from the United States, Dr Michael Kendrick will get us thinking about what it would take to ensure people with disability get to exercise as much choice as possible, and get better at decision-making. Join us for an early breakfast viewing at the CRU office in South Brisbane, or watch and participate online.

About the Presenter:

Dr Michael Kendrick is well known as an educator, advocate, consultant and author based in Nova Scotia, Canada. He worked in government and non-government agencies before becoming a consultant. Michael has been a regular visitor to Queensland for over 20 years. He brings an understanding of local and national issues, as well as an international perspective on the issues that people with disability and their supporters face as they strive to live in their community.

About the Topic:

This event is for everyone interested in the ethics and principles of what it takes to truly support a person with disability to make their own decisions.
As we support others to exercise choice, a lack of consistency in our approach can mean that people are ‘abandoned to choice’ on significant issues for which they have little life experience and then simultaneously denied choice on ‘day to day’ matters. The systems we operate in often promote ‘choice’ as a concept, but then fail to generate the choices that are promised. Michael will explore some of the dilemmas of supporting choice, with time for questions and discussion.

Download the Flyer here (pdf)

Download the Accessible flyer here (word doc)

There are 2 ways to participate in this event:

Option 1: Early Breakfast & Discussion at CRU, and view live stream

Thursday 25th November, 7.30am to 10am (Brisbane AEST)
CRU office, Level 2, 43 Peel Street, South Brisbane

Join us in the CRU office for a light breakfast and early morning conversation on choice with Dr Michael Kendrick. Refreshments from 7.30am to start at 8am start. There will be time for questions for Michael

Option 2: View Live stream

Thursday 25th November, 8.00am to 10am (Brisbane AEST)
Can’t make it in to the CRU office? Michael Kendrick’s presentation will be live streamed as a webinar so you can watch online and raise your questions too.

A recording of Michael’s presentation will be made available for a limited time (2 weeks) to people who have registered.

Who Should Attend:

Any person concerned about how to offer meaningful and legitimate choice to people with disabilities and how to ensure that people are safe and well supported in making their own choices.
This seminar will be of interest to people with disabilities, their families and workers, managers, advocates, board members and others who have regular involvement in people’s lives

Learning Objectives

These will be available soon

About CRU:

For over 30 years, Community Resource Unit has been working across Queensland to help people with disability take control of their lives and take their place in their community.

This event is subsidised by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services through an Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grant.