Overview of the workshop

The right to exercise choice and control in one’s life is a central principle for NDIS participants. This can be empowering and enabling for people who can speak for themselves, explain to others what is important to them, and share their hopes and dreams.

However, for people who communicate informally, achieving the choice and control promised through the NDIS is usually not as straightforward. Everyone has the right to make decisions about their own life and be supported to do so — both within the context of the NDIS and beyond!

Through this workshop, participants will be introduced to the concept of Supported Decision Making, particularly focusing on how its principles can be applied to people who communicate informally.

Dr Jo Watson will share her research and practice focused on supported approaches to decision making for people who communicate informally. The workshop will be fun and interactive, providing participants, circles of support, and staff teams with an opportunity to collaboratively focus on the specific communication and decision making of the person or people they support.

About Dr Jo Watson

Dr Jo Watson has worked in the disability sector for over 30 years as a Speech Pathologist, academic, and researcher, advocating for the voices of people with complex communication support needs to be heard.

Having lived and worked in Asia, Australia, and the USA, Jo is known internationally for her practice and research in supported decision-making mechanisms, particularly as they apply to people with complex communication support needs who communicate informally.

Her extensive practice and academic experience, coupled with her personal experience as a sister and daughter of two women with disability, have enabled Dr Watson to develop a deep understanding of the barriers and enablers to inclusion, equality, and citizenship for people with disability.

Jo is Associate Head of School (International) for the School of Health and Social Development in the Faculty of Health at Deakin University. She is the co-founding course director of Deakin University’s Postgraduate Disability and Inclusion Program in Melbourne, Australia, and an active researcher in the field of disability and inclusion.

Please check out Jo's fabulous Ted inspired talk given at the Financial Counselling Australia Conference in 2016.

Start with assuming that everyone can communicate and everyone can make decisions.

Additional Information

Jo’s workshop will finish at 3.30pm — and we’d love you to stay and join us for the Hunter Circles Annual General Meeting and Celebration starting at 4.00pm.

Come and hear about the communities and connections that we are building, see the launch of new films and resources, and celebrate the International Day of People with Disability with us.

Everyone is welcome!

Contact the host of Listening to people rarely heard - presented by Dr Jo Watson

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