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Maki's story

Case study

Follow along with the images and text.

Ever since she was in high school, Maki has dreamed of owning a boutique clothes shop. She took a keen interest in fashion at school, followed her favourite fashion designers on social media, and worked at her Aunty's fashion store on weekends.

Opening her own store is all she ever wanted to do!

But when school finished and she had to decide what to do next, she needed advice and assistance.

Maki has an intellectual disability and has always been supported in her decision-making by her family, including her Aunt. Maki has an opportunity to go to TAFE and learn about opening a small business. She really wants to do the course, but her mother wants her to work full time in her Aunty's clothing store. Her mum says she will not cope with the TAFE course and that she would be helping her Aunty out if she worked for her.

Supporting Maki's decision-making

What factors do you think are relevant to Maki when choosing a good supporter for assistance with her decision about whether to go to TAFE?

  1. Maki does not need a supporter; a small business course is not right for Maki because she has an intellectual disability
  2. Anybody could be a supporter for Maki
  3. Maki's supporter should empower her to make decisions
  4. Maki should have her mother as a supporter, because she is protective.

Open the accordian to find the correct answer.

Correct answer

3. Maki's supporter should empower her to make decisions

Maki may need an independent supporter to ensure that she has appropriate support to understand the factors influencing her decision and to assist with thinking through consequences or communicating information in a way Maki can understand. For example, she might rely on a support person to assist in breaking down information into several parts, pointing out the pros and cons of the decision or discussing information over a period of time rather than in one session.

Maki gets independent support

An independent supporter is needed for this decision because there is a conflict of interest with Maki's current supporters as:

  • Her Aunty has a conflict of interest as she may want Maki as an employee not as an owner of a rival clothing shop
  • Maki's mother may not believe Maki can be supported to do the TAFE course and wants her to keep her current employment with her Aunt

But there are other options for Maki to find the support she may need. She could:

  • get independent support, for example, from an advocacy service, from a trusted staff member from an existing service provider, or by accessing the TAFE disability advisory service
  • access a careers advisor, for example, through her school
  • get support from a trusted friend or a family member other than her mum or Aunt

Also, Maki's mum and Aunty may still be able to give advice to an independent supporter on how Maki likes to communicate. Maki may prefer a specific way of communicating, for example, in plain English, through a discussion rather than in writing, or using visual prompts.

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Last updated:

27 Nov 2024