Supported decision-making – theoretical and practical guide for interpreters

The handbook presents and suggests opportunities to improve support in communication with people with intellectual disabilities. It is suitable for:

– Professionals who work with people with intellectual disabilities and who are looking for opportunities to present and improve communication with this group, as well as to improve the interaction of this group with third parties;

– People who are related to the topic "How can we ensure equality before the law for such a difficult (from the point of view of others) communication group?";

– Organizations that want to introduce innovative methods of training and working with people with intellectual disabilities.

The first part of the handbook presents the standards of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the framework of Bulgarian laws that affect access to the rights of persons with disabilities. Dedicated special sections discuss the specifics of communication with people with intellectual disabilities and the possibilities of supported decision-making.

An important part of the handbook is the shared experience of interpreters in court proceedings for accommodation in residential services of persons placed under full incapacity, including practical tools such as the interpreter's dictionary, communication research protocol and others.

You can read the whole manual here.

Authors: Nadia Shabani, Rositsa Savova, Maria Stancheva