The disability self-direction movement: Considering the benefits and challenges for an Australian response

Abstract

The following article provides a snapshot of the current self-direction movement within the disability sector across the industrialised world, with particular emphasis on the Australian context. As a global movement, self-direction has been in progress for several decades through a variety of implemented responses. Despite implementation variation, all self-direction models aim to facilitate individual control and decision making in care and support services. We describe self-direction, its various models and programs, and explore its benefits and challenges. We conclude by making broad recommendations for decision makers involved in self-direction. In particular, we offer a hierarchical decision tree that can be used to inform policy decisions at a systems - government policy - and organisational level.