This is a social justice project. It affects, or has the potential to affect, people across the whole of Durham Region and beyond. Barriers are experienced by a vast array people who are perceived as not having the cognitive skills to navigate decisions independently, and across a multitude of situations and touchpoints in community life. Capacity can be questioned while accessing healthcare; housing; financial services; when interacting with the police; lawyers; educational institutions; facilities and services run by the municipality and regional government; as part of employment or volunteering opportunities; when seeking services from local businesses, including stores, restaurants, gyms, salons; at community clubs and societies; and within a person’s home by paid workers, friends and family.

These areas represent a broad range and number of people and places in community who are directly or indirectly involved in recognizing or questioning a person’s capacity. There are also a variety of consequences of this conscious, or unconscious restricting of participation in decision making. As the project has gone on, it has become increasing clear that it begins with the capacity of those closest to the person, to expect, notice and listen deeply to their loved one, to all of the ways they are showing their will and preferences and communicating what is important to them. Then to interpret, support, augment if necessary, and role model to others how people can grow in their decision-making capabilities and confidence and be increasingly involved in directing their own lives.