Informed consent has typically been viewed as a mandate which emphasizes transparency, where clients fully understand their options, potential risks, and benefits before making a decision about their vocational rehabilitation journey. Viewed as an aspirational, rather than a directive approach, informed consent needs to be should be regarded as informed choices or empowered collaboration. This promotes a partnership model where professionals and clients work together, respecting the client’s autonomy, goals, and lived experiences. By adhering to these principles, we foster trust, enhance client engagement, and develop tailored interventions that align with our ethical standards and client aspirations, leading to meaningful and sustainable vocational outcomes.
This session is a call to action to encourage participants to integrate these principles into their practice. We will review the definitions and principles of informed consent and in small groups examine some of the challenges and applications of informed consent.
