Supported Decision-Making: Everyone Has the Right to Make Choices

Do you know about supported decision-making?  Technically, it is the process of supporting an adult with a disability to make life decisions.  The general concept, though?  We all use it.  Think about when you ask someone in your life (family member, friend, physician)  their opinion about what you should do; you are really engaging in supported decision-making.  How to manage your diabetes, which apartment to rent, whether to choose Bob or Joe as your roommate; these are all decisions you might ask the opinions and advice of others.  For someone with a disability, the idea of supported decision-making is to help them assess the decision to be made, without impeding their ability to make that decision for themselves.

Supported decision-making is a viable alternative to guardianship, and is an idea whose time has come for many adults with disabilities.  For more information, check out the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making