Supported Decision-Making A Guide to Independence For Individuals with Disabilities & the Elderly
Supported Decision-Making A Guide to Independence For Individuals with Disabilities & the Elderly
Supported Decision-Making A Guide to Independence For Individuals with Disabilities & the Elderly
RESOURCE TYPE
Information | Tool/form | Guide
LANGUAGE
English
AUDIENCE
Caregivers | Individuals with disabilities | Advocates | Family members
Resource Description
Introduction: This document is a guide about Supported Decision-Making in North Dakota. It was created by the Protection & Advocacy Project in 2021 to help people with disabilities and older adults keep their independence while getting help with decisions. The guide explains how Supported Decision-Making works as a less strict option than guardianship.
Resource Summary
Content Summary: Supported Decision-Making lets adults choose trusted people to help them make choices, without giving up their right to decide. The helper, called a Supporter, can explain choices, help gather information, and share the person's decisions with others. But the person makes their own final choices. The idea started in North Dakota in 2017 when a group began studying how to help people keep control of their lives while getting support. They looked at what other states did and talked to many people. In 2019, North Dakota made it a law. The guide tells how to pick a good Supporter - someone who listens well, is patient, and respects privacy. It explains what Supporters can and cannot do. They can help explain options and gather information, but they cannot make decisions for the person. To make it official, the person and their Supporter sign an agreement. The agreement lists what kind of help the person wants, like help with money, housing, health care, or jobs. Two witnesses or a notary must watch them sign it. Either person can end the agreement at any time. The guide includes a form people can use to create their agreement. It also lists other ways to get help with decisions, like power of attorney or medical directives. The Protection & Advocacy Project offers this help free to North Dakotans with disabilities. The guide was inspired by Jenny Hatch, who in 2013 became the first person to win the right to use Supported Decision-Making instead of guardianship. Her story helped change laws across the United States to give people more control over their lives.