Resource Link

https://health.ucdavis.edu/mind-institute/centers/cedd/supported-decision-making

Resource Description

Introduction: This guide explains Supported Decision-Making (SDM), which helps people with disabilities make their own choices with support. It includes four short videos and written materials that show families there are better options than conservatorship. The guide comes from the American Civil Liberties Union.

Resource Summary

Content Summary: The guide starts by explaining that when someone turns 18, families often think conservatorship is the only way to keep helping their loved one. But conservatorship takes away a person's right to make choices, and it's very hard to end once it starts. A judge can even replace family members with a different guardian. Through four videos, the guide shows how SDM works better than conservatorship. SDM lets people keep their right to make choices while getting help they need. The first video explains that making our own choices helps us live better lives. Even if we need help understanding things, we should still have the final say. The second video explains problems with conservatorship. It treats decision-making like an all-or-nothing thing, but that's not true. People might need different levels of help with different kinds of choices. Taking away someone's right to choose doesn't make them safer. The third video shows how SDM works in real life. People with disabilities share their stories about making choices with help from others. They talk about how helpers explain options clearly and give them time to think about choices. The fourth video gives steps for starting SDM. First, think about what kinds of help you want. Then, work through choices by looking at your goals and options. Finally, pick trusted people to help with different parts of life, like health care or social choices. The guide includes forms to write down who your helpers will be and what kind of help you want. There's also a workbook that goes with the videos. The main message is that people with disabilities can make good choices when they have good support.