We all should be empowered to make our own decisions - whether that's deciding what to eat, or something bigger like buying your own home. No matter how big or small the decision is, you deserve to be a part of making them. If you are a person with a disability and need help making decisions, people in your life can be assigned roles to guide you. However, there are a lot of options, and it's important to know the difference between them.
The most restrictive (and often unnecessary) option is called Guardianship. If a court finds that a person cannot safely manage the things that belong to them and/or meet their basic health, safety, and self-care needs, the court will rule that this person as incapacitated. In many cases, after a court decides that a person is incapacitated, someone in their life becomes their Guardian. This person must make all your decisions for you - which means you lose your right to make them for yourself. Additionally, Guardianship is very hard to get out of, so it's best to try other alternatives to Guardianship first.
One great option to Guardianship is Supported Decision-Making. In this option, YOU are the decisionmaker. Supported Decision-Making gives people with disabilities the most autonomy. You get to choose who you have support you, how much they get involved, and on what topics. Those assisting you will talk with you, providing ideas and guidance for different choices. We must recognize the value of Supported Decision-Making and offer this as a less restrictive and empowering option for people with disabilities to be in control of their lives.
In partnership with Rooted in Rights, we present the following videos explaining the alternatives to guardianship, including Supported Decision-Making.