​​​​​​What is a Supported Decision-Making Agreement?

"Supported decision-making helps me make my own decisions ​and be in control of my life"

There are alternatives to guardianship,​ Supported Decision-Making Agreements are written agreements that helps empower individuals with disabilities to make choices about their own lives protecting their rights and ensuring their own safety and privacy.

These choices could be about where to live, what to do. This involves family and friends working together to help them make complex decisions.

Who can use Supported Decision Making?

Supported Decision-Making can be used by anyone, in any area of life. SDMAs can be used any time someone needs help making decisions. Within guardianship, it can be a way for the person to learn decision-making skills, which could lead to greater self-determination.

Individuals may need assistance making decisions about living arrangement, healthcare, relationships, and financial matters; however, they may not necessarily need a guardian to make those decisions for them. Working with a trusted network of supporters can help individuals field questions, review options, and help individuals make their own decisions. Supporters are selected by the individual and can be family members, co-workers, friends, and/or past or present providers.

Why is Supported Decision-Making Important?

Individuals under guardianship do not have the rights to make their own decisions about significant matters in their lives. Guardians make choices for individuals about major life issues including personal healthcare, finances, relationships, associations, and other day-to-day activities.

Guardianship is not the only option – there are many ways to support someone in decision-making that promotes the person’s independence and self-determination to the greatest extent possible.

Many of these options can be used in combination and can change over time depending on a person’s needs. Even the concept of supported decision-making can be used throughout any of these arrangements.

All adults, including individuals with disabilities, have will and preferences, and therefore have the right to make their own decisions, including life decisions about their health care, their finances, their relationships, where they work, where they travel, who they vote for, and where they live and with whom.

How does Supported Decision-Making work?

• The individual identifies the areas where he or she needs decision-making assistance — health care, employment, relationships, finances, etc. — and the type of support he or she needs.
• The individual chooses supporters he or she trusts.
• Supporters commit to providing information to the individual so that he or she can make his or her own decisions.  Supporters commit to honoring the individual’s decisions.
• Individual and supporters execute a supported decision-making agreement.