Below are some citations that demonstrate the positive impact and potential of supported decision making:

Research has shown that adults with disabilities who exercise greater self-determination, including having more opportunities to make decisions about their lives, have improved employment and community participation outcomes, and are better able to resist and avoid abuse. See, e.g., Ishita Khemka & Linda Hickson, eds., Decision Making by Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Integrated Research into Practice (Springer, 2021); K.A. Shogren, M. L. Wehmeyer, S.B. Palmer, G.G. Rifenbark, Relationships Between Self-Determination and Postschool Outcomes for Youth with Disabilities. 48 J. of Special Education 256-267 (2015); see also Morgan K. Whitlatch & Rebekah Diller, Supported Decision-Making: Potential and Challenges for Older Persons, 72 Syracuse L. Rev. 165, n. 22 (2022) (citing self-determination studies, with publication dates ranging from 1994 to 2013, that linked self-determination to better outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, students in special education, and older adults in nursing facilities).

Growing information is emerging on Supported Decision-Making arrangements having positive impacts on the engagement of people with disabilities and older adults in decision-making and advocating for their needs, as well as reductions in risk for abuse because of having a team of supporters. See, e.g., Karrie A. Shogren, Michael L. Wehmeyer, Jonathan Martinis, & Peter Blanck, Supported Decision-Making: Theory, Research, and Practice to Enhance Self-Determination and Quality of Life, Cambridge University Press, at 183-198 (2019); Elizabeth Pell & Virginia Mulkern, Supported Decision-Making Pilot: Pilot Program Evaluation Year 2 Report, at 26-31 (2016); Cathy E. Costanzo, Kristin Booth Glen, & Anna M. Krieger, Supported Decision-Making: Lessons from Pilot Projects 72 Syracuse L. Rev. 99, 121-126 (2022).