Supported Decision-Making Explainer

(Audio Description)

(NARRATOR): We all make

tons of decisions - every day!

Some of them are small decisions,

like whether

or not you should buy that

cool new video game

- or order pizza.

Others are bigger.

Like deciding what kind

of career you want,

where you want to live

or who to vote

for in an election.

Everyone has the right

to make decisions.

Sometimes we need

help with those decisions.

If you’re a young person or an older adult

with a disability, your family,

medical service provider,

or someone else

may ask a judge

if they can become

your guardian

and make all of your

decisions for you.

This is a legal arrangement called,

"Full Guardianship.”

Your parent or guardian

might think they

have to get guardianship

to do things like

attend IEP meetings

or help you make

financial decisions,

but that’s not true.

There are other ways that people can

help you make choices.

For example,

a Healthcare Proxy

only helps

make healthcare choices.

and a Social Security

Representative Payee

only helps with

some financial choices.

But another option

that lets you keep control

of your choices is called,

"Supported Decision-Making."

A supported

decision-making agreement

lays out a plan for you

to meet with a person

or group of people you trust.

These people can

be family members,

friends, co-workers, or others

who can help you make decisions.

You pick the decisions

you might need help with,

who can help, and how.

Your group of supporters

might look through information

with you and talk through

the pros and cons

of different choices.

They might talk with you

about eating healthy foods,

or ways to keep

track of appointments.

Want to choose a college,

vote in elections,

or change jobs?

What about date,

get married,

or start a family?

With Supported

Decision-Making,

you are the

decision maker.

With Guardianship, the

guardian is the decision maker

and makes all

the final decisions.

Some decisions are big,

some are small,

and all of them

are important.

Making your own choices

can help you lead

a happier, healthier life.

If you are a person with a disability

and feel like you need

help making decisions,

know that you have options.

You have the right to decide.