Protecting the Right to Decide.
Keeping loved ones involved.
THE PROBLEM
People with disabilities deserve more options to get the help they need with making decisions and carrying out tasks.
When people with disabilities need support with decisions like choosing where to live or deciding how to spend their money, there are few options. This leads to overuse of guardianship and guardian advocacy, two laws that allow a person's rights to be taken away and given to someone else to exercise for them.
How we choose to use our rights makes us who we are. While some people may need a
guardian or guardian advocate, it is not right for everyone.
A Supported Decision-Making Law will give families more options!
THE SOLUTION
Supported Decision-Making (SDM) allows people with disabilities to keep their rights and make their own decisions with the help of people they trust.
A Supported Decision-Making Law will make it easier for people with disabilities to use SDM. It will include a sample SDM agreement and explain the responsibilities of supporters. The law will also require judges to consider SDM before they take away someone's rights.
HOW IT WORKS
Click below to read stories and watch videos of more decision-makers and supporters discussing how they work together using Supported Decision-Making.
MICHAEL'S STORY
In 2016, Michael Lincoln-McCreight became the first person in Florida to terminate his guardianship using Supported Decision-Making. From being unable to leave his group home without permission or vote in elections, Michael now lives in his own apartment, works as a security guard, and co-chairs our SDM4FL coalition.
