Supported Decision-Making

What is Supported Decision-Making?

Unlike guardianship, which involves the substitution of the guardian’s judgement for that of the person who is subject to the guardianship, the use of SDM maintains the person’s autonomy by providing supports so that the person can make their own decisions. Supports might include the use of plain-language materials, the presence of a supporter in meetings, and assistance in choosing from among a range of alternatives.

For many people, SDM will have advantages over guardianship. Guardianship is a court-imposed structure that completely removes decision making from the person with a disability. SDM, however, can be flexible in how it is applied from one person to the next, and in how it is applied to the same person over time. An SDM agreement will only exist if the person with the disability chooses it and is comfortable with their
designated supporters.

The benefit of retaining the freedom to make decisions is obvious to most of us and a good reason to use SDM whenever it is a safe alternative. What may be less obvious is the benefit to people when they exercise self-determination without the constraints of guardianship. People with greater self-determination are healthier, more independent, and better able to recognize and resist abuse. They also tend to be known and valued in their communities.

Supported Decision-Making & Alternatives to Guardianship

Disability Rights Center-NH and the Institute on Disability at UNH hosted a panel discussion on supported decision making and other alternatives to guardianship and how such laws and related policies can inhibit or promote the voices of people with disabilities.

Event Recording & Materials

• View the recording
• Download the audio-only file
• Download the transcript
• Event page: iod.unh.edu/SupportedDecisionMaking

Live captioning and ASL interpreting were supported by the NH Bar Foundation Advancement of Justice Fund. Additional support was provided by the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities.