Supported Decision Making in Action!

 

What is Supported Decision Making? 

The South Carolina Supported Decision Making Project aims to educate parents, professionals, and individuals with disabilities about alternatives to guardianship that promote self-determination and value quality of life. Supported Decision Making is “a recognized alternative to guardianship through which people with disabilities use friends, family members, and professionals to help them understand the situations and choices they face, so they may make their own decisions without the ‘need’ for a guardian." In Supported Decision Making, individuals can choose “Supporters” to assist them in different areas of their lives—employment, education, services, finances, health, etc. 

Read More

See Supported Decision Making in Action: Meet Meia!

Meet Meia!

Age: 25

Hobbies: Music, Watching TV/Movies, 

Hanging out with people, going to church

Disabilities: arthrogryposis, depression, anxiety

“Supported decision making is important to me because it’s good to have another listening ear on your problems. Also, to have a second opinion.” 

How I Use My Supports: 

• I use supports for help making decisions because I want a second opinion. 
• Having supports reassures me I’m making the right decisions. 
• I use family, friends, Vocational Rehabilitation, Able SC, my doctors, and more to help me make decisions. 

“Using supported decision making is a reassurance that I’m giving my money to the right people and places.” 

How I Use My Financial Supports: 

• One tip I’ve learned is to keep money on me at all times in case of emergencies. 
• I ask friends, Vocational Rehabilitation, and the people at Able SC in order to help me make financial decisions. 

“With my health, I like to ask for second opinions on procedures and on the different medications I'm prescribed so they won't affect me in a negative way.” 

How I Use My Healthcare Supports: 

• I ask friends for their input on my medical decisions, but I mainly ask my doctors as well as my therapist. 
• Getting a second opinion is important to me so I can make sure I’m as safe as possible. 

“Having a support system in grade school helped me advocate for myself when I entered college because I didn't have as much support then.” 

How I Use My Education Supports: 

• Being included in the decision making process gave me the skills I needed for college. 
• Using supports to make decisions about the college I attend meant I was able to ensure the college had the classes I needed to better my future. 
• Having a support system meant I was able to get my accommodations. 

“I want to make sure that I'm with someone who loves me, respects me, and cares for me.” 

How I Use My Relationship & Friendship Supports: 

• I ask family and friends for advice because they may see something in a person that I don’t. 
• I also ask my therapist for their input on the people I choose to date and be friends with. 

“It’s important to use supported decision making when making career decisions in order to ensure that whatever employer I’m working for is following all laws of the ADA.” 

How I Use Employment My Supports: 

• I ask family, friends, and romantic partners for their input on making my career decisions. 
• I rely on organizations such as Vocational Rehabilitation and Able SC in order to make career decisions. 

“I always want to make sure that I'm doing things that truly interest me, that I'm having a good time with friends and family, but staying safe in the process.” 

How I Use My Community & Recreation Supports: 

I ask family, friends, and romantic partners for their input on making entertainment decisions. 

Check out our other resources and SDM in action!