Missouri Supported Decision-Making Consortium

Three Black and disabled friends smiling and taking a selfie. — Image by Chona Kasinger for Disabled and Here. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

You can make your own decisions with help from the people you trust.

What is Supported Decision-Making? How can I get started? Who is in the Consortium?

What is Supported Decision-Making?

Supported Decision-Making, sometimes called SDM, is a way to make decisions with help from other people. You are using Supported Decision-Making whenever you ask someone for help making or communicating decisions. In Missouri, Supported Decision-Making is a legally recognized alternative to guardianship.

You are using Supported Decision-Making by seeking advice from a:

Mechanic
Doctor
Friend
Financial Advisor
Personal Trainer
Lawyer
Or anyone else!

Guardianship is when a person's legal rights are taken away by a court. With alternatives like SDM, guardianship can often be avoided.

A dark skinned wheelchair user using a laptop to meet with a dark skinned person wearing a hijab and 3 others. A service dog is nearby. — Image by Dana Chan for Disabled and Here. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Why would I use Supported Decision-Making?

A Latinx disabled woman and an Asian disabled genderfluid person chat with coffee on a couch. An electric mobility scooter rests on the side. — Image by Tojo Andrianarivo, with make-up artistry from Lana Shapiro, for Disabled and Here. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Supported Decision-Making can help a person make their own decisions. When a person controls the decisions in their own life, they are said to have self-determination. Studies have shown that people with more self-determination are:

Healthier
More independent
More well-adjusted
More integrated into their communities
Better able to recognize and resist abuse

Citation: Khemka, Hickson, & Reynolds, 2005; O’Connor & Vallerand, 1994; Wehmeyer & Schwartz, 1998

What are the principles behind Supported Decision-Making?

The Consortium agrees on the following principles:

Inclusive: All people should have the chance to be full and equal members of their community. This is true no matter their age or ability.
Individualized: SDM should be flexible and made to meet individual needs.
Person-Centered: SDM should be driven by the person who wants supports. That person should choose their own supporters and types of support.
Advice Only: SDM helps a person make a choice - it does not replace their choice. Support is advice, and a person can take it or leave it.