Supported Decision Making

Underlying Principles 

At the heart of Supported Decision Making is four underlying principles: Self-Determination, Informed Choice, Person-Centered Planning and someone’s Circle of Support. An understanding of these principles, and how they can be implemented, can help people with disabilities achieve more successful outcomes through increased personal control over decisions impacting their lives. 

Self-Determination 

Self-determination is a philosophy referring to the right for all persons to determine their own economic, social and cultural development. Often, people with disabilities face limitations on their choices about where to live, who to live with, and how to spend their time and money. Having the right, opportunity and power to make meaningful choices are key to self-determination. Self-determination means the freedom to define ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves. To achieve self-determination, people with disabilities must have ownership over their lives. 

Informed Choice 

According to Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), “informed choice results from a rational and systematic decision-making process that occurs in a context that is free from duress and coercion and that is characterized by:

• Identification of available alternatives or options;
• Identification of the consequences (both favorable and unfavorable) of pursuing each alternative or option; 
• Selecting an alternative option after weighing and deliberating each one and its consequences in terms of a personal scale of values; and
• Commitment and action to pursue the selected alternative or option.
  
  

People with disabilities, like all people, need to make informed choices about things that impact their lives. Real choice is about being able to choose from the same wide variety of lifestyles, goals and preferences that others have. Even if someone receives Supported Decision Making assistance, they must have the final say over the decisions that are made and, ultimately, be allowed to face the consequences of those decisions. In other words, individuals with disabilities should be able to fully experience the dignity of risk.

Person-Centered Planning 

Person-centered planning respects the values of human rights, independence, choice and social inclusion, and is designed to enable people to direct their own services and supports. With this approach, planning is done by and with the individual, and the process is geared to their desires and personal wishes. 

Circle of Support 

The diagnosis of a disability does not automatically mean that a person needs formal decision-making assistance. We all rely on assistance from family, friends, educators, co-workers and others when making decisions. The people you value in your life who help you to set and achieve your goals are your Circle of Support. It is important for families and professionals to work together to provide the right balance between protection and support. It is also important to
remember that decision making is a learned skill, and people with disabilities need the opportunity to build it.