Supported Decision-Making in Illinois

Hello & Happy Spring!

This week, we will be sharing information related to Supported Decision Making (SDM). If you missed our latest webinar on supported decision making and transition-age youth with extensive support needs, you can find the recording on the Family Matters website: https://www.fmptic.org/recordings/family-matters-recordings. You will find pertinent information, as well as a ton of great resources below. As a special education teacher, I wish that SDM had been a legal option of decision-making to support my students and their families in Illinois when I first started teaching. As of February 2022- it is! I hope you find this information and resources helpful to you or those involved. Feel free to share these resources with those that you know! Sharing is caring 🙂

We are always here for any questions you have or experiences you may want to share! 

Talk soon!

Megan

What is Supported Decision Making? 

• Supported decision-making (SDM) is a tool that allows people with disabilities to retain their decision-making capacities by choosing supporters to help them make choices. 

• A supporter is someone who the person using SDM selects to help them in decision making. These are trusted advisors such as friends, family members, or professionals.

• Supporters agree to help the person with a disability (principal) understand, consider, and communicate decisions, supporting the individual with a disability to make their own, informed choices. 

The Illinois Supported Decision-Making Agreement Act

• For adults (18 or older)with intellectual and or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) 

• Provides legal recognition to SDM agreements

• Requires third parties (landlords, service providers, medical professionals, schools, vocational providers) to recognize terms of the SDM agreement(s)

• Find more information HERE

What does Supported Decision-Making Look Like? 

• Finding tools to support a person with a disability to understand, make, and communicate their own choices: 

• Plain language, Visual and/or Audio Access

• Extra time to discuss options

• Create a list of pro’s and con’s

• Role Play

• Bring a supporter to a appointments to take notes and support the individual to remember and discuss options

• Opening a joint bank account to manage financial decisions together 

• Supporters may…

• Help the principal gather information on:

• Living options, work situations, medical treatment,
  relationships, benefits, resources

• Communicate information, track services, support appointments

• Assist with questions, Support advocacy

• Have conversations around final decisions

• Supporters may NOT…

• Make decisions for the principal

• Access any information without consent

• Uses information about the principal for any purpose other than supporting the principal

• Be paid to be in this role

Supported Decision-Making Process Flowchart

Guardianship vs. Supported Decision-Making: The Basics

Guardianship	SDM
Decided by a judge Person with the disability does not have control The person with the disability can lose the right to: Choose where they live How they use their money Who they spend their time with	The person with the disability makes the decisions The person with the disability is in the control Supporters help the person with the disability with: Everyday things Medical decisions Where to live or help with money

Guardianship vs. Supported Decision-Making: Assessment of Needs

Guardianship	SDM
Based on the person’s I.Q. score and diagnosis The court looks at what the person can do independently, without any assistance or support The court assumes that these needs will remain the same over the course of the person’s life	Strengths and support needs are discussed by the person with the disability and their supporters Person’s abilities are based on assessment of what they can do alone and with support The person with the disability has the ability to modify supports and supporters overtime

Identifying Alternatives to Guardianship Tool

Supported Decision-Making Resources

• Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission

• Supported Decision-Making: Brochure

• SDM FAQ

• SDM Learning PPT for Individuals with Disability

• Self Advocacy Alliance

• IGAC

• Self-Determination

• The Arc of Illinois

• National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making

• Center for Public Representation: Supported Decision-Making