Most adults make their own legal decisions, but some people with disabilities have guardians. A guardianSomeone who can make legal decisions for a person with disabilities. can make legal decisions for a person with disabilities. A judge chooses who will be the guardian for a disabled person, but it is usually a parent or family member. Guardians can make choices even if the person with a disability doesn’t like it. This is wrong!
There is something people with disabilities can do instead of getting a guardian, called supported decision-makingWhen a disabled person gets help making decisions. People can use supported decision-making instead of getting a guardian.. Supported decision-making means you get help making decisions, but they are still your decisions. You can choose people called “supporters” to help you make decisions. Supporters do not make the choices for you. You still make your own decisions.
If you have a guardian, you might be able to do supported decision-making instead. Laws about supported decision making are different in every state. Your Protection & Advocacy Agency (P&A) can help you learn more. P&A’s help people with disabilities fight for our rights, and make sure states follow disability laws. There is a P&A in every state.