The right to make choices': supported decision-making activities in the United States
| Autor | Peter Blanck/Jonathan G. Martinis |
| Cargo del Autor | University Professor & Chairman Burton Blatt Institute (BBI), Syracuse University, NY, (USA)/Legal Director BBI (USA) |
| Páginas | 27-37 |
— 27 —
Capítulo II
“THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHOICES”:
SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING
ACTIVITIES IN THE UNITED STATES*
P B
University Professor & Chairman Burton Blatt Institute (BBI), Syracuse
University, NY, (USA)
J G. M
Legal Director BBI (USA)
A
Research shows that self-determination and the right to make life choices are key elements
for a meaningful and independent life. Yet, many Americans with disabilities and older adults
often are placed in broad and restrictive guardianships, denying them their right to make daily
life choices about where they live and who they interact with, their finances, and their health
care. Supported decision-making (SDM)—where people use trusted friends, family members,
and professionals to help them understand the situations and choices they face, so they may
make their own decisions— is a means for increasing self-determination by encouraging and
empowering people to make decisions about their lives to the maximum extent possible. This
article examines the implications of overly broad guardianship and the potential for SDM to
address such circumstances. It introduces the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-
Making and a program of study to advance the use of SDM and self-determination.
Today, many Americans with disabilities and older adults are placed in
overbroad and unwarranted guardianships, losing their right to make choices
regarding where to live, what to do during the day, with whom to interact, their
personal finances and health care (Dinerstein, 2012). To advance and protect
the right of these citizens to make core life choices and direct their lives to the
maximum of their abilities, Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities, the
Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University (BBI), and the Kansas University
Center on Developmental Disabilities, together with a broad coalition of
community partners and stakeholders, have launched the National Resource
Center for Supported Decision-Making.
Funded through a five-year agreement with the U.S. Administration on
Community Living, the National Resource Center leads and coordinate efforts
*
A prior and unabridged version of this article appeared as: Blanck, P. & Martinis, J.
(2015). “The Right to Make Choices”: National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making,
Inclusion, 3(1), 24-33.
Para continuar leyendo
Solicita tu prueba