Everyone has the right to make decisions

Here are a few ways you, as an individual or a loved one with intellectual or developmental disabilities, can exercise your right to make decisions. 

Supported Decision-Making  

Supported Decision-Making (SDM) allows people with disabilities to make their own decisions. SDM is an alternative to 17-A Guardianship. When you use SDM, you can choose the people who support you, but you still make your own decisions. 

Here are some resources:

• SDMNY (Supported Decision-Making New York)
• Supported Decision-Making as an alternative to Guardianship
• Sample Supported Decision-Making Agreement
• Member and Family Forum: Supported Decision-Making

Legal Guardianship 

Some Members require decisions made on their behalf and are unable to participate in the decision-making process. In these instances, Supported Decision-Making may not be a good fit. Learn more about the process of becoming a Legal Guardian and whether this option is right for you.  

Healthcare Proxy 

What happens when you become seriously ill and unable to make decisions about medical care? You have the right to choose a healthcare proxy or person you trust to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.  

• Here are tips on how a Member can choose their healthcare proxy.
  You can select a healthcare proxy and make your wishes and decisions known by filling out a simple form.  
• Healthcare Proxy Fillable PDF with Instructions : You can select a healthcare proxy and make your wishes and decisions known by filling out a simple form.  Also available in the following languages: Spanish, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Italian, Korean, Russian, Yiddish, Polish, French, Bengali, Arabic, Urdu 

 If you need help planning for the future, your Care Manager can support you with this.