What is Supported Decision Making?

Supported decision-making (SDM) is a process in which people with intellectual and developmental disabilities build their own decision-making skills and develop a structure of support of trusted persons in their lives while retaining all their legal and civil rights. It is increasingly becoming recognized as a preferable and less-restrictive alternative to guardianship here in NYS, nationally, and even internationally. 

Why is it important?

In the summer of 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed New York’s Supported Decision-Making Agreement Act, built upon Principles developed by SDMNY. This civil rights legislation recognizes SDM as an alternative to guardianship and prohibits discrimination against decisions made by people with Intellectual and developmental disabilities with an agreement developed through SDMNY’s facilitation process. New York Courts are increasingly deciding that as a less-restrictive alternative, SDM can be used to avoid the necessity for guardianship in the first place, or as a means to restore the rights to persons already under guardianship.

This session will provide an overview of the initiative here in NYS, including how to sign up!

Presented by: Naomi Brickel M.S. Ed, Director, Supported Decision
Making, NYS