** If you have questions or comments, please click “reply” to contact me directly or email xxxxxx@nacdd.org. **

The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) with support from Anthem, is excited to host its 9th Self-Advocacy Discussion Series and all are welcome!

The SA Discussion Series is led by Eric Stoker, Information Specialist for the Utah DD Council, NACDD Board Member, Chair of the NACDD Self-Advocacy Committee (SAC), NACDD Champions of Equality Award winner and member of the Self-Advocacy Leadership Circle. See the accessible flyer attached.

 

Reminders:

·        The next SA Discussion Series will be on June 17th at 4 pm Eastern/3 pm Central/2 pm Mountain/1 pm Pacific. The topic will be alternatives to guardianship and supported decision-making.

·        NO SA DISCUSSION SERIES IN JULY.

·        The SA Discussion Series for August will be held on Wednesday, August 4th (NACDD’s Annual Conference).  – More information to come!

Topic: Supported Decision Making (SDM) and Other Alternatives to Guardianship

 

Definitions and resources

 

Guardianship:

To become someone’s guardian, you must go to court. A judge will decide whether the person can make their own decisions or needs a guardian. The judge will decide who the guardian will be and what decisions the guardian will make. For more information, visit the Arc of the US’s website to learn about Guardianship Myths or things that people sometimes believe but may not be true.
Guardianship-Myths-Center-for-Future-Planning-1.pdf (thearc.org) (Copy and paste this link into your browser or hold down the Ctrl and click at the same time)

 

Supported Decision Making:

Supported Decision Making is a process that leads to self-determination for people with disabilities, which means, you have more control over your life. People with developmental disabilities make their decisions in different ways. Sometimes people make decisions on their own. Sometimes with support from others. Sometimes they get a little support and sometimes they get a lot of support. And sometimes people get more support than they want. Supported decisions are not made FOR you, they are made BY you.

 

For more information, visit the Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) website to watch videos on this topic.

https://www.selfadvocacyinfo.org/?s=SUPPORTED (Copy and paste this link into your browser or hold down the Ctrl and click at the same time)

 

The videos include Parent Perspective on Supported Decision Making, The Process of Terminating Guardianship Using Supported Decision Making, Why Supported Decision Making Matters and How To Get Started, Supported Decision Making and Guardianship Termination and Self-Advocacy Association of New Your State’s (SANYS) Supported Decisions Storytelling Project.

 

Discussion questions to think about before the meeting:

1.     Do you have a plan for getting the support you need to make decisions?

2.     How do you make important decisions in your life?

3.     Do you need more training or information on Guardianship or how to use Supported Decision making? What kind of information would be helpful?


**
If you need accommodations, please contact Angela at xxxxxx@nacdd.org by June 10th**

 

Zoom information

Join Zoom Meeting (Please do not share the Zoom link on social media)

https://zoom.us/j/92601398732?pwd=ejd3MUkvdlRFd2ljUzRCQTh0Smw0Zz09

 

Meeting ID: 926 0139 8732

Passcode: 188376

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,92601398732#,,,,*188376# US (Washington DC)

+13126266799,,92601398732#,,,,*188376# US (Chicago)

 

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 926 0139 8732

Passcode: 188376

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aefHdjoWIa