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Decide Your Future

Use these steps as you DECIDE your future: Direct, Enlist, Choose, Inform, Determine, and Experience

What is Supported Decision-Making?

Everyone gets help making decisions. People with disabilities may simply need a different type of help.

Everyone gets help making decisions. That help may come from friends, family, professionals, or even through research. We all learn in our own unique way so we can consider our options and ask others for advice. Some people may need more or different help to accomplish their goals but the process is exactly the same.

Supported Decision-Making involves a person getting the help they need to make a decision. This process can be different from person to person, but the foundation of Supported Decision-Making is having a plan that shows who will support you and how. That plan must respect a person’s autonomy by making sure the person makes their own decisions and that their decision-making rights are not removed or diluted. Decisions are made by the person who needs support, not for them.

Video Source: Disability Rights Texas

Empowering People to Make Their Own Decisions

Supported Decision-Making is not focused on with whether people can make their own decisions but instead tries to understand what kind of support people need in order to be involved in decision-making so they can be more independent.

We use the acronym D.E.C.I.D.E. to teach the process of Supported Decision-Making. Learn more by clicking each step on the right or read our full guide by clicking the button below.

Supported Decision-Making is not about doing it on your own but directing the people in your life to help you.

Enlisting support means everyone understands their role and is ready to be a part of the team.

Supported decision-making includes many choices; you will choose the people you want to support you, how they work together (or don’t), and what type of tools and supports work best for you when making decisions.

You will need to tell the people in your life about supported decision-making and how it works for you. You want to make sure all the people in your life are informed of how you make decisions.

Supported decision-making is about making sure you have what you need to live and lead the life you want. You determine what your life looks like and what you will achieve.

The more you practice the more you will learn and accomplish. You need experiences to learn what works best for you and opportunities to try new things.

Learn How Supported Decision-Making Can Work For You

No matter who you are, it’s a good idea to learn more about the benefits of Supported Decision-Making and how you can use it in your life or share it with someone you are supporting.

About Supported Decision-Making

A Broad Overview

When individuals with disabilities direct their own decisions, they become more confident and become better self-advocates.

Become a Decision-Maker

For Individuals with Disabilities

For both youth and adults, making your own decisions can be challenging. Learn how you can navigate these obstacles and take charge.​

Support Your Family Member

For Family Members

Support your family member in the supported decision-making journey and help them plan for their future.

Professional Resources

For Legal, Education, and Medical Professionals

Learn how professionals can make their practices more accessible and become a stronger ally for the disability community.

Additional Information

About Us

I DECIDE Georgia believes decision-making is a fundamental human right. We help people with disabilities, supporters, allies, family members, and other advocates.

Resources

Supported Decision-Making is a national and international movement. Learn from other experts, listen to more stories, and find sample forms and guides on our resources page.

Meet Our Youth Ambassadors

Our Youth Ambassador Program is a training program which teaches youth how to become leaders and advocates. Learn more about our program and meet our leaders.

Our Partners