Supported Decision Making

archived

The mission of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) is to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, people with disabilities across the lifespan, and their families and caregivers. To further this mission, the agency is seeking to fund one project related to supported decision-making . The purpose of the project is to create a training and technical assistance/resource center on supported decision making. The Center will collect and disseminate materials on supported decision-making, including the experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in making informed decisions with the use of supports. The final products will include a review of existing literature and resources; a compilation of success stories and existing models; and innovative research on the mechanics of supported decision-making, including identifying key elements, current gaps and needed limits and protections, to ensure the choices individuals make are recognized and implemented by the respective institutions and authorities. The compiled information will be collected, organized and made available to the general public on the world wide web. The project will also include a proposal to develop measures to compare outcomes for people with I/DD and older Americans who use supported decision-making methods and practices to exert control and choice in their own lives compared with outcomes for individuals under substituted decision-making arrangements.

High