Trying to determine whether to pursue legal guardianship of loved one can be one of the most difficult decisions families and caregivers may have to make in their life. Families and caregivers have to take into consideration how much independence and responsibilities their loved ones can handle while ensuring that they are reasonably safe from harm from themselves or others. To make matters more difficult, these decisions are often made without having accurate information about guardianship or the availability of alternatives to legal guardianship.
While in some cases legal guardianship is the right choice, it is not the only choice. Supported decision-making is a less restrictive alternative to legal guardianship.
As part of the Pilot Project for Supported Decision-Making Information and Training, Southwest Institute for Families and Children, The Arc of Arizona, and Arizona Center for Disability Law have partnered to put together a series of 10 videos to help provide accurate, easy to understand information to help families and self-advocates. The topics include:
- What is Guardianship?
- Rights of a Person Under Guardianship
- What is Supported Decision Making?
- Deciding if Supported Decision Making Is Right for You?
- Who are Supporters?
- Choose the Right Support Person
- Asking Someone to Be Your Supporter
- Supported Decision Making Agreements
- Self-Advocacy and Supported Decision Making
- Alternatives and Complement to Supported Decision Making