The SC Supported Decision Making Project
South Carolina Supported Decision Making is an advocacy project that educates parents, professionals and people with disabilities about effective alternatives to guardianship. The project promotes independence, self-determination and freedom to improve the quality of life for South Carolinians with disabilities.
The project works to change systems where guardianship is likely the primary recommendation. This advocacy includes partnerships with legal, medical, educational, and service provider communities to ensure parents and individuals with disabilities have access to information about the wide range of less restrictive options available to promote independence while providing necessary support.
Guardianship Implications
Families throughout South Carolina are often told to seek guardianship without a thorough explanation of the costs, long-term impact, or alternatives.
- The rate of guardianship has tripled in the United States since 1995.
- Guardianship is a step that is often costly and intended to be permanent when there may be alternatives that will address support needs.
- Guardianship promotes the false idea that people with disabilities should be assumed incompetent.
- Professionals trained in their field of expertise may not understand the support systems that exist to support people with disabilities.
- 25% of South Carolinians have a disability, and many people with disabilities in our state have had their decision making rights taken away through guardianship.
- People under guardianship are more likely to experience abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
- A guardianship based solely on one’s disability may not fully consider the person’s capacity to learn new skills and utilize natural supports to make choices.
