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This webpage was created by the Disability and Aging Justice Clinic at CUNY School of Law in collaboration with Supported Decision-Making NY.

Making decisions can be hard for anyone. We created this site to equip you or the person you support with various options to explore and consider when faced with making tough decisions.

 Persons with disabilities, especially persons with intellectual disabilities, are expanding their ability to remain independent and to make decisions for themselves. Using various approaches, people with disabilities are being enabled now more than ever to make their own decisions.

This website provides information and resources that help people with disabilities understand decision-making laws and gives people the help they need to make choices about their lives.

Remember, just because you may need help in some areas does not mean you are unable to make decisions for yourself. Just like any skill, decision-making takes practice.

For more information about each method of support, click the links in either of the menu bar options.

Helpful Decision-Making Guide:

When considering all decisions, there are seven steps that the person in need can follow to help guide their decision-making:

• Investigate the situation: Take some time to sit with what is going on and try to think of all the details to consider.
• Create a constructive environment: Go to a safe space where you can consider all the details that you collected in Step 1. 
• Generate good alternatives: What are some of the good details that can help guide your decision? What are some of the bad details that you’re trying to avoid?
• Explore your options. 

Good decision-makers involve others when appropriate and use knowledge, data and opinions from trusted persons to shape their final decisions.