According to the American Civil Liberties Union, supported decision making is “a tool that allows people with disabilities to retain their decision-making capacity by choosing supporters to help them make choices.” This support team can consist of family or friends, professionals, or other trusted advisors.

Members of the support team can help guide the individual, however they make the final decision about what happens to them. This framework allows the Protected Person to add or subtract members from the support team or go to specific members for areas of support that they are most knowledgeable on.

The levels of supported decision-making vary from least to most restrictive for decisions involving financial management and personal care.

For more information, visit Disability Rights Iowa.