Your elected officials need to hear directly from YOU so they can understand why alternatives to guardianship matter in your life.
What is guardianship and what are alternatives to guardianship?
Guardianship is a court order that allows one person to make decisions for another person. Each year, many adults with developmental disabilities in Michigan are placed under court-ordered guardianship. As a result, these individuals lose their right to make their own life decisions. Many people with disabilities are able to take care of their own lives without a guardian. Alternatives to guardianship, such as Supported Decision-Making, can be used to help individuals maintain their rights to make decisions related to education, housing, employment, and other life choices.
Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is an approach that encourages individuals with disabilities to make their own life decisions with support from family, friends, and trusted individuals. Individuals use SDM to develop either a formal or informal plan to receive the support when making life decisions, while maintaining their rights. SDM mirrors how all adults make decisions. SDM means making your own choices, learning to solve problems, and experiencing the consequences of making choices.
What are some current issues affecting alternatives to guardianship?
Individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, schools, and courts generally lack awareness of SDM because there is no legal requirement to explore SDM as an alternative to guardianship. Without policy change, the overuse of guardianship will continue to undermine independence and self-determination for adults with developmental disabilities.
Why Your Voice Matters
Laws affecting guardianship and alternatives to guardianship could affect the ability of people with disabilities to make their own decisions and direct their own lives. Policymakers benefit from understanding your experience with guardianship and how alternatives to guardianship may have affected you or someone you know. By sharing your lived experiences, you can educate your elected officials and help them understand the importance of policies that protect the autonomy of all Michiganders.
Take Action: Educate Your Elected Officials
Act now to educate your elected officials about your experience with alternatives to guardianship! Here's how:
✍️ Use this form to write a message to their office.
📞 Call their district offices.
🏦 Attend a town hall or community event they are hosting.
📣 Encourage your friends, family members, and allies to contact their elected officials.
Your Voice Can Make a Difference
Lawmakers need to hear directly from people who have lived experience. By speaking up, you are making sure your legislators hear from people who are directly affected by the laws they vote on. Don't wait - take action today!