“Who Gets to Decide What”: A Discussion on Guardianship, Healthcare Proxy & Alternatives

Adults with disabilities have historically been subjected to unwarranted invasions of their autonomy to control their own lives, but some do have limited capacity and are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Today, guardianship and other forms of substitute decision-making attempt to avoid stripping people of all of their rights while protecting them, with varying degrees of success. We will discuss how different forms of substitute decision-making work, the myths and misconceptions about them, and strategies for addressing the conflicts and confusion that arise in your efforts to return folks to the community.