SDMA Signing Ceremony, December 17, 2018
In this video, three decision-makers discuss their experience with the SDMNY pilot program in New York City and the process of developing a supported decision-making agreement, or “SDMA.” Ketrina Hazell and her supporter and god-mother Nelle Richardson speak about the difference that their journey towards an SDMA has made in their relationship. Tony Phillips and Harvey Pacht also explain why supported decision-making is important for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to have their decisions respected by others. Timothy Elliott explains how persons with I/DD too often aren’t respected as decision-makers by others who are supposed to support them. Their signing ceremony was held at the offices of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS) and attended by self-advocates as well as Vic Calise, Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.
Keywords: supported decision-making, intellectual and developmental disabilities, alternatives to guardianship, self-determination