Guardianship

A recent increase in scholarship, advocacy, and media attention in the United States has led to increased interest in matters related to guardianship and supported decision-making for people with disabilities. These are especially critical issues for higher education programs supporting young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they prepare for careers and life in their communities.

The goal of this brief is to educate parents and supporters of youth in transition about guardianship and alternatives to guardianship. The brief presents three main themes: the reasons people pursue guardianship, the negative effects of guardianship on the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and the strategies and recommendations about alternatives to guardianship.

This brief talks about guardianship for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). It will show you some differences between people with IDD who have guardians and people with IDD who do not have guardians. This brief also describes alternatives to guardianship, including supported decision-making. A list of related resources is included. It also offers questions that youth can ask parents and teachers to learn more about alternatives to guardianship. The brief was published by The Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice.

For parents, families, and caregivers of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), reaching the age of majority is an important milestone. In most US states, the age of majority is when many legal rights parents have under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) transfer to young adults. The way that transfer of rights discussions between schools and families happen can differ from state to state and school to school.

This toolkit, developed by Florida's WINGS, was designed to assist residents of Florida with intellectual and developmental disabilities to understand the options available related to decision-making. Topics addressed in this publication include Supported Decision-making, Power of Attorney, Trusts, Health Care Surrogate and Mental Health Advance Directive, Guardianship, and more. There is also a helpful checklist to determine the level of support needed for individuals to understand and implement these items.

This brief, written by Think College partners at the Pacer Center, focuses on alternatives to guardianship. The authors take care to explain the different options available to families, and what the ramifications are for those options. In particular, this publication explains details and possible outcomes for power of attorney, supported decision-making, and guardianship. Examples are shared, as well as many additional resources.