Disability Rights Nebraska, through a grant from the Nebraska Developmental Disabilities Council, has developed a program to raise awareness of Supported Decision Making as a means to increase self-determination of people with disabilities, reduce overbroad or undue guardianships, and examine public policy options for Supported Decision Making in Nebraska. One of the main activities of this initiative is to host a Supported Decision Making Summit where families and other interested stakeholders can engage with experts in the field. We are excited to have Jonathan Martinis as a our keynote speaker. Jonathan is the Senior Director for Law and Policy for the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University and a nationally renowned expert on Supported Decision Making. Jonathan has worked (and is currently working) with several states to raise awareness of, and develop public policy regarding, Supported Decision Making. He has also represented individuals with disabilities in legal proceedings who wanted to utilize Supported Decision Making in lieu of an overbroad or undue guardianship. In addition, there will be a panel of parent “Ambassadors” who will speak about their families’ experiences adopting Supported Decision Making. Participants will get both an academic and a lived experience perspective, which is consistent with the Summit’s theme: “From Theory to Practice”.
The Summit is scheduled for Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm in the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (8:30 am – 9:00 am is reserved for sign-in, refreshments, and networking. Opening remarks start at 9:00 am). A buffet lunch will be served. In-person seating is limited to 50 people. There will also be a hybrid/Zoom option for those who cannot attend in person (Zoom link will be given after registration).
Attached is a flyer with information (with a QR code for registration) and the Schedule for the Day. Participants also can register here: https://www.disabilityrightsnebraska.org/how-to-help/event-calendar.html/event/2024/08/24/supported-decision-making-summit/483638.
- We have also reserved a room for organizations to have an information and resources table. If interested, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/vmEn46956VAKGZdg7
- For organizations wishing to sponsor a portion of the event financially, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/jAf4xC6SpZsKcf4f7
You are receiving this announcement because Supported Decision Making touches a range of systems (e.g., education, legal, public policy, disability services) and is applicable to a wide variety of people (e.g., people with disabilities, people who are aging, children and adults). Please feel free to distribute this announcement as you see fit.
If you have questions about the Summit event or want more information, please contact me at brad@drne.org.
