Statement on the dangers of guardianship in response to Britney Spears's testimony
Portland, Oregon—Today, Disability Rights Oregon Executive Director Jake Cornett issued the following statement in response to the Britney Spears’s testimony yesterday regarding her conservatorship.
Statement from Jake Cornett, Executive Director, Disability Rights Oregon
As Britney Spears’s case illustrates, one of the most restrictive things that can happen to a person is having a conservator or guardian be given the power to make crucial life decisions for them.
Conservatorships or guardianships take away an individual’s right to make decisions about all aspects of their life, including where they live, what healthcare they get, and how they spend their time and money. Alarmingly, these enormous changes can be made while the person has little to no voice in the process or the chance to object. And conservatorships or guardianships can last a lifetime.
Conservatorships and guardianships should be used as little as possible and truly as a last resort. Instead, less restrictive alternatives should be used, alternatives that allow a person to retain as much autonomy over their own life and independence as possible.
Whether under conservatorship or guardianship or not, people with disabilities should have optimal freedom, independence, and the basic right to live the life that they choose for themselves.
Background
You can learn more about less restrictive alternatives to conservatorship or guardianship here:
Get a Life Plan, Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders:
http://wingsoregon.org/get-a-life-planDebunking the Myths of Supported Decision-Making and Guardianship, The Arc of Oregon: https://thearc.org/resource/debunking-the-myths-of-supported-decision-making-and-guardianship/
About
Disability Rights Oregon
Disability Rights Oregon upholds the civil rights of people with disabilities to live, work, and engage in the community. The nonprofit works to transform systems, policies, and practices to give more people the opportunity to reach their full potential. For more than 40 years, the organization has served as Oregon’s Protection & Advocacy system.
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