ABSTRACTSelf-Determination and End of Life Planning for Persons with DisabilitiesByDavid Bryan Schroeder For nearly a half century, self-determination has been a prominent topic for discussion within the field of disability, and prevalent within the research literature (Bekemeier, 2009). Disability literature is clear regarding the value on the voice of the people with disabilities (PWD) to guide and direct their own lives as they see fit (Moye, Wood, Edelstein, Arnesto, Harrison & Wood, 2007). Despite this high value, many PWD continue to experience interventions, in the form of legal maneuvering, that seek to strip them of legal rights and responsibilities for their own decision making (Black, 2008). Guardianship and conservatorship are the most common methods used to take control of another's life, and leave PWD voiceless to control the events in their lives (Black, 2008). Often, these decisions are made in response to a crisis, at a time when PWD may be unable to carefully consider and communicate their preferences (Black, 2008). Concerns regarding the use of guardianship and conservatorship have been increasingly reported in the media, practices and ethics have come under intensive scrutiny (Paillaud, Ferrand, Lejonc, Henry, Boullianne, & Montagne, 2007). The ability to appoint proxies to serve in times when an individual is unable to relay their desires has been codified with the introduction of the Patient Self Determination Act and expanded with the Uniform Healthcare Decisions Act (Galambos, 1998). The study proposed seeks to determine the relationship between constructs of self determination and engagement in the creation of a durable power of attorney for healthcare among persons with disabilities served by Centers for Independent Living in Lansing, Michigan and Lubbock, Texas. The study will utilize a well developed survey to measure the presence of self-determined behaviors and a created survey regarding the creation of a durable powers of attorney document. The created `Participant Planning Questionnaire' will additionally seek information regarding the interest of respondents in learning more about the durable powers of attorney creation process. Demographic information will be gathered to allow for description of the respondent population.
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