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July 25, 2024Consumer Directed Choices Marks Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with Uplifting Message of Empowerment
Consumer Directed Choices (CDChoices), a not-for-profit corporation providing payroll and administrative services to seniors and people with disabilities who manage their own home care, is pleased to mark the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark civil rights act, signed into law on July 26, 1990, prohibits discrimination based on disability, ensuring that individuals with disabilities are afforded equal access to all aspects of society, including healthcare settings.
“In honor of Disability Pride Month, it is important to reflect on the anniversary of the ADA’s signing and appreciate how far we have come as a community,” says Christopher Graber, CEO of CDChoices. “The ADA marked a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, recognizing for the first time that people with disabilities are limited not by their own potential, but instead by external factors such as inaccessibility, inequality or unfair treatment. Today, it is estimated that one in four American adults live with a disability. At CDChoices, we believe healthcare should be personalized and accessible for all, ensuring that individuals receive timely care from someone they trust and are empowered with the resources to support independence and personal growth.”
CDChoices was founded in 1997 by the late Constance Laymon, a quadriplegic and fearless advocate for people with disabilities. Laymon firmly believed that individuals with disabilities should be in control of their own care. True to her legacy, CDChoices’ vision is focused on creating an inclusive and equitable healthcare community through the provision of best-in-class payroll and administrative services to people with disabilities.
“With our services and supports, our consumers are able to live full, empowering lives while remaining in their homes and communities. They can direct their care in accordance with their unique needs, interviewing, hiring, and overseeing their caregiver or personal assistant who is there to help them,” says Graber.
The not-for-profit also works with people who receive respite through the Alzheimer’s Disease Regional Caregiver Support Initiative, as well as seniors who receive non-medical support through the state’s Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program.
“The first step is often the hardest,” Graber notes. “As we look towards the future, CDChoices will continue to advocate to ensure the promises of the ADA are fulfilled for everyone – because no one should feel less than or unworthy of equal, necessary care.”
