Advocacy

Justin Dart was a leader of the international disability rights movement and a renowned human rights activist. Widely recognized as “the father of the Americans with Disabilities Act” and “the godfather of the disability rights movement.”

Through increased advocacy by staff, businesses and volunteers, Community Options is working to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Please add your voice and fight for the rights of people with disabilities. Together our voices can help make a difference!

Caregiver Funding

Community Options, Inc. is committed to advocating for increased funding and support for home and community-based services (HCBS). We work tirelessly to ensure that direct support professionals receive fair wages and that the necessary resources are allocated to improve care for individuals with disabilities. Our advocacy efforts include engaging with federal and state policymakers, participating in discussions at state capitol buildings, and contributing to public discourse through op-ed pieces and letters to influential leaders.

Through these diverse initiatives, we aim to bring attention to the critical need for sustainable funding and to highlight the invaluable work of caregivers. Our goal is to create a more supportive and equitable environment for both caregivers and those they serve, ensuring that quality care is accessible to all who need it.

Read more about our Caregiver Funding efforts.

Transition

At Community Options, Inc., we are dedicated to supporting the transition of individuals with disabilities from institutional settings to community-based living. Over the years, we have championed numerous initiatives and collaborated with various stakeholders to promote deinstitutionalization. Our efforts aim to ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to live in inclusive, supportive environments that foster independence and enhance their quality of life.

We have consistently advocated for policy changes, provided resources, and worked closely with state and federal authorities to improve long-term care options. Through our ongoing commitment, we strive to create a more equitable and just society for individuals with disabilities, ensuring their rights and dignity are upheld.

Read more about how Community Options has supported deinstitutionalization here.

Subminimum Wage

More than 30 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities can still legally be paid below the minimum wage. This practice perpetuates institutionalized discrimination, a national disgrace codified by law under the ironically titled Fair Labor Standards Act. Despite progress in some states, much work remains to be done to ensure fair wages for all workers with disabilities.

Community Options, Inc. supports efforts to end subminimum wage at both federal and state levels. We advocate for policy changes that promote fair wages and work tirelessly to raise awareness about this critical issue. Our commitment includes engaging with policymakers, issuing public statements, and supporting initiatives aimed at ending this injustice.

We continue to urge current and future administrations, along with individual states, to follow the examples set by those who have taken action to address this inequity. Our goal is to ensure that all individuals with disabilities receive fair and equal treatment in the workplace.

You can read a recent statement by our CEO Robert Stack on this issue here.

Read more about how Community Options has supported policies to end Subminimum Wage.

Communicating with Congress

To contact your Congressional representative on these topics and other issues involving people with disabilities, click on the link above and follow the instructions Make your voice heard today!

Public Policy Issues

Use these links to learn about the public policy issues facing our nation today.