2001 Chevy Cavalier disconnection of the ABS brake system

It's not the correct way, it just cripples ABS, an add on control system for brakes, ABS is effective at reducing wheel skid and decreasing stopping distance!
Better to accuratly diagnose the real problem, I recommend you re-activate ABS and go to a shop that can scan ABS computer for fault codes! The fix may be a simple wheel sensor!

I think it is a big mistake and would not call it safe. This is my personal opinion and say that from the abs system saving my life. Without it I clearly would have slid underneath a truck that probably would have decapitated me.

That mechanic is opening himself up a serious lawsuit if someone gets killed from his negligence.

The anti-lock brake system (abs), allows you to have a much better chance of maintaining control should you go into a slide. If it detects a problem within the system, the light comes on and is no longer working.
The abs system will pulse the brakes in a rapid fashion that allows you to slow down when in a skid, it pulses faster than the emotional driver that is going into a skid that does not have a working abs system.

IT should be re-connected and diagnosed. The brake job you had done to solve this very well may have not been needed. Granted we will never know at this point. It was mis-diagnosed as the problem had remained.

There will be codes that will set in the system that are retrieved from the computer. OFten it turns out to be a wheel speed sensor that is the underlying cause.

My advice, is get it fixed before you need it.