Reduce Your Risk: COVID-19

Topeka Independent Living Resource Center cares about your health, the health of our employees, and the health of YOUR employees!

We believe the work we do to support people with disabilities living in the community is important. We want our offices to remain open and our employees and consumers to remain healthy, as we all work together through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We recognize that MANY of our employees, our volunteers, and our consumers are at greater risk of infection from any type of virus. We also recognize that the Coronavirus, COVID-19, is especially concerning because of the severity of the illness. 

We encourage consumers, direct support workers, and others to use the same precautions we have in place at our agency to prevent getting sick, or spreading illness. 

HAND WASHING – hand washing is the single most important way to curb the spread of germs. Always wash hands after using the toilet, or smoking. Always wash hands before AND after eating, handling food, or touching another person. Wash hands using soap, taking a full 20 seconds for washing/lathering. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer as well. 

HYGIENE – cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. It is best to cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard the tissue as soon as possible. If you cough or sneeze onto your hand or exposed skin, wash your hands or exposed skin immediately and thoroughly. Keep clothing and your person clean.

MAINTAINING A CLEAN SPACE – our agency routinely cleans the building and work surfaces using a water and vinegar solution for cleaning and disinfecting. Alcohol or bleach-based disposable wipes are available to use to clean frequently used work surfaces. 

SICK LEAVE – our agency offers sick leave for our employees. Any employees who have a temperature or signs of respiratory illness are encouraged to stay home until fever-free for 24 hours. We encourage anyone who has concerns about their health, especially about respiratory issues, to please contact your medical provider and follow their instructions. 

AVOID PUBLIC GATHERINGS – large public gatherings present the largest uncontrolled risk for contracting illness or infection. We encourage everyone to avoid larger public gatherings to the greatest extent possible, to reduce personal exposure as well as limit others’ exposure to any potential illness we may have.