
If you are fully vaccinated, masks are now optional. For those that are not fully vaccinated, we ask that you wear a mask while in the building.
Independence, Inc. Current COVID-19 Operating Policy
[UPDATED March 15, 2022] Masks are no longer required for those that are fully vaccinated. Anyone may opt to wear one at any time but they will no longer be required.
- All staff remain hard at work in our building during regular office hours and public entry is welcome.
- Masking throughout the building is optional.
- Social distancing continues to be practiced throughout our building.
- We have a new secure enclosure in our lobby reception area to ensure the safety of our staff, consumers and visitors
- Our Computer Lab is now OPEN to the Public. Safety barriers have been installed between computers and we ask that only 2 people at a time utilize our lab and that visitors social distance, keeping one computer in between you
- We continue to offer and encourage virtual meetings when possible and ask that you make an appointment for in-person meetings with staff. All staff are available to meet with consumers through Zoom, Chime, phone, email or in-person. We are also available to chat through Facebook Messenger and through our Website instant chat option
Our contact information has not changed; you can continue to reach us M-F 8:30-5:00 Contact Us. We will update this page as information changes.
Get Vaccinated! Vaccine Resources and Information
Getting vaccinated is now convenient (no appointment necessary at most locations), open to everyone 5 years and older – and it’s FREE! If you live in Douglas County and need a ride to your appointment, contact our Independence, Inc. General Public Transportation Department and get scheduled!
COVID-19 Vaccination Resources:
► Administration for Community Living (ACL) Vaccine Resources: A vaccine “cheat sheet”, current vaccine and booster guidance and other resources
► Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health Walk-in Vaccine Clinic: Anyone eligible can go to Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health, 200 Maine St., for a walk-in vaccine appointment on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are available from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. Also find registration forms, COVID facts, resources, guidance and testing locations.
►LMH Health COVID19 Resource Page : Answers to the most-asked COVID-19 questions, vaccine eligibility, where to get your vaccine and more!
►Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy (KYEA) “Kansas Beats the Virus” campaign: COVID-19 vaccination facts, myths, resources and information
►Center for Disease Control: COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Disabilities
► Center for Disease Control: Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 and Pandemic-related Resources
►Local/Area Resources
- Get Tested
info graphic showing COVID-19 testing sites in Douglas County: Walmart 3300 Iowa Street, Monday through Saturday 9-5:30; AuBurn Pharmacy 310 E. 15th St. Eudora, KS Monday-Friday, 8:30-7:00, Saturday 8:30-4:00; Sigler Pharmacy 4951 W. 18th St. Lawrence, KS Monday-Friday 9:00-4:00; Orchards Drug Pharmacy 1410 Kasold Dr. suite A16, Lawrence, Monday-Friday 8:00-6:00; AuBurn Pharmacy 400 Ames Street Baldwin City, Monday-Friday 8:30-7:00 and Saturday 8:30-2:00; Sigler Pharmacy 4525 W. 6th St. Lawrence, KS Monday-Friday 9:00-4:15
- Housing Assistance:
- Kansas Eviction Prevention Program– CARES Act funded program to assist tenants behind on rent because of COVID
- Housing Stabilization Collaborative (HSC) – local program providing rent support and low-interest microloans to Douglas County renters experiencing COVID-related income loss; collaborative between Tenants to Homeowners and Family Promise
- Utility Assistance
- City of Lawrence CARES act utility assistance – begins November 1st, 2020
- Food Resources:
- Employment
- COVID-Related Community Updates
►Kansas Resources and Information
- The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and your Medicaid Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- State of Kansas COVID-19 Jobs and Hiring Portal
- Housing resources: Foreclosure, Eviction, Late Rent
- Symptom Checker – COVID-19 vs. Cold, Flu, Allergies
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment Updates and Resources
- State of Kansas Go Get Tested site: Free COVID-19 testing site directory
► Self Advocacy/Resources for People with Disabilities & Direct Support Workers
- Southeast ADA Center and ADA National Network COVID-19 portal for people with disabilities
- SARTAC COVID-19 information for self-advocates
- COVID-19 HCBS Waiver Meaures:
- National Rehabilitation Information Center – resources to stay healthy, active and engaged while sheltering-in-place
- National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) COVID-19 Toolkit for Personal Service Care Workers and other Direct Support Professionals
- GrassRoots Advocates for Independent Living (GRAIL): Preparation Tips for Self-Directing Consumers
- National ILRU Disaster Hotline for People With Disabilities
- American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Survey Participants Needed!
- AAHD is conducting survey-based research to study the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities and they need YOU to participate!
- To participate in the survey on how the COVID pandemic has impacted you/your life https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVID-19-Disability
- EEOC Issued Updated COVID-19 Technical Assistance Publication : What You Should Know About COVID-19, the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act and Other EEO Laws
► National Efforts and Resources for Equal Access to COVID-19 Vaccination
- LISC: Vaccine Access Fund National Initiative
- Administration for Community Living: Strategies for Helping Older Adults and People with Disabilities Access COVID-19 Vaccines
- Office for Civil Rights: Disability Access in Vaccine Distribution
- President Biden’s National Strategy for COVID-19 Response
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Service Bulletins
►National Organization Websites and Information
- Idividual $500 COVID-19 relief: grant opportunity for those with SCI/D
- World Health Organization COVID-19 Information
- Coronavirus.gov
- CDC – How to Protect Yourself
- CDC American Sign Language COVID video series
- Federal Restrictions to Visiting Nursing Homes 3.16.20
- For Employers/Workplace: EEOC Guidance on COVID-19 and the ADA