From Dr. Janet Szlyk: COVID-19 Action Plan & Resources
THANK YOU to everyone who has called, e-mailed, or otherwise messaged your support and encouragement through the Coronavirus outbreak. We are truly a Community of Care, and the concern and adaptability shown by everyone in The Chicago Lighthouse family has been heartwarming and humbling. I hope you are all healthy and safe.
To maintain the health and safety of our community, a limited number of our programs are offering direct, in-person services, while others are functioning remotely. For instance, some Low Vision Services, like optometry, occupational therapy, and assistive technology consultations, are now available for in-person appointments. We are continuing to provide telehealth sessions for optometry, occupational therapy, and psychological services. As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, we will continue to provide a safe and positive rehabilitation experience for our clients both in-person and virtually. Our Seniors Program is currently functioning remotely. Our Children’s Development Center and Preschool teachers have adopted a hybrid model, and currently half of the students have returned for in-person learning while the remainder are continuing to learn remotely. Our Customer Care Centers, including the University of Illinois Health Services Customer Service Center and our Illinois Joining Forces Care Coordination Center, have adopted work-from-home models, enabling many staff members, including Veterans and people who are disabled, to work remotely.
The health and safety of everyone at The Chicago Lighthouse continue to be our highest priority. Direct services for the communities most vulnerable to COVID-19, such as Adult Living Skills, will resume once it is safe. In the meantime, here are some things you can do to help:
- Practice social distancing, be vigilant about disinfecting and hand-washing, and wear a mask. It may seem like you are not doing much, but that is the point. The more opportunity the virus has to spread, the longer this will last.
- Check-in with others. Social distancing can be particularly isolating for those who may have a disability, particularly those who are blind or visually impaired. Contact people you know who may be feeling isolated to let them know you’re thinking about them.
- Consider donating to The Chicago Lighthouse. Every dollar helps as we recover in the wake of the pandemic and the effect it has had on our social enterprise. If you are able, please consider donating to The Chicago Lighthouse. Click here to donate.
On behalf of everyone involved with The Chicago Lighthouse, thank you for the kindness and support you have shown during this crisis. This has been a challenging time for everyone, but please know The Lighthouse continues to be here for you. I look forward to seeing all of you in person at The Lighthouse hopefully very soon.
All best wishes,
Dr. Janet Szlyk | President/CEO
