IFB Beat – Week of October 16, 2023

A Message from the Editor

Stroll the Beat and find community events, celebrations, and updates. IFB continues to celebrate employees during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Like ghosts, goblins, and treats? The Beat has community events you don’t want to miss! Get involved, get screened, donate, take action during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Lastly, if you’re at the Winston-Salem Facility, note the Canteen Market update and changes.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful week!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager

apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
– Attention Veterans: Help needed!
– Winston-Salem Facility Canteen Market Update
– See what S.E.E. is Doing
– Adult Support Group Meetings
– The Community Low Vision Center Observes White Cane Safety Day
– CLVC Item of the Week

From Our Community

– Insider Corner

HR and Opportunities

– October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
– Reminder: Important Benefits Changes
– Reminder: Winston-Salem Facility Flu Shots
– New Job Openings

Support Group Zoom Meeting Links

 

New this Week

Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

Observed each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices that benefit employers and employees. The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has chosen “Advancing Access and Equity” as the theme for NDEAM 2023. NDEAM en Española.

The workplace is an important part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and IFB Solutions remains steadfast in its mission to provide employment opportunities, training and support services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Meet Lee Hartline IFB Solutions sewing machine operator. “My name is Lee. I am visually and hearing impaired. I am here to tell you anything is possible with the right opportunity. Watch my story here: https://youtu.be/odpJE9Jta1c.”

 

Attention Veterans: Help needed!

Each year around Veterans Day, IFB Solutions honors individuals who have identified with our HR department as Veterans. PLEASE report your veteran status to HR by Thursday, November 2nd so that we can recognize your service – if we don’t have you on the list, we can’t honor you! Stop by the office of a member of HR or send and email to HR@ifbsolutions.org.

 

Winston-Salem Facility Canteen Market Update

On Friday, October 13th, the Canteen Market was moved into its permanent location inside the kitchen area of the cafeteria. The new flow will begin on Monday, October 16th. Here are some details about the move and flow:

• When entering the cafeteria make a left and go into the market area
• The market will be set up along the wall on the right side of the room (where Mike had his snacks)
• There will be 3 exit points.
  • The door leading out to the hallway to take you back to manufacturing.
  • The door at the far side of the room to the left will take you to the outside near the employee entrance.
  • Door on lower end of the market and to the right that leads back into the cafeteria eating area.

There will be attendance available to assist you and answer any questions you may have.

 

See what S.E.E. is Doing

S.E.E. kids enjoyed a trip to Kaleideum North to explore the dinosaur exhibit and lots of other stations as well. What a fun way to also practice our orientation/mobility skills as we navigated through the hands-on activities and threaded our way through other guests.

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

• Monday, October 16 AAA Committee meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.
• Tuesday, October 17 VIPS Club meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.
• Wednesday, October 18 Diabetic support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.
• Thursday, October 19 Assistive Technology support group meeting from 7:00-8:00 via zoom. (link at end of newsletter)

 

The Community Low Vision Center Observes White Cane Safety Day

Every year,  White Cane Safety Day is celebrated on October 15th. The Community Low Vision Center, in observance and celebration of White Cane Safety Day, is having a White Cane Sale on October 16th! All white canes, cane tips, and cane holsters will be discounted 5%. Please come and help us celebrate this very special day!

CLVC Item of the Week:

Terry Oven Mitt – One, 17 inches – $14.95
Made of heavy-duty institutional grade terry cloth, this quilted oven mitt can handle temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods of time. Extra-long size offers protection up to the elbow. Great for use while baking. One size fit all. For either left- or right-hand use. Mitt comes complete with hanging loop. Machine washable; air or line dry.

If you are interested in purchasing Low Vision Equipment through our Loan Program (3rd Party), please contact a Low Vision Coordinator for assistance.

From Our Community

Insider Corner

It’s Getting Better!

Technology… Yes, it is getting better with accessibility.
Tired of always needing to ask someone to describe an item to you? Have you used the app Be My Eyes? They’ve collaborated with Open AI to create Be My AI.
It’s easy to get started. Simply download the free Be My Eyes on iOS and iPad OS if you haven’t already. Tap on Be My AI tab. Take a picture. The artificial intelligence will write a detailed description of your photo.

For example, I took a picture of a decorative crystal tree in my office. This was the result:
“The picture shows a decorative item placed on a wooden shelf. The decorative item appears to be a small tree made of colorful gemstones. The tree has branches made of copper wire with gemstones attached to them in various colors including purple, green, orange, and clear. The base of the tree is made to resemble a tree trunk and roots. It is placed in a black rectangular pot. The pot has some Chinese characters on it. The wooden shelf is light brown and has a modern design.”

If more details are needed, you can tap Ask More. A text box will open. Input your question and AI will respond. If you need additional assistance, tap on Call A Volunteer and you can always speak with a live agent.
Try this free app and finally see what’s around you! But be smart – don’t show this app any sensitive or confidential information like bills, banking or health information.

Application Description:
Need a pair of sharp eyes? Or have some sight to lend? Be My Eyes is a simple, free tool to see the world better, together.
FREE. GLOBAL. 24/7. Be My Eyes is a multi-lingual support community million strong, available globally day or night, and has volunteers answering calls in more than 185 languages. Join the community today!
Sign up to get free visual support with tasks like reading small print, matching clothes, troubleshooting technology, setting up home appliances, or any other simple task a volunteer can complete over live video. If a task is too complicated or requires expertise, call one of our company partners for on-demand video customer support via Specialized Help.

If you have eyesight you want to share, sign up as a volunteer and answer calls from a person in need! Tasks are usually completed in just a few minutes, and if you are busy there’s no need to answer – someone else will get it. For more information, visit BeMyEyes.com

Winston-Salem Parks and Recreation Halloween event: Treat Trail

Join us for a fun family outing!
When: Saturday, October 21
Time: 4-6 PM
Where: Bolton Park

Kaleideum Exceptional Night at the Museum: Spooktacular!

Friday, October 20
5:30-8 pm

It’s a night full of candy, costumes, and crafts for children and adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities — along with their families and caregivers. Guests can trick-or-treat around the museum, dig into spooky sensory bins, create paper pumpkins, and more! Exceptional Night events offer inclusive and adaptive programming in a less crowded museum environment.

Members free; non-members $5; Museums for All $3.

 

HR & Opportunities

October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

We know that to help those facing breast cancer, awareness alone isn’t enough. This October, get involved, get screened, make a donation, take action. Make this Breast Cancer Awareness Month about more than awareness. 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2023, an estimated 297,790 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Chances are, you know at least one person who has been personally affected by breast cancer. But there is hope. When caught in its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year survival rate is 99%. Advances in early detection and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years, and there are currently over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. This is something to celebrate!

To assist with access to screenings, IFB is bringing the Novant Health Mobile Mammogram Unit onsite at Winston-Salem Facility on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

 

Reminder: Important Benefits Change

Reach IFB Solutions Benefits Supervisor Ciara Frenette at cfrenette@ifbsolutions.org.

IFB is excited to announce that effective November 1, 2023, we are replacing MetLife with Guardian Insurance! From the time they were founded in 1860, Guardian takes pride in being a mutual company owned by policyholders and exists solely to serve customers and protect your loved ones. Be on the lookout for your Guardian Welcome Kit with new dental and vision ID cards to arrive in the mail! All active coverage that you currently have will remain the same and no action is required on part.

Guardian plans that IFB offers that will now be covered through Guardian and no longer through MetLife:
• Dental
• Vision
• Short Term Disability
• Basic Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Critical Illness
• Accident

 

Reminder: Winston-Salem Facility Flu Clinic

The Health Clinic RN will be administering Flu vaccines on Tuesday, October 17th & Wednesday, October 18th. Venessa will come to the employee’s workstation and offices to administer, and you will be provided with a Flu Vaccine Consent Form that is required to receive the flu vaccine.

The standard dose of the Flu Vaccine(Inactivated Influenza) is for ages younger than 65. The higher dose of the Flu Vaccine (Inactivated Influenza) is for ages 65 and older. People who are 65 and older should consult their PCP and/or schedule appointment with their pharmacy to receive the higher dose of the Flu Vaccine. The Health Clinic will only be providing the standard dose of the Flu Vaccine.

 

New Job Announcements

For all current openings, visit https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

For information about any employment opportunities with IFB Solutions please contact Brent Burkholder at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org or X5611.

 

Zoom Meeting Links

Adult Support Groups Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/99498078576?pwd=ODJzK0sxcXZrME9yN25YRTdiNXBSQT09
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576
PASSWORD: 92638
One tap mobile
+13017158592,99498078576# US (Germantown)

13126266799,99498078576# US
+(Chicago)

Dial by your location.
877 853 5257 US Toll-free
888 475 4499 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576

 

Assistive Technology Support Group Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/94434630872?pwd=aXFYSHYyWkh1SE1tWDNOdDIwVURwUT09

Meeting ID: 944 3463 0872
Passcode: 924496

+13017158592, 99434630872, #, # US (Germantown)

+13126266799, 99434630872, #, # US (Chicago)