IFB Solutions Awarded Nearly $10,000 in Grants for Program that Provides Free Assistive Technology to Children Who are Blind

Contact
Nicole Ducouer, IFB Solutions Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Programs
336-685-2393 | nducouer@ifbsolutions.org

 

IFB SOLUTIONS AWARDED NEARLY $10,000 IN GRANTS FOR PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FREE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO CHILDREN WHO ARE BLIND

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (Feb. 21, 2019) – During the school day, children who are blind or visually impaired have access to the assistive technology they need in the classroom, but many lack that same technology at home making it impossible to complete their assignments and foster a love of reading. Fortunately, an innovative program called Focus on Literacy created by Winston-Salem based nonprofit IFB Solutions pairs students with the technology they need at home completely free of charge. The program, which operates out of IFB’s Community Low Vision Centers, is funded completely through generous donations from individuals and businesses.

Recognizing February as Low Vision Awareness month, IFB Solutions announces that three companies have provided grants totaling nearly $10,000 for the Focus on Literacy Program.

Speedway Children’s Charity of Concord, N.C., provided a grant of $6,000 with a focus on students from Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Iredell counties.
Duke Community Care Fund of Durham, N.C., provided a grant of $1,430 with a focus on students from Durham, Orange and Wake counties.
Enterprise Holdings Foundation of St. Louis, Mo., provided a grant of $1,500 for students in any region served by the Focus on Literacy program.

“We are so grateful to these organizations for choosing to support the Focus on Literacy program,” said Ksenia Richards, Director of Philanthropy for IFB Solutions. “Focus on Literacy is changing the lives of children who are blind or visually impaired by giving them the technology they so desperately need without additional financial burden to their families.”

An example of the power of the Focus on Literacy program is seven-year-old Aiden Bradley of Denton, N.C. Through the program, Aiden received a 22” CCTV Acrobat video magnifier, pocket scope monocular and dome magnifier which he uses at home. “Because of the assistive technology that Aiden received through the Focus on Literacy program, he has moved up two reading groups and is excelling at math. He is an entirely different kid who now likes to go to school because he has the confidence that he can be successful,” says Aiden’s mom, Amanda.

About IFB Solutions (IFB) IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to more than 40 office supply stores and optical centers across the country. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible the Community Low Vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark., and Tracy’s Little Red Schoolhouse based in Winston-Salem. www.ifbsolutions.org