IFB Beat – Week of April 17, 2023

A Message from the Editor

Greetings all! This week we have several updates from employees doing great work all across our country – thanks to everyone who is sending me news and updates to share!

A few highlights this week:

• Our partnership with Maximus, one of the largest call center operators in the world, was announced by their communications team and is starting to get picked up by the news.
• If you missed the update on the Textile Optimization Key Initiative last week, please take a moment to review – it’s the first link under the section “Reminders from Prior Editions of the Beat”.
• In the Insider Corner, Faith Harding notes the importance of a voice in public transportation – if you’re in the Winston-Salem area, don’t miss WSTA’s upcoming public meeting.

Thank you for clicking the link and reading The Beat – have a great week!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager

apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

Reminders from Prior Editions of The Beat

– Textile Optimization Update from last week’s The Beat
– IFB Solutions Retirement Plan Webinar
– Congrats to the Winston-Salem Business Essentials Class of 2023
– Congrats to the VIPs 2 Minute Table Topics Winners

New this Week

– IFB Solutions In the News
– What’s Happening on the Floor – Asheville Employees Making a Difference!
– Winston-Salem Braille Class Update
– See what S.E.E. is doing!
– Adult support group meeting schedule
– CLVC Item of the Week

From Our Community

– Insider Corner
– The Forsyth chapter of the National Federation for the Blind invites you to the Second Chance Prom!

HR and Opportunities

– New Job Announcements

Support Group Zoom Meeting Links

 

New this Week

IFB Solutions In the News

Maximus, a leading strategic partner to governments across the globe and IFB Solutions partner on a new program to hire blind and visually impaired for full-time contact center work.

• Read all about it in the Winston Salem Journal: https://journalnow.com/business/local/ifb-solutions-forms-training-partnership-with-employment-group/article_52bca09c-d7c4-11ed-a5d4-6b62fe7d43dc.html
• Read all about it in Western North Carolina Business (WNC Business): https://www.wncbusiness.com/2023/04/07/431507/maximus-and-ifb-solutions-partner-on-new-program-to-hire-blind-and-visually-impaired-for-full-time-contact-center-work

IFB Solutions’ new job promotions were announced in the Business Milestones section of The Winston Salem Journal. Check it out: https://journalnow.com/business/business-milestones/article_1506fc62-c990-11ed-9563-cb4955a56834.html

IFB Solutions 2023 Business Essentials graduates announced in the Business Milestones section of the Winston-Salem Journal; check it out: https://journalnow.com/business/business-milestones/article_97e43e8c-d233-11ed-a34b-2f22f7a0f6e8.html

 

What’s Happening on the Floor: Asheville Employees Making a Difference!

Tony Brake, 2023 Asheville Employee of the Year, and Grant Weathers, Low Vision Services and Outreach Coordinator at the Asheville CLVC, were invited to the Franklin School of Innovation to partner with the students on a project to help develop their interviewing skills. This was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the jobs IFB provides for people who are blind or low vision. Tony shared his vision loss story to four groups of middle school aged students. He amazed the students with his determination, versatility, great personality, and natural ability to be a leader. He also explained the diversity of jobs people who are blind or low vision do in the building across the street from their school!

Following, the students enjoyed a tour of the facility. Utilizing real work experience, they conducted interviews with some of Asheville’s finest employees. Loving this eye-opening experience, the students and teachers enjoyed their visit with IFB and departed with a stronger understanding that despite vision loss, nothing is impossible with the right opportunity!

Winston-Salem Braille Class Update

Effective Wednesday, April 19, Braille class will be moved to Wednesdays from 11:00am-11:30am in Tad’s room. If interested in taking classes, contact Kim Shoffner at kshoffner@ifbsolutions.org or 336-245-5669.

 

See what S.E.E. is Doing

S.E.E. After School Winston tracked the weather through the month of March to see if it came in like a lion and went out like a lamb. We decided that we had 20 lamb days and only 11 lion days in March. We used the weather station in the backyard to record high and low temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and humidity for each day.

Adult Support Group Meetings:

Join the Assistive Technology Support Group for an informative April meeting!

We will be talking about Microsoft Edge and the advantages of using it over other browsers. Also, we will introduce you to a unique way to save web pages as favorites and access them with any web browser. Zoom in on April 20 at 7:00 to learn more.

Adult Support Group Meetings:

• Monday, April 17 AAA Committee meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.
• Tuesday, April 18 VIPS Club meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.
• Wednesday, April 19 Diabetic support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.
• Thursday, April 20 Assistive Technology support group meeting from 7:00-8:00 via Zoom (zoom link at end of newsletter).

 

CLVC Item of the Week:

HealthSmart GripLoc Sliding Reacher for $38.95

No more uncomfortable squeezing while reaching. Engineered from the ground-up, the GripLoc Sliding Reacher has a unique patent-pending, two-handed design that avoids tough squeezing while offering increased leverage and better control than traditional reachers. The exclusive arthritis-friendly Power Slide technology coupled with large, easy-to-grasp handles makes opening and closing the jaws effortless. The new twist-and-click lock keeps the jaws in place and keeps your items secure while the extra-wide jaw with micro-grip tips lets you pick up items with ease. Innovative 360-degree design lets you simply rotate the reacher in your hand to grab those hard-to-reach items. Slim design with a built-in hanger provides a quick out-of-the-way storage solution.

CLVC April Item of the Month:

BoldWriter 20 Pen Easy-To-See BoldPoint- Black for $1.29. The superior pen for those without 20-20 vision.

• This replacement for the discontinued 20/20 Pen is easy-to-see and read with incredibly vivid, high-visibility black ink.
• Quick-drying— NO smudges and doesn’t bleed through paper.
• Bold point produces highly legible line width— ideal for low vision and visually impaired users.
• Easy-to-grip design— great for seniors and those with dexterity issues.
• Superior quality— Made in the USA.

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

This section is edited by Faith Harding.

Hello family,

Here are some topics for discussion. Transportation is extremely important in the blind and low vision community. Changes to the fixed bus routes can have favorable as well as undesirable effects on the paratransit service availability as well. So please let your intelligent voice be heard at the WS Transit public hearing. I know many of you are avid NC library readers, join the panel to share your thoughts. These services are provided for us by those who don’t necessarily use them. By showing your appreciation, these services can continue. Just like you, everyone wants to know their efforts toward what they are doing is worth it!

I know you have amazing information to share. Stop thinking about it, and be about it. Send to: fharding@ifbsolutions.org. Make it an awesome week!

Faith

 

Winston-Salem Transit Authority Bus Route Changes

Your attendance is requested.

WSTA will be holding a public hearing about upcoming proposed changes to the bus routes. If you utilize the bus service and want to learn more or how this might affect you, here are the public hearing details.
When: Tuesday, April 25 2023
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Central Library Auditorium, 660 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

North Carolina Library Association 2023 Conference

The State Library of NC Accessible Books and Library Services (formerly NC Library for the Blind) needs a couple of people that are active library patrons to be on a discussion panel this fall. The SLNC ABLS would like very much to have a patron panel for the North Carolina Library Association Conference in October from 10/17-10/20 this year, and the conference will be held in downtown Winston-Salem. If you are interested, please contact Kim Shoffner at kshoffner@ifbsolutions.org or extension 5669.

 

The Forsyth chapter of the National Federation for the Blind invites you to the Second Chance Prom!

Dance the night away all over again!

The Forsyth chapter of the NFB is hosting it’s first annual Second Chance Prom! This is a fun opportunity for you to enjoy a night of dancing, food, and prizes! It’s a formal affair so, dress your best!

When: Saturday, June 17 2023
Where: Hampton Inn & Suites Winston-Salem Downtown Hotel, 235 Cherry St.
Time: 6:00pm-10:00pm
Cost: $30 per person

Tickets are on sale now! To purchase contact NFB president Angela Hanes (ACS department) or Brian Ballard (Vinyl department).

 

HR & Opportunities

New Job Announcements

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

Customer Service Representative – Maximus – San Antonio, TX

Education and work experience:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• 2 years of customer service experience preferred.
• If applicable, demonstrated proficiency in use of Assistive Technology required with either JAWS and/or Zoom Text for visual adaptation.
• Bilingual Spanish-English capability a plus.
• Must reside within 70 miles of San Antonio, Texas.

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=60574&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=60575&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

Material Coordinator- Winston Salem

Education and work experience:

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
• 2 years’ experience in shipping and receiving

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=60702&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=60703&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

 

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)