IFB Beat – Week of April 24, 2023

A Message from the Editor

Some of the highlights this week share how your voice is being heard, your passions outside of work, and cool partnerships. I rely on you to keep everyone informed – send me news and updates to share!

Things to note this week:

• Coffee with the CEO is well underway in Winston-Salem – read where your feedback is starting to make changes
• Asheville employees: save the date for a Red Cross Blood Drive May 17
• If you missed IFB in the News, the WS braille class update, or the WSTA public hearing, please take a moment to review – it’s under the section “Beat Reminders”.

Thanks for reading the IFB 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

– IFB Solutions In the News
– Winston-Salem Braille Class Update
– The Forsyth chapter of the National Federation for the Blind invites you to the Second Chance Prom!
– Winston-Salem Transit Authority Bus Route Changes Public Hearing in the Insider Corner

New this Week

– Coffee with the CEO Update
– Winston-Salem General Assembly Monday, April 24
– See what S.E.E. is doing!
– Adult support group meeting schedule
– CLVC Item of the Week

From Our Community

– Insider Corner
– Asheville Employees attend Raul Midon Concert with Elly Wells Marketing and Project Management

HR and Opportunities

– New Job Announcements

Support Group Zoom Meeting Links

 

New this Week

Coffee with the CEO Update

We are in week five of Coffee with the CEO in Winston-Salem. You’ve asked thought-provoking questions and we’ve had beneficial discussions. Dan Kelly is deeply appreciative of your honesty and valuable feedback.

There have been several comments and questions about how Winston-Salem does General Assemblies, and in particular concerns expressed about being rushed through the information when the Assembly starts at 5:15pm. We are going to change our assembly time to following the last afternoon break. This will give time for everyone to absorb the information and ask questions. Additionally, ownership of General Assembly planning has changed to myself, Anastasia Powell, and I’ll be looking for ways to continuously improve the experience. Thank you for sharing your feedback in this forum and we’re excited to make changes like this.

 

Winston-Salem General Assembly Monday, April 24

To accommodate schedules this coming week, we will hold our General Assembly in Winston-Salem on Monday at 3:15 pm. We’re looking forward to presenting employee of the month awards for February, March and April as well as hearing updates from Dan Kelly as well as our HR and safety teams.

Please shut down all equipment, fans and other things that contribute to noise on the manufacturing floor promptly at 3:15. If you workspace is not close to the central offices (outside Pedro Rojas and Edward Sykes’ doors), please move closer to ensure you can hear.

For employees who are remote, we will email out notes following the meeting.

Thank you – we look forward to being with you Monday!

 

See what S.E.E. is Doing

S.E.E. After School Winston made a bunny racer snack. A Twinkie car with flavored marshmallows for wheels was the perfect ride for a Peeps bunny seated inside.

Adult Support Group Meetings:

• Monday, April 24 Guide Dog support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.
• Tuesday, April 25 Glaucoma support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.

 

CLVC Item of the Week:

Push Button Weekly Pill Planner – XL for $5.95

Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use

• Ideal for those with arthritis or limited dexterity— large pushbuttons individually open each of the 7 compartments.
• Extra-large compartments hold up to 30 aspirin tablets and are great for multiple larger medications and vitamins.
• Contoured scoop bottom for easy removal with fingertips and translucent lids allow easy pill identification.
• Silicone feet secure the planner to the counter for one-handed opening access.

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 IFB Family,

Get involved in various opportunities such as advocating for a cause, knocking down outdated barriers, or sharing talents through written and musical means. Figure out what you love to do and help others along the way. I know you have amazing information to share. Stop thinking about it, and be about it. Send to: fharding@ifbsolutions.org.

Have a great week.

Faith

 

April is Autism Awareness Month

Winter Robinson wants everyone to learn about April as autism awareness month. Identified as a growing global factor, individuals and families come together to share stories, provide support, and promote worldwide understanding of how autism effects not only those who live with it, but how society can improve their thought process towards it. Learn more at AutismSpeaks.org.

 

Stories are Written and Tarheel Talks

Have you ever considered writing or authored your own story? Well, the State Library of NC Accessible Books promotes writing talent from readers. Highlighted in their quarterly newsletter, Tarheel Talk Spring 2023 issue #170, various authors participated in their annual writing contest. The difficult decision to crown a winner was based on writing techniques, clarity, impact, and creativity. The winners are as followed:

• 1st Place: Becoming Benign by Kimberly Miller
• 2nd Place: Talking Old Crow ’22 by Edward Rizzuto
• 3rd Place: Moonlight by Diana Soto
• Honorable Mentions: Box of Rocks by Kristine Gupta, Acts of Love by Morris Dean

Congratulations to Diana Soto for placing and sharing her talents with all of us.

 

Dismantle Barriers, Increase Opportunities

The Winston-Salem Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities invites you to participate in their annual Barrier Awareness Day. It will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023. The meeting location is at Senior Services 2895 Shorefair Drive at 8:30am with a continental breakfast. Their goal is to raise awareness about the challenges people with disabilities face and to encourage support between people with and without disabilities.

First, for the Challenge event, participants will be divided into small groups, escorted by a person with a disability. The groups will venture into Winston-Salem while taking turns simulating several types of disabilities. This exercise creates awareness of the difficulties that people with disabilities face daily. There will also be at least one “guardian angel” with each group to assist as needed.

Secondly, you’re invited to participate in the Sensitivity Training session from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on the day of the event. Following the Sensitivity Training, participants will continue to experience the world of people with disabilities during lunch. After eating, a time of supportive interaction sharing your morning challenges will be available. Also, discussions on how to improve accessibility within the community will take place. A variety of disability-related agencies will be represented with resource tables and a wealth of information to share.

If you’re interested in attending contact Chris Flynt or Shonn Redmond.

 

Asheville Employees attend Raul Midon Concert with Elly Wells Marketing and Project Management

On April 15, Elly Wells Marketing and Project Management Team treated Asheville IFB Solutions employees to a concert at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. The concert was by Grammy-nominated artist Raul Midon, who has been blind since the age of three.

Elly Wells and teammate Jeff Howell provided transportation for employees to enjoy this special outing! Asheville employees Paul & Robin Robinson, Robert Sheff, and Charlene Hahn stated, “We had a great time, especially meeting Raul Midon after the concert.” A great big thank you to the Elly Wells Team!

Listen to a mini concert of Raul Midon’s musical art at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9qEmmPSHs8

 

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

 

In Line Inspector – Winston Salem (PT)

Education and work experience:

• High School graduate, GED or equivalent
• 1-3 years quality inspection experience preferred in quality control/assurance.
• ASQ (CQI or CQA) – Certified Quality Inspector/Auditor certification preferred.
• Textile and apparel experience preferred.

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=61015&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)