IFB Beat – Week of May 2, 2022

News to Know

It’s Time to Celebrate!

This year’s Employee Awards Celebration will be held the first week of May at all locations on the manufacturing floor. We will honor this year’s award winners, including years of service awards, and a free lunch from Chick-Fil-A will be offered to all employees. Please put a note on your calendar!
• Little Rock: May 4 at 8:30am
• Winston-Salem: May 4 at 11:00am
• Asheville: May 5 at 11:00am

 

Steps to S.E.E. Update!

Our S.E.E. students from North Carolina have walked over two hundred miles! Continue to support them in any way you can here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/SEE2022
Thanks to our fundraisers and all the event sponsors, we have already raised over $28,000 to send kids to S.E.E. camps! THANK YOU!

Promotion Announcement

Please join us in congratulating Naomi Venable for her promotion to the position of Development Support Professional effective Monday May 2. Naomi will be working under the direction of Tatiana Russell. Prior to joining IFB, Naomi worked as a Customer Service Representative for Rhia’s Beauty Supply and prior to holding that position worked as a Proofreader/Editor for Walking in Sunlight located in Houston, TX. Naomi joined IFB in 2018 and has worked in both textile and optical manufacturing. She is a past participant of the Business and Leadership Essentials program offered through Guildford College. Naomi is currently pursuing her Associates Degree in Business Administration from Stanley Community College. Congratulations Naomi!

 

Programs and Services

See what S.E.E. is Doing!

Trevon, Tyquan, Julian, sitting at the kitchen table and Ms. Kim standing behind them holding the book they made
Trevon, Tyquan, Julian, sitting at the kitchen table and Ms. Kim standing behind them holding the book they made.

S.E.E. After School Winston made a book called “Nice Farmer, Nice Farmer, What Do You Hear?” modeled after “Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?.” In the schoolhouse version, the farmer hears the various animals on the farm making their own noises. It ends with the nice farmer singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” This book is in Braille and large print with raised line illustrations that students and staff colored in with crayons.

Adult Support Group Meetings:

  • Monday, May 2 AAA Committee meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.
  • Tuesday, May 3 VIPS Club meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.
  • Wednesday, May 4 RP support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.
  • Thursday, May 5 Sight Adjustment support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.

 

Community Low Vision Center

CLVC Item of the Week:

Sheet Magnifier – 2x – 8-1-2 x 11 inches for $7.95. Provides Full Page Magnification.

The Low Vision center is a one-stop-shop! While you are purchasing a Sheet Magnifier check out one of the handheld magnifiers!

CLVC April item of the month:

Eschenbach Contrast Enhancing Solar Shields $49.00. Available in multiple colors to filter light and cut down on glare.

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

Insider Corner

Revision: An Accessible Fitness App

Tyler Merren, a blind multi-Paralympian and fitness instructor, designed a one stop shop for accessible fitness for those with or without sight. It encompasses all levels of fitness and goals from beginner to expert, from no equipment to a full training facility. Every classroom lesson is meticulously described using clockface directions, reference points, and step by step instructions to teach proper mechanics for any exercise. Each workout includes a beginner or advanced level and options for working out with or without music.

We are confident that you’ll find benefit from this app, download today and enjoy a free 14-day trial on us. a simple monthly subscription of $5.99, or an annual subscription of $59.99 will give you full and unlimited access to every drop of current material that we have released and future additions as the program grows.

Install on your Apple or Android devices from these links:

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/revision-fitness/id1561742182

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.revision.fitness

Listen to a podcast interviewing Tyler Merren about Revision Fitness:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGF6hXdnDHk&list=PL5iI0uwraRqqwFax9qHeOu4IczYW-SuUy&index=4

 

Sony A7IV Camera Hidden Feature

Besides being filled with amazing features, the beginning phases of a built-in screen reader is emerging. Sony took their time and desire to make their devices exclusive to all. This reader will open opportunities for low vision and blind users who want to create amazing content.

Watch a demo of the early phases of this screen reader being used:

Sony A7IV – The Feature Nobody’s Talking About But Could Be The Most Important! – YouTube

Keep up with this camera’s progress and other tech reviews, follow the Blind Life YouTube channel.

The Blind Life – YouTube

 

Have some interesting information to share or topic you would like to see in the Insider Corner? Whether it is your favorite podcast, website, or article that caught your attention, send to Faith Harding at fharding@ifbsolutions.org and we will post it!

Community Connections

Diana Soto IFB Solutions 2021 Employee of the Year won an honorable mention in the 2021 writing contest held by The State Library of NC (formerly NC Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped). Way to go!

From the spring April 2022 issue #167 of the Tarheel Talk newsletter:

“2021 Writing Contest Results: We are pleased to announce the results of the 2021 Writing Contest! We had so many more participants than in the previous year. Each of the entries were judged based on their clarity, spelling, grammar, creativity, and impact. We had over thirty participants in total, and all of the participants this year were in the 18 years and older division. We received a lot of fantastic entries, and the judging process was difficult. Here are our Writing Contest winners.
1st Place – Goines on by Moristotle
2nd Place – Mama Outsider by Willi Coleman
3rd Place – Money and Motherhood by Robert Bizal

“We decided to limit our Honorable Mentions to ten participants. They are in no order.

  • Suitcase Odyssey by Karen Bright
  • A Simple Walk by Eddie Weaver
  • Everybody’s got a Road by Edward Rizzuto
  • Dating Online by Hattie Tyson
  • Where Danger and Blessing Meet by Diane Pitre
  • The Visitor and the Amaranth by Diana Soto
  • Why Do I Know You by Mark Hughes
  • The Altar of Grace by Rebecca Tilley
  • 10 Pieces of the Puzzle of Life by Toni Horton
  • Attic Windows by Diann Cunningham

“Our winners’ entries from the 2021 Writing Contest, as well as the 2020 Writing Contest, will be made available to our patrons in a talking book format. If you would like to receive a copy on your cartridge, please contact us, and we will include them for you. Thank you all who participated. If you would like to participate in a future writing contest, we will begin accepting entries September 2022 through December 2022. You can expect to see the updated rules for in a future issue of the Tar Heel Talk.”

Accessible Voting in North Carolina, May 2022 Primary Elections

AVAILABLE NOW All one-stop early voting sites and schedules for the May 2022 statewide primary. Find location details here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-early-person#sites

North Carolina voters who are visually impaired have several ways to vote; however, many of these methods rely on the voter getting help from a family member, nursing facility staff, or even election workers. These approaches do not allow for the voter to vote privately and independently. This is of fundamental importance to most voters.

Previously, the exception to this is the in-person use of a special ballot marking device (one example is the AutoMARK machine). There are a number of issues with these machines, chief among them the need to get to the polling place to vote in person.

As of the 2020 election, North Carolina visually impaired voters can request and vote an absentee ballot online independently and privately without the need to get to the polls in person. This article aims to aid in the publicizing of the online accessible absentee ballot choice and gives guidance on learning how to take advantage of this capability.

A very good overview of the process for voting using the accessible ballot is https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/help-voters-disabilities/accessible-absentee-voting. The “How It Works” section will walk you through the process of requesting, accessing, marking, and returning the accessible absentee ballot. Note that the web pages and forms are all compatible with screen readers and allow for entering signatures digitally. Also note that (as for anyone voting absentee) you must have two witnesses that sign (or type) attesting that they have witnessed you marking your ballot and verify your identity. They are not to see how you vote.

You can practice locating, marking, and returning a demo ballot at any time through the N.C. Absentee Demo Ballot Portal at https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov/demo/app/home.

Much more information about the voting options for voters with disabilities, including help for those in care facilities, curbside voting, requesting ballots in alternative formats like large print, etc. can be found at https://ncsbe.gov/voting/help-voters-disabilities. If you are blind or visually impaired and need aid with any aspect of voting, please first contact your county board of elections. If you are not familiar with your county’s board of election, you may find them using https://vt.ncsbe.gov/BOEInfo/. You may also contact the ADA Coordinator, at ADACoordinator@ncsbe.gov, (919) 805-1302, 6400 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6400

Opportunities

We are HeRe for you!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

Not only is keeping your physical health in check important, keeping your mental health in check should also be a priority! On May 9th and May 18th during regular lunch hours, IFB Solutions is hosting the Mental Health Association of Forsyth County for Lunch and Learns! These will be 30 minute sessions, with food provided on the topic of “Importance of Self-Care/Building Resiliency”. There will be valuable information shared during these sessions, so we encourage you to sign up as there is limited availability! Please contact Haleigh Yarboro via email hyarboro@ifbsolutions.org or phone at extension 5635 if you are interested.

 

Just a friendly reminder!

The Winston Salem location has a $250 referral bonus program for any current employee that refers a blind or visually impaired candidate or sighted/temporary candidate to IFB.
Please contact HR for referral bonus program criteria. Associates at other locations should ask your HR Manager or supervisor for the specific programs available at your location.

Job Announcements

Customer Service Representative – JMS & Associates

Education and work experience:
• Associates degree in medical related field preferred
• 2-3 years experience in medical insurance billing required
• 2-3 years call center experience required

External candidates may apply at
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=36634&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909
Internal candidates may apply at
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=36635&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

Production Assistant T-Shirt Department – Winston-Salem Facility

Education and work experience:
• High School diploma or GED
• Three or more years of production experience
• Sewing experience would be beneficial

Internal candidates may apply at
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=36373&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

Quality Auditor – Winston-Salem Facility

Education and work experience:
• High School graduate or equivalent
• 1-3 years previous Quality Inspection experience preferred

Internal candidates may apply at
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=36382&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

BSC Store Clerk- FERC

Education and work experience:
• High School Diploma
• No prior experience required

External candidates may apply at
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=36511&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909
Internal candidates may apply at
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=36512&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

For more information

Please contact Brent Burkholder at 336-245-5611 or bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org.

 

Join Zoom Meeting (Adult Support Groups)

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/99498078576?pwd=ODJzK0sxcXZrME9yN25YRTdiNXBSQT09
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576
PASSWORD: 92638
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