IFB Beat – Week of May 31, 2022

News to Know

HR Update – Open Enrollment 2022

Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to reflect upon your current benefit elections and make any needed changes for the upcoming year. During this period, you may add or remove eligible dependents and change your benefit elections. Changes will go into effect on Friday, July 1, 2022.

If you choose not to make any changes, you will not need to do anything. Your existing coverage options will automatically roll over into the new plan year.

*Please click on the link below which will give you access to an audio – visual presentation of IFB’s 2022 Health Plan*

ENGLISH
https://www.brainshark.com/bcbsnc/IFBSolutions2022

SPANISH
https://www.brainshark.com/bcbsnc/IFB2022_SP

GREAT NEWS!!
There has been no rate increases for the 2022-2023 Medical, Dental or Vision plan year!

NEED HELP?
If you need help enrolling or don’t have access to a computer, please contact the following (based on your location) to assist you between Friday, May 20th and Thursday, June 2nd:

WINSTON-SALEM & BSC’s:
• Laura True
Phone: (336) 245-5653
Email: ltrue@ifbsolutions.org
• Ana Bracetty
Phone: (336) 245-5644
Email: abracetty@ifbsolutions.org

ASHEVILLE:
• Mary Hunter
Phone: (828) 667-9778 x5827
Email: mhunter@ifbsolutions.org

ARKANSAS:
• Sherree Dewitt
Phone: (501) 492-7510
Email: sdewitt@ifbsolutions.org

ALL – Please Note: Thursday, June 2nd is the last day to make changes.

 

Programs and Services

The NFB support group in Winston-Salem is collecting broken or used canes.

These canes will be cleaned up and repaired for people who are blind in third world countries that do not have access to canes for safe travel. We will be collecting canes through the end of September. Please support this effort by putting your broken or used canes in the collection box located in the TADS room by the braille cabinet. You can also give your canes to an NFB member.
Brian Ballard/Vinyl department
Tonya Patterson/Vinyl department
Angela Hanes/ ACS department
Bob Parson/ ACS department

 

See What S.E.E. is Doing!

Julien with a goose.
The S.E.E. After School Winston kids had fun at the Salem Lake Nature Center touching and learning about animals such as a tiny green tree frog, gray and brown Lop rabbits named Winston and Salem, a baby corn snake named Sandy, an Eastern box turtle named Shelly, a green anole lizard, and feeding ducks and geese by the lake plus a special snack of ice cream. So much fun!

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

  • Wednesday, June 1 RP support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.
  • Thursday, June 2 Sight Adjustment support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room

Community Low Vision Center

CLVC Item of the Week:

Key Chain Watch – $11.95. Hear time spoken. This Oval Talking Keychain has 1/4″ Black numbers on an LCD display. Female Voice. LCD and audio time report. Alarm. Hourly time announcement.

The Low Vision center is a one stop shop! While you are purchasing a Key Chain Watch check out a talking wrist watch!

CLVC June item of the month:

Flexible Cutting Boards – $7.95. People with low vision can find the best contrast for them with this pack of 4 multi-colored cutting boards. Different foods may require different colors—a blue board for a carrot, a red board for an egg. These flexible boards allow users to easily dump chopped items directly into a pot or pan, making cooking that much easier.

 

Insider Corner

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

NCCDD Hosts Fourth Self-Advocate Discussion Series on June 1!

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD)’s monthly discussion series boost the voices and messages of NC self-advocates* for influencing social and systems change. Spanish, ASL, and CART Captioning will be available.

Register for the session on June 1, 2022 by clicking here: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdeqspz8vE4klF3m7MeoiMHWRWhrhXc0 

*We welcome people who identify as individuals with disabilities, with conditions, or as self-advocates to add to our discussion.

 

 Opportunities

We are HeRe for you!

Are you looking to take the next steps of home ownership? Summer is considered to be the prime season for buying a home. Did you know that according to many financial advisors and statistics, it may be cheaper and more cost effective in the long run to look into buying a home verses renting from someone. With the market of renting, buying can be cheaper for you as you are working towards something that you will own and build equity in. If you are interested in potentially purchasing a home and taking that next step, there are several resources available that are close by such as Experiment in Self-Reliance, Financial Pathways, and even Truist Financial. If you would like more information, please contact Haleigh Yarboro at X5635.

 

We are pleased to announce information regarding the IFB Scholarship offerings for the 2022-23 academic year.

The application period has officially opened!

The Tina Bess and Daniel J. Boucher Scholarship Information

IFB offers its employees two scholarships to further their post-secondary education. The Tina Bess Scholarship and Daniel J. Boucher scholarship are offered to our employees and direct dependents to continue their education in accredited universities or colleges and is described below. There is a formal process that individuals must follow to be considered for a scholarship also described below:

1. The Tina Bess Scholarship is for blind, visually impaired or sighted employees – who are full-time, are in good standing and have completed 1 year of service. Tina Bess was employed at IFB for 30 years as a Production Assistant. She was recognized as the 2001 Career Achiever and twice honored as the employee of the year. Tina was best remembered by her peers as a mentor, advisor, and friend. Tina did not allow her vision impairment to hold her back from being independent, instead using her circumstance to maintain a steadfast level of determination, perseverance, and courage. Countless employees during her time at IFB have accounted stories of Tina’s personal generosity, commitment, and loyalty to them and the organization. Tina’s excellence and inner-drive to perform was the priceless personal character contributor to all who came in contact with her.

2. The Daniel J. Boucher Scholarship is for blind, visually impaired, or sighted employees and their direct dependents – the employee must be full-time, in good standing and have completed 1 year of service. Mr. Boucher served as the IFB President from 1996-2008 prior to working in the role of Executive Chairman from 2008 through 2016. During his time as President, he led IFB through tremendous growth establishing new business lines including Optical, BSC store locations, and services, ultimately resulting in tremendous growth of blind employment nation-wide. This scholarship was established by a friend of Mr. Bouchers to honor his legacy and provide opportunities for continued professional development for those Mr. Boucher worked with and held in the highest regard.

To be considered for either scholarship, each applicant must submit a completed application, an acceptance letter from the college or university, a copy of the student ID (front and back), and documentation of the tuition and associated costs.

The deadline for submitting applications and all supporting materials indicated above is Friday, June 24, 2022. Supporting materials should be submitted to Brent Burkholder at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org. All applications should be completed at the following links:

Tina Bess Scholarship Application-

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SQbDxA4fmESiHhoGX06NHOYPKmJQb4VLrwA3jsZJq_NURE5WQVY4NlBFSlJQTExHRUNaNVJSNE9OQS4u

Daniel Boucher Scholarship Application-
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SQbDxA4fmESiHhoGX06NHOYPKmJQb4VLrwA3jsZJq_NUM1Y5RzFGQ0w3VlQ2UDFIQUROVlhQM1lLQS4u

Once all applications and supporting materials are received, the committee will consider each applicant for an award. If chosen, the recipient must show proof of class attendance and must complete all classes with at least a “C” to be considered for future funding. The amount of the scholarship awarded depends on tuition costs submitted, how many applicants are being considered for scholarships and funds being available in each scholarship fund.

For more information, please contact Brent Burkholder at 336.245.5611 or bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org

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

Teacher Assistant- Charlotte

Required Education and work experience:

  • High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
  • 2 years experience working with disabled individuals preferred

External candidates may apply at

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=39011&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=39012&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

Production Trainer

Education and work experience:

  • Must have high school diploma or GED.
  • At least 2-3 years’ experience as a trainer in a manufacturing environment preferred.

Internal candidates may apply at

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=39099&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

Customer Service Representative- Maximus

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 Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, or Athens, Texas.

External candidates may apply at

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=39104&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=39105&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

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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Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576