IFB Beat – Week of October 3, 2022

News to Know

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Image of employee Jeff

In recognition of the significant role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive American workforce, the theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) 2022 is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” Observed annually in October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and highlights supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices. Read the news release

NDEAM recognizing how important it is to hire someone with a disability. Everyone deserves the dignity of work and the ability to create change within his or her own life. Jeff works at our Asheville manufacturing facility and is a prime example of how a job can turn someone’s life around.

Watch this video and learn about Jeff’s comeback story.

 

Meet Our New Hires!

Welcome New Employees: Barbara Weavil, Material Coordinator, Clemmons Distribution Center

Barbara Weavil started with IFB Solutions on September 26th, 2022. She will be working under the direction of Dale Baker as a Material Coordinator at the Winston Salem warehouse. Barbara comes to us from the Stokes County School System.

 

Welcome New Employee Kameron Bradley, Material Coordinator, Clemmons Distribution Center

Kameron Bradley will be starting with us as an official IFB Solutions employee on October 3rd, 2022. He has been with us as a temporary employee through Graham Personnel Services. Kameron will be working under the direction of Dale Baker as a Material Coordinator at the Clemmons warehouse location.

 

Retirement Announcement

Retirement Announcement: Sherree Dewitt, HR Manager, Little Rock Facility

Sherree Dewitt retired on September 30 2022 from her role as Human Resources Manager at the Little Rock Facility. She was a vital part of the IFB Human Resources team for about seven years. When she came to IFB, she had never worked with someone who is blind or visually impaired and over the years became a great friend. While we celebrate her retirement with her, this is a bittersweet time at IFB Little Rock. We wish Sherree the absolute best in the next chapter of her life!

 

Employee Picnic Updates!

Employees in line at previous years picnics

Get ready for fun, food, and door prizes! Here are your annual company picnic dates:

  • Asheville: Thursday, October 6 at 11:30am
  • Winston-Salem: Thursday, October 27 at 3:30pm
  • Little Rock: Friday, October 28 at 11:00am

 

Update on Winston-Salem Facility Cafeteria Operations

This past March, Mike Smith notified IFB leadership that he would be closing Mike’s Café at our Winston-Salem Facility at the end of the year. We’re thankful to him and his team for all their years of service. After evaluating a variety of options, we’re excited to announce that Canteen Markets will be moving into the space and open for service Tuesday, January 3.

The Canteen Market will feature a variety of heat-and-eat entrees and sides, fresh sandwiches, salads, and fruit and packaged snacks like candy bars and chips. It will include a large variety of sodas, juices, and coffees. The market will be open 24-7 – you can access the full range of items at any point during the day, not just breaks and lunchtime. An IFB employee will support ensuring access to the checkout terminals and maintaining the cleanliness and order of the cafeteria space.

We understand that you will have many questions, from specifics on the types of food to how the checkout terminals work. We’re working with the AAA Committee to ensure the flow of communication is open, and that we are able to address access and accessibility issues as best as possible before January 3. We look forward to sharing more information in the coming weeks.

~ IFB Solutions Executive Team

 

Programs and Services

Have an idea for a social activity for the Christmas holidays in Winston-Salem?

The Winston-Salem AAA Committee is getting back to providing social activities for our employees. Transportation will be provided but seats may be limited. This holiday event must be in the city limits of Winston-Salem. Submit ideas to Chris Flynt at X5620 or Anastasia Powell at X5698.

 

Come Join the Winston-Salem Facility Red Cross Blood Drive

Hosted by the Winston-Salem AAA Committee

During the past two years, our local and nationwide Red Cross donations has been at an all-time low. Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Your donations assist with heart surgeries, revitalizing accident victims, organ transplant recipients, and patients needing lifesaving procedures. So, will you raise your sleeve and save a life?

When: October 26, 2022
Where: Winston-Salem Tad’s Room
Time: 10:00am-2:30pm.
Manufacturing and optical contact your supervisor to set up an appointment to donate.

Admin contact Anastasia Powell at: APowell@ifbsolutions.org or Shonn Redmond at: SRedmond@ifbsolutions.org

 

See what S.E.E. is Doing!

Meiko with the cups of liquid with Oreos

S.E.E. After School Winston performed experiments with Oreo cookies putting a cookie into eight different liquids. They tested what changes happened to the Oreo in water, milk, vinegar, vegetable oil, Coke, dish detergent, lemon juice, and hand sanitizer after 24 and then 48 hours.

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

• Monday, October 3 AAA Committee meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.
• Tuesday, October 4 VIPS Club meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.
• Wednesday, October 5 RP support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.
• Thursday, October 6 Sight Adjustment support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.

Community Low Vision Center

CLVC Item of the Week:

Homeware Wireless Security Alert

Homeware Wireless Security Alert for $73.99 | Your guest is just one button press away! Use inside or out. The weather-resistant compact design can be placed outside next to your door or connected directly to the chime box of your existing doorbell. With up to a 500-foot range, the doorbell has a one-to-one connection to your Homeware system via the FCC certified RF waves. Now with even more options for door specific notifications (DOOR, FT-DOOR, BK-DOOR, DOOR3, DOOR4) and powered by two long lasting 357 silver oxide batteries (included) which last for up to two years with typical use.

 

CLVC September Item of the Month:

Omni-Sense Push-On White Cane Tip Attachment

Omni-Sense Push-On White Cane Tip Attachment for $49.99 | Great features, including technology allowing fluid, 360-degree movement across a range of surfaces. Tough, durable polymer construction for extended wear, resting stand, non-corrosive, and easy to clean.

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

Have a story, new article, app, or interesting fact you want to share? Email Faith Harding at FHarding@ifbsolutions.org and we will post it.

 

Community Connections

The Winston-Salem Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities (WSMCPD) is Celebrating its 75th Year!

The Winston-Salem Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities (WSMCPD) is celebrating its 75th year.  In celebration of this momentous occasion and in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, WSMCPD will hold its Annual Awards Ceremony on October 14, 2022 to recognize individuals, businesses and organizations for their contributions on behalf of persons with disabilities. This year’s theme, “DISABILITY: Part of the EQUITY EQUATION” recognizes the vital role people with disabilities play in making the nation’s workforce diverse and inclusive.

This year’s Awards Ceremony and reception will be Friday, October 14, 2022 from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm, at The Enrichment Center, 1006 South Marshall Street in Winston-Salem. We are extending this invitation to you, your friends, family members, and colleagues to attend.

Our keynote speaker is Ms. Wheelchair America 2023, Ali Ingersoll who is from Raleigh, NC. Ms. Ingersoll is a day trader, disability strategy consultant for Open Inclusion, writer, and public speaker. Ms. Ingersol’s passion lies in coaching people with disabilities on how to improve their quality of life by teaching them to self-advocate in order to live a life of independence, dignity, and grace.  She believes it’s important to band together as one in order to affect the greatest change on the national stage and in local communities.

We hope you can join us for this evening of advocacy and celebration.  You may email your registration (with the information below) to wsmcpd@gmail.com or you can follow the link below to submit your registration.

RSVP Link – MCPD Award Celebration RSVP

Job Announcements

Optical Finishing Tech III- Winston Salem

Education and work experience:
• High School diploma or GED required
• At least 2 years’ experience in Optical lab

Internal candidates may apply at
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=49348&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5
External candidates may apply at
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=49347&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

 

BSC Store Manager McGuire AFB

Education and work experience:
• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years prior retail management experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Must pass government background and drug tests.

Internal candidates may apply at
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=49341&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5
External candidates may apply at
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=49340&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

 

For more information, please contact Brent Burkholder at 336 245 5611 or bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org.

Zoom Meeting Links

Adult Support Groups Zoom

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