IFB Beat – Week of October 9, 2023

A Message from the Editor

This week, be sure to read an announcement regarding NIB agency VisionCorps’ acquisition of the Little Rock Facility, an important update regarding changes to your benefits, and how you can support the NFB support group during blind equality achievement month in October.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful week!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager

apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– VisionCorps Acquires Little Rock Facility, Notebook Operations
– Adult Support Group Meetings
– CLVC Item of the Week

From Our Community

– Insider Corner

HR and Opportunities

– Important Benefits Changes
– Winston-Salem Flu Clinic
– New Job Openings

Support Group Zoom Meeting Links

 

New this Week

VisionCorps Acquires IFB Solutions’ Little Rock Facility, Notebook Operations

Last week, VisionCorps, a nonprofit focused on empowering people who are blind or vision impaired to attain independence through employment, signed an agreement with IFB Solutions to acquire its Little Rock facility and notebook manufacturing operations.

Earlier this year, the IFB Solutions Executive Team and Board of Directors announced several significant changes to IFB’s organizational structure, including the difficult business decision to cease operations at our Little Rock, Arkansas, facility by the end of September 2023. At the time, they alluded to the potential sale of the Little Rock facility and some of its operations to another AbilityOne agency with the hope of preserving blind employment in that community. As the deal has come to fruition, we can now publicly say that VisionCorps is setting up operations at this facility and we wish them all the best for the future.

Read an article covering this here: https://www.kark.com/news/business/visioncorps-opens-little-rock-manufacturing-plant-will-employ-blind-visually-impaired-workers/ 

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

Support Group Updates and Changes:

Update from the NFB Support Group:

The National Federation of the Blind celebrate blind equality achievement month in October. As part of this celebration the Forsyth County chapter will be having the following event:

One Mile Awareness Walk
When: October 14th
Where: Kimberly Park, 2001 Pittsburgh Avenue at 2PM.

We will have volunteers from the Twin City Host Lions Club to assist our walkers, music, and refreshments. Spectrum news will be covering this event. Come out in your numbers as we walk for equality.

Upcoming Support Group Meetings

  • Monday, October 9 NFB meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.
  • Tuesday, October 10 Transportation support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.
  • Wednesday, October 11 Blind Ambitions support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room.

 

CLVC Item of the Week:

Image of the talking food cans

Talking Food Cans for $25.95
Identifying different objects of a similar shape is difficult for the visually impaired who want to stay independent. Talking Food Cans solve this problem by using a recordable voice message to tell you what the item is.

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

 

HR & Opportunities

Important Benefits Change

This section is a monthly feature supported by IFB Solutions Benefits Supervisor Ciara Frenette. Reach her at cfrenette@ifbsolutions.org.

IFB is excited to announce that effective November 1, 2023, we are replacing MetLife with Guardian Insurance! From the time they were founded in 1860, Guardian takes pride in being a mutual company owned by policyholders and exists solely to serve customers and protect your loved ones. Be on the lookout for your Guardian Welcome Kit with new dental and vision ID cards to arrive in the mail! All active coverage that you currently have will remain the same and no action is required on part.

Guardian plans that IFB offers that will now be covered through Guardian and no longer through MetLife:
• Dental
• Vision
• Short Term Disability
• Basic Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Critical Illness
• Accident

 

Winston-Salem Facility Flu Clinic

The Health Clinic RN will be administering Flu vaccines on Tuesday, October 17th & Wednesday, October 18th. Venessa will come to the employee’s workstation and offices to administer, and you will be provided with a Flu Vaccine Consent Form that is required to receive the flu vaccine.

The standard dose of the Flu Vaccine(Inactivated Influenza) is for ages younger than 65. The higher dose of the Flu Vaccine (Inactivated Influenza) is for ages 65 and older. People who are 65 and older should consult their PCP and/or schedule appointment with their pharmacy to receive the higher dose of the Flu Vaccine. The Health Clinic will only be providing the standard dose of the Flu Vaccine.

 

New Job Announcements

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

For information about any employment opportunities with IFB Solutions please contact Brent Burkholder at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org or X5611.

 

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)