Contact
Nicole Ducouer, IFB Solutions Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Programs
336-685-2393 | nducouer@ifbsolutions.org

 

LOCAL SCHOOLCHILDREN TO RECEIVE FREE EYEGLASSES WITH 3D LENS TECHNOLOGY AS IFB SOLUTIONS AND LUXEXCEL CELEBRATE FIRST YEAR OF PARTNERSHIP

WHAT: Nearly 20 local schoolchildren will receive a free pair of eyeglasses as local nonprofit IFB Solutions and technology developer Luxexcel celebrate one year of partnership. The eyeglasses will feature lenses made with IFB’s 3D printer developed by Luxexcel. It is the world’s first commercial 3D printer of ophthalmic lenses.

For several of the children, this will be their first pair of eyeglasses and something both IFB and Luxexcel hope will help them in the classroom. According to Prevent Blindness America, one in four school-age children have vision problems that, if left untreated, can affect learning ability, personality and adjustment in school.

“One of our biggest challenges in public education is meeting all the needs of children. Their medical, health, and physical needs happen beyond the classroom, but those needs are critically important to a child’s educational success. That’s why we are so grateful to have community partners like IFB and Luxexcel. Their gift of eyeglasses gives these students the gift of vision, something we could never do alone. At school and at home, vision is a vital part of a child’s overall well-being,” said Michael Pesce, WS/FCS Director of Social Work.

Prior to receiving their eyeglasses, most of the children were seen at IFB’s optical center to determine their current vision and select the frame of their choice. (Photos from exam day are attached and included at end of alert.)

IFB and Luxexcel have been partners in bringing 3D printing to the optical industry. Luxexcel spent several years optimizing the technology for the ophthalmic market with IFB coming on board in late 2017 to install the first commercial equipment in its optical lab. IFB uses the technology to help service its optical contracts with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. IFB’s optical lab, staffed primarily by individuals who are blind, averages nearly 1,200 pairs of eyeglasses per day with the majority going to military veterans and their families.

“The children will now be able to see what is happening on the board and have greater clarity when they are reading,” said Dan Kelly, Chief Operating Officer for IFB Solutions. “Plus, they will have bragging rights that their lenses were printed with this very cool 3D technology.”

WHO: Dan Kelly, IFB Solutions; Guido Groet, Chief Commercial Officer for Luxexcel;
students and social workers from WS/FCS

WHEN: Thursday, March 7, 2019, 12 noon – 1:00 p.m.
Official cake-cutting ceremony at 12:15 p.m.

WHERE: IFB Solutions, 7730 North Point Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Enter at the Community Low Vision Center on the left wing of building with blue awning

   

MORE: IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to more than 40 office supply stores and optical centers across the country. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible the Community Low Vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark., and Tracy’s Little Red Schoolhouse based in Winston-Salem. www.ifbsolutions.org

Luxexcel is the only company in the world with technology which can 3D print custom ophthalmic lenses. The company has optimized its 3D printing technology for prescription lenses allowing the ability to create customized ophthalmic products and to provide a prescription for smart eyeglasses. Along with eliminating operational inefficiencies and providing an eco-friendly solution. www.luxexcel.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allyson Pittman Gattin
501.590.7657

LITTLE ROCK (Feb. 28, 2019) – IFB Solutions Little Rock, formerly known as Arkansas Lighthouse for the Blind, announced that Curtis Chase has been promoted to director of operations for the Little Rock facility of the nation’s largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired.

As director of operations, Chase will be responsible for running the Little Rock facility. He will oversee a staff of 140, with 75% being blind or visually impaired, in all manufacturing functions to produce production lines including paper products and textiles.

“Curtis has dedicated nearly 19 years with the company and has a tremendous amount of operational experience,” said president and CEO David Horton. “Over the past four years since IFB Solutions acquired Arkansas Lighthouse for the Blind, Curtis has served the organization through periods of change and growth. He represents the values of the organization and has a passion for creating more jobs for people who are blind.”

Chase joined Arkansas Lighthouse for the Blind as plant engineer in 2000. In his nearly 19 years with the organization, he has held multiple positions. Most recently, he served as production manager where he oversaw engineering guides of workstation layouts, and the creation of special guides and fixtures to adapt sewing and cutting equipment making it efficient and safe for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Contact
Nicole Ducouer, IFB Solutions Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Programs
336-685-2393 | nducouer@ifbsolutions.org

 

IFB Solutions EARNS 13^TH NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH AWARD

ASHEVILLE, NC (February 20, 2019) – Local nonprofit IFB Solutions was honored with the 2018 Employment Growth Award for its efforts to increase employment retention, growth and upward mobility for people who are blind. This is IFB’s 13^th award, which is presented by National Industries for the Blind (NIB) to recognize agencies who are increasing employment and economic opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.

In 2018, IFB added 63 jobs for people who are blind, and promoted eight individuals from direct labor to indirect labor positions. The Asheville facility hired 10 of those employees. Across its three locations in Asheville, N.C., Winston-Salem, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., IFB employs nearly 500 people who are blind or visually impaired making it the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the country.

“IFB Solutions plays a vital role in drawing people to this area,” said David Horton, IFB Solutions President and CEO. “Many of our 63 new hires were individuals who relocated to Winston-Salem because they could not find jobs in their own communities. And for nearly one-third of our total workforce, IFB is their first job opportunity. We cannot emphasize enough the importance that these jobs play in changing the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired.”

Jake Padalino, Supervisor, Poncho Line, was hired in the Asheville facility in 2017. Padalino is legally blind, the result of a genetic condition. He’s an avid outdoor person who paddleboards and enjoys whitewater rafting. He was initially hired in Asheville to work in the plant’s sewing department making Extreme Weather Outer Layer and poncho garments for the military. Not long after he was promoted to supervisor through the Upward Mobility program.

“Working at IFB has been a life changing experience for me. As a legally blind person I have always experienced some level of discrimination in the workplace. IFB has provided an opportunity for meaningful employment in a non-discriminatory environment with competitive compensation and excellent benefits, as well as avenues for promotion. When I was promoted to supervisor I was able to discontinue all government assistance and begin providing a comfortable living for myself,” said Padalino.

According to NIB, 70 percent of working-age Americans who are blind are not employed. The success of agencies like IFB Solutions in creating and sustaining employment opportunities for people who are blind is key to changing this statistic.

“IFB Solutions is doing an outstanding job of creating U.S.-based career opportunities for people who are blind,” said NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch. “This is a great example of the unlimited capabilities of people who are blind working across the country.”

IFB Solutions’ local footprint in Asheville includes large-scale manufacturing operations and a Community Low Vision Center.

 

About IFB Solutions (IFB)

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to more than 40 office supply stores and optical centers across the country. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible the Community Low Vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark., and Tracy’s Little Red Schoolhouse based in Winston-Salem. www.ifbsolutions.org