The IFB Beat 6-2 Edition

A Message from the Editor

Hello IFB Team! Welcome to this week’s edition of The IFB Beat! We’re spotlighting Joel Deshaies from Winston-Salem, whose story reminds us how saying “yes” can lead to great opportunities. Our S.E.E. students also impressed us with teamwork and confidence on the low ropes course. Be sure to check out the CLVC item of the week, job openings, and details on the upcoming WSTA Accessible Festival 2025. Scholarship applications for the Tina Bess and Daniel J. Boucher are due by Friday, June 6. Thank you for being part of this incredible community.

Quote of the Week:

“Character is less about what we do wrong and all about what we make right” – Navonne Johns

Thank you for strolling The IFB Beat. See you next week!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager
apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– Employee Spotlight: Joel Deshaies, Winston-Salem Facility
– Programs Update: S.E.E. Students at Miracle Heights Adventure of Crossnor
– Community Low Vision Center Updates

From Our Community

– WSTA Accessible Festival 2025

HR and Opportunities

– $50 Health Screening Benefit Reminder
– Reminder: The Tina Bess and Daniel J. Boucher Scholarship Information 2025-2026 Academic Year
– New Job Announcements

IFB Beat Phone Lines
Support Group Zoom Meeting Links
Archived Editions of The IFB Beat

Winston-Salem Facility General Assembly May 28

There will be a General Assembly meeting held on the manufacturing floor on Wednesday, May 28 at 3:15pm. We’re looking forward to presenting employee of the month awards for February, March, and April. we will have updates from HR and remarks from Dan Kelly, President, and CEO.

Supervisors, please be sure to shut down all equipment, fans and other things that contribute to noise on the manufacturing floor promptly at 3:15pm. If your workspace is not close to the central offices (outside Travis Guerra and Edward Sykes’ doors), please move closer to ensure you can hear. Any office administration working in the building, your presence will be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Winston-Salem Facility – Important Safety Notice

For the safety of our blind and low-vision employees, please keep all walkways clear of obstructions. Avoid stopping to talk or gathering in hallways and always travel on the correct side — which is the right.

Additional Safety Guidelines:

  • Cane Users: All white cane users are reminded to use proper cane techniques when traveling through the building to ensure safe and effective navigation.
  • All Employees: Please do not step over or jump over a person’s cane. This is not only disrespectful, but it also poses a serious safety hazard to both you and the cane user.
  • Guide Dogs: When encountering a guide dog and its handler, please remain still and allow them to navigate around you. The dog is trained to see you as an obstacle and will safely guide its owner around you.

If you see any potential hazards or obstructions, address them if possible. If not, notify others nearby and report the issue to your supervisor, PA, team lead, or Angela Jordan, Director of Compliance, Environmental Health, and Safety.

Your awareness and cooperation help create a safer, more accessible environment for everyone. Thank you for your continued support.

 

Employee Spotlight: Featuring Joel Deshaies, Winston-Salem Facility

Welcome to the Employee Spotlight! Each week, we celebrate the incredible individuals who make IFB thrive. This week, we’re excited to feature Joel Deshaies, Winston-Salem Facility.

Joel Deshaies

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in the New England area. I was born in Massachusetts and raised in New Hampshire. I moved to North Carolina in 2014.

Q: How long have you been with IFB, and what brought you to the organization?
A: I’ve been with IFB for around seven and a half years. I was connected through a partnership program in Buffalo, New York, and the rest is history.

Q: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
A: Outside of work, I love spending time with my son. He actually just celebrated his birthday!

Q: What’s your all-time favorite food or meal?
A: I love southern fried chicken—it’s something I didn’t get to enjoy as much up north!

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at IFB?
A: I enjoy having an indirect way of serving the country through IFB’s mission.

Q: What’s a quote or piece of advice you would give to a friend?
A: “Just say yes”—because you never know what opportunities might come your way!

Special thanks to Morgan Dugan, Employee Relations Specialist, for supporting these highlights.

Who knows? You might be next in the spotlight! Stay tuned, and thanks for reading.

 

IFB Programs Update: S.E.E. Students at Miracle Heights Adventure of Crossnor

Jacob, Tanner and Tyquan balancing on the thin wire with help

The S.E.E. kids practiced communication, problem solving, teamwork, and self confidence at the low ropes course at Miracle Heights Adventure of Crossnor in Winston-Salem. There was a giant seesaw to balance, ropes suspended by poles to walk across, rope spider webs to crawl through, and a jump rope to walk through while it was in the air. What a great experience for everyone.

Winston-Salem Facility Support Groups:

If you’re interested in attending a support group, please review the update here: https://ifbsolutions.org/the-ifb-beat-12-16-edition/#two-d

 

Community Low Vision Center Updates

CLVC Item of the Week:

Braille Ruler, Green

Braille Ruler, Plastic, 12-inch for $5.99. Measure in inches and centimeters by touch!

If you have questions or are interested in any of the weekly items, please contact your local CLVC for assistance.

 

From Our Community

Accessible Festival 2025

Submitted by the Winston-Salem Transit Authority 

You’re invited! Join the Winston-Salem Transit Authority for Accessible Festival 2025 on Friday, June 6, from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Event Center (formerly the Education Building), located at 2886 Shorefair Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27105.

Come enjoy a day filled with food, fun, games, and valuable resources as we celebrate accessibility, community, and inclusion alongside our incredible community partners.

Move Freely. Play Boldly. Belong Fully. We can’t wait to see you there!

 

HR & Opportunities

$50 Health Screening Benefit Reminder

Were you enrolled in Voluntary Accident or Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance for the 2024–2025 plan year? If so, you and any covered dependents may be eligible to receive $50 per person for completing an annual wellness physical.

To claim this benefit:

  • Complete the Guardian Wellness/Health Screening Benefit Claim Form
  • Be sure to check the box for “Routine/Annual Physicals” under the Wellness & Health Screenings section
  • Email the completed form to WellnessBenefits@glic.com

View form here.

 

The Tina Bess and Daniel J. Boucher Scholarship Information 2025-2026 Academic Year

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 told 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, 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 6, 2025. Supporting materials should be submitted to Brent Burkholder at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org in an encrypted format. 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

 

New Job Announcements

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

Utility Person – Winston-Salem Facility

Education and Work Experience

  • Two years’ sewing experience is required.
  • Working knowledge of computers is required.

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=139088&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=139089&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

Hand Cutter – Winston-Salem Facility

Education and Work Experience

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Prior cutting experience preferred

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=139352&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=139353&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

For more information, please contact a member of the recruitment team at careers@ifbsolutions.org.

IFB Beat Phone Lines

English line: 336-245-5691

Spanish line: 336-245-5663

 

Zoom Meeting Links

Support Groups Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/86167111929?pwd=G9vSBWcnTFrMHixqb19TpU7q8sQW1N.1

Meeting ID: 861 6711 1929

Passcode: 992614

One tap mobile

+13126266799,86167111929# US (Chicago)

+16465588656,86167111929# US (New York)

888 475 4499 US Toll-free

877 853 5257 US Toll-free

Meeting ID: 861 6711 1929