[NFBF-L] Maximus and IFB Solutions Partner on New Program to Hire Blind and Visually Impaired for Full-Time Contact

[Kaye Baker]

Visually impaired Accessible technology - BingNews - Wednesday, April 5,
2023 at 3:27 PM Maximus and IFB Solutions Partner on New Program to Hire
Blind and Visually Impaired for Full-Time Contact Center Work Employment and
Training Program Launched in Texas Will Expand Nationally in 2023 TYSONS,
Va., April 05, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Maximus, a leading employer and
provider of government services worldwide, and IFB Solutions, a non-profit
organization that provides employment, training, and services for people who
are blind or visually impaired, today announced the successful launch of a
new joint program that integrates employees who are blind or visually
impaired into the workforce. Seventy percent of working-age adults who are
blind or visually impaired face sustained periods of unemployment throughout
their lifetimes. This program will help address that challenge through an
inclusive workplace that supports the needs and experiences of our
sight-impaired colleagues.
"We value individual differences and strive to provide a work setting and
experience where all employees can thrive," said Michelle Link, Chief Human
Resources Officer, Maximus. "For several years, Maximus has been focused on
capacity-building opportunities, such as this partnership with IFB
Solutions, to expand our potential pool of new employees and help us build
an effective and inclusive workforce. Thanks to the perseverance of many,
advances in technology, and an experienced partner in IFB Solutions, we've
built an employment and training program aimed specifically at those who are
blind and visually impaired. We're excited to welcome these new employees to
the Maximus team."
Six people completed the initial pilot training in Texas and are now
supporting Maximus as Customer Service Representatives on contracts that
deliver government services and share information with the general public.
As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB
Solutions leveraged its experience to create a targeted training program
with Maximus for this cohort of employees. The training program lasted six
weeks and was managed jointly by IFB Solutions and the Maximus Texas Project
Team. The preparations focused on developing the skills needed for the
employees to meet the job requirements, with an emphasis on learning the
unique technologies developed to assist them.
"People are at the center of everything we do, as our mission is to empower
people who are blind," said Shannon Satterfield, Director of Professional
Services, IFB Solutions. "Maximus has shown itself as a leader in this area
by working with us to create this new program that provides the empowerment
of employment to people who deserve it. We are so proud of every person who
completed the training, as they persevered through early challenges to
accomplish something that would have been impossible only a few years ago."
Building on the success of the first class of employees, Maximus and IFB
Solutions are training a second cohort of individuals and plan to expand the
pilot program across the country in 2023. Employees from the inaugural class
joined the second session to share their experiences, provide tips and
encouragement, and mentor their peers.
The employees who successfully completed the initial training and are now
Customer Service Representatives include:
. 
Maggie V.: "Before the opportunity to work for IFB Solutions in partnership
with Maximus, I had no prior call center experience. But because of the
accessible training, I've learned so much in so little time. This
opportunity has been a life-changing experience for my kids and I, and it
has allowed me to regain my confidence."
. 
Mary A.: "My passion is making sure that those who are visually impaired can
live the best life possible. This program has given me a chance to do that,
and it's a welcome opportunity for this community."
. 
Elias T.: "It brings me joy and satisfaction to serve and provide clients
with the information they need. I appreciate the work that Maximus and IFB
Solutions put into the training to give me a new job and a new future."
. 
Ruben R.: "This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with Maximus means the world
to me. It is both a joy and honor to be a part of a team as unique as mine."
About Maximus
As a leading strategic partner to governments across the globe, Maximus
helps improve the delivery of public services amid complex technology,
health, economic, environmental, and social challenges. With a deep
understanding of program service delivery, acute insights that achieve
operational excellence, and an extensive awareness of the needs of the
people being served, our employees advance the critical missions of our
partners. Maximus delivers innovative business process management, impactful
consulting services, and technology solutions that provide improved outcomes
for the public and higher levels of productivity and efficiency of
government-sponsored programs. For more information, visit maximus.com.
About IFB Solutions
IFB Solutions is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 as
Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind. Today, IFB strives to be America's
leader in building life-changing opportunities for people who are blind
through its mission of creating employment opportunities for this critically
underemployed population. IFB's guiding principles focus on creating
upwardly mobile career paths, building on its existing textile operations to
develop integrated and technical employment opportunities, and maintaining a
strong foundation of packaging and assembly operations as workforce entry
points. IFB's operational footprint includes large-scale manufacturing, Base
Supply Center retail and online stores, Workforce Services staffing
division, and its Pinnacle Mercantile Amazon storefront. IFB Solutions also
provides essential job training for employees and community outreach through
its Community Low Vision Centers and programming for children who are blind.
ifbsolutions.org View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230405005571/en/
Contacts
Media & Public Relations
Eileen Cassidy Rivera, media at maximus.com
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