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

Thu Apr 6 02:03:18 UTC 2023

Thank you.  I think this will help clients at the Conklin Davis Center. 

Ryan Mann
Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist
rmann0581 at gmail.com
386-383-5175

> On Apr 5, 2023, at 8:40 PM, Kaye Baker via NFBF-L <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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
> http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=642dcb9c0a764594a
> 01fa8b75b83a7a7&url=https%3a%2f%2ffinance.yahoo.com%2fnews%2fmaximus-ifb-sol
> utions-partner-program-170000234.html&c=14034392519169443148&mkt=en-us
> 
> 
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