WINSTON-SALEM INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND INC
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Mission Statement
Mission: “To provide opportunities for persons who are blind or visually impaired in need of training, employment and services. We believe that all persons who are blind or visually impaired have the right to succeed in every area of life.”
About This Cause
IFB Solutions (trade name of Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, Inc.) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which exists to create employment, training, and services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Our vision statement is “to be America’s leader in building life-changing opportunities for people who are blind.” This mission influences every aspect of IFB Solutions’ operations - from customized, state-of-the-artwork environments and training programs to employee compensation and benefits. Today, IFB Solutions is the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the country with over 400 employees with visual disabilities and almost 800 employees across all locations. At least 75% of our direct labor workforce are individuals who are blind or visually impaired. They produce thousands of products for government and commercial markets in our manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem and Asheville, NC, and Little Rock, AR. With employees at Base Supply Centers throughout the US, IFB Solutions has over 20 locations with headquarters in Winston-Salem. Statistically, seven out of ten individuals who are blind are not employed, and there are disproportionately more people with a visual impairment living in the South. Approximately ⅓ of our employees who are blind have never had a job before. Because of limited employment opportunities in communities throughout the USA, 58% of our employees who are blind relocated to take a job with IFB Solutions. The majority of our direct labor employees fall within the low to moderate income categories, and a paycheck from IFB is critical for them and their families. We offer not only employment and training opportunities for individuals who are blind, but also a wide range of services to local communities, where we operate our plants. Our Community Low Vision Centers (CLVC) in Winston-Salem, Asheville, NC and Little Rock, AR have been able to reach thousands of individuals with low vision or blindness of all ages and change their lives by ensuring training and by providing assistive technologies necessary to maximize their remaining vision. People with low vision visit our centers or mobile low vision facility to receive exams from specialized low vision physicians. These specialists evaluate and recommend specific technology. Our clients then work with low vision associates who also have low vision, so they understand the needs and opportunities. All three of our centers provide the latest technology and free training on all products. The Focus on Literacy (FOL) program meets the needs of school-age children for whom assistive technology was only available in the classroom setting – now these students with visual disabilities are able to study independently with the assistive technologies we provide. IFB Solutions Programs focus on developing independence in children or adults with vision loss. We provide computer and internet literacy training (on site and remotely), and support recreational clubs and gatherings, arts and crafts classes, and sports offerings to our employees and the wider community. Our Tracy’s Little Red Schoolhouse (TLRS) in Winston-Salem opened its doors to the community in May 2012. The center is a one-stop location for all individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The Schoolhouse is also home for all Student Enrichment Experience (S.E.E.) activities, including our S.E.E. Afterschool program and S.E.E. Summer Camps. The S.E.E. after school programs and summer camps for children with visual impairments bridge a gap in services for those who are blind in the local community, while also changing lives and improving independence and self-confidence for up to 100 children across North Carolina every year. If not for our programs, these students would not have access to any enrichment activities. Currently, IFB Solutions has over seven hundred full-time employees and almost 100 volunteers, who help us with different programs that we have during the year.