The latest news & notes from World Services for the Blind

World Services for the Blind now offers online study for select career-training programs, including Assistive Technology Instructor, Call Center Specialist, Certified Administrative Assistant, Certified Credit Counselor and Microsoft Office Specialist.

The programs are all open enrollment, which means they can be joined at any time. Once a program has been chosen, potential clients and their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will work with WSB staff to answer any questions the client may have to ensure the program is a good fit.

  How Does it Work?  

The enrollment process for online programs is as follows:

Fill out an application from wsblind.org and clearly indicate your interest in an online training programs.  

Please note all program skill prerequisites and necessary equipment, and discuss with your VRC.  

You will be contacted by a representative of our Assistive Technology department for an equipment check, and an assistive technology skills pre-assessment.  

You will receive the results and any further recommendations concerning that assessment in a minimum of five business days by email.  

If there are skill deficits, a recommendation for further assistive technology training will be submitted to you and your VRC.  

If there are no difficulties, you and your VRC will discuss an official online start date for your training.

  Which Programs are Available Online?  

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTOR The nine-month Assistive Technology Instructor (ATI) program is designed to prepare a graduate to work as an academic instructor of assistive technology qualified to instruct customers in learning the proper use of assistive technology, Microsoft Office, Windows operating systems and Apple iOS at a rehabilitation facility; as a sales representative for an assistive technology vendor; or to develop his/her own independent consultant company for assistive technology analysis, instruction, training and equipment recommendations, or long distance/in-house problem solving or tech support assistance.

CALL CENTER SPECIALIST Offering impeccable customer service is critical for any organization or company hoping to create and maintain a loyal customer base. World Services for the Blind’s eight-week Call Center Specialist training program imparts a vast skill set upon its participants so that, upon graduation, they are prepared to take on the role of call center representative with confidence. Organized into 11 components, the eight-week program covers the following topics: customer service, soft skills, communication, relationship building, sales and marketing, difficult customers, operations, human resources, and Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel programs.

CERTIFIED ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT The Certified Administrative Assistants (CAA) certification exam prepares individuals for a career as an administrative assistant/secretary across a wide range of professional companies. Attaining national certification displays that individuals have studied and mastered the necessary skills to be a recognized professional in the field of administrative assistants. The CAA holds its own as a standalone certification, and can be paired with other programs such as MOS or our customer service/call center training.

CERTIFIED CREDIT COUNSELOR Credit counseling is a huge industry with significant opportunities for employment. With the proper training and instruction, clients will learn the ins and outs of becoming credit counselors. The training and instruction will provide them with the tools to educate and guide others looking to improve their credit and financial situations. The curriculum explores credit cards, debt collection, mortgage and small business lending, housing issues, retirement income options, student financial aid, the psychology of spending and options for resolving debt. Clients will earn three certifications, with the opportunity to earn two additional certifications, for a total of five certifications upon completion of the program. The first three certifications will take approximately 12 weeks to earn, and include credit counseling, financial counseling and debt settlement certifications. The additional two certifications are housing counseling and student loan counseling, which will add 12 additional weeks of classroom training.   MICROSOFT OFFICE SPECIALIST The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) program is designed to effectively prepare adults who are blind or visually impaired to successfully earn certifications for the Microsoft Office applications. The program prepares a client to function in an office environment or as a first-level application support specialist. Computer training is accomplished with the use of assistive technology such as screen-reading programs and magnification programs, depending on the individual’s needs.  

The 13-week Taxpayer Service Representative (TSR) program is designed to prepare a person to assist taxpayers with filing information at the Taxpayer Service Division of the IRS. The program is scheduled for February 13-May 12, 2017, with the last day to begin evaluations January 9, 2017. 

The curriculum includes instruction in IRS tax law, accounts, procedures and forms. The client learns to use a personal computer to quickly and effectively access taxpayer information in the IRS database while assisting the taxpayer on the telephone. The client is also taught telephone etiquette to assist taxpayers with questions over the telephone. The computer equipment and assistive technology used in the classroom includes state-of-the-art adaptive systems utilizing JAWS and ZoomText, as well as refreshable Braille displays. Hiring cities include: Cleveland, Indianapolis, Fresno, Portland, Seattle, St. Louis, Andover, Baltimore, Richmond, Buffalo, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Franklin/Nashville and Memphis.

PREREQUISITES

Print reading speed of 100 wpm with 75% comprehension and proficiency with ZoomText, or Braille reading speed of 60 wpm with 75% comprehension and proficiency with JAWS and the Focus 80 Blue Braille display

90% accuracy on a math test (using a calculator)

12th-grade spelling level, and good written communication skills

Keyboarding speed of 30 wpm

Ability to work well under pressure

Strong logical reasoning ability

Emotional maturity

Good independent living and orientation and mobility skills

Ability to work well with others

Thursday, October 27, was the 16th annual Vision Award held by the World Services for the Blind Foundation. This year the Foundation honored Dr. Joel E. Anderson, retired chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. WSB and UALR have been neighbors for decades, and we remain grateful for the friendship and partnerships forged between the two organizations over the years.

October is recognized as Cyber Security Awareness Month, so what better way to start a weekly Tech Tuesday piece than with a relevant topic that we can all benefit from?

No, this is not an article about the finer points of fly reels and tackle to bring along to catch sea bass. Phishing is a term used to describe a type of typically email-borne attack that affects hundreds of millions of people each year. Here’s the description Wikipedia gives for phishing:

“Phishing is the attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and sometimes, indirectly, money), often for malicious reasons, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.”

Allow me to translate that to English. Phishing is when someone tries to obtain personal information from you by posing as a legitimate source. Phishing can take place over any electronic medium, but email is primarily where the bulk of phishing attacks originate. So, how can you identify a phishing email? Most phishing emails have a few things in common:

Lack of Personal Info

Most phishing emails are written to be widely applicable, so they will almost never include any personal information like names, addresses, phone numbers, salutations or greetings, etc.  Here’s an example of what I mean:

            “Hello sir or madam,              Your password has expired. Please click here to change it.

             Thank you,              Customer Support.”

Notice how that message has zero personal information? The sender and recipient could be anyone, and it would still be appropriate.

They Need You to Act

Phishing emails need you to perform some action in order for them to work. This could be any of the following:

·       Going to a webpage

·       Responding with personal information

·       Downloading a file

·       Sending money

This is the whole point of phishing: The email is the bait, and they want you to bite. Once you provide that information, you’re on the hook.

The Source Does Not Matter!

This is one of the hardest things to come to terms with. Just because an email looks like it is from a particular sender, does not mean it came from them. The “From” address in an email can be forged by an attacker who knows what they are doing.

A Sense of Urgency or Danger

For most scams to work, they need a way to coerce people into not thinking about a situation rationally. This is done with very high stakes or consequences, or by imposing a sense of urgency. Take the short email we looked at above, but let’s modify it a bit to highlight exactly what I mean:

             “Hello sir or madam,

Due to a recent security breach, your password may have been stolen. This could lead to identity theft, credit card fraud or your personal information being available to cyber criminals. We strongly urge you for your own safety to click here to change your password.

             Thank you,

             Customer Support.”

The above has it all! A time limit, impending consequences if you don’t comply with their request, and an appeal to one of the most basic human emotions: fear. The intention of phishing emails like this is to get you to panic and buy into the scam BEFORE you have a chance to rationally evaluate the situation.

It’s a dangerous world out there!

Yes, it is. However, with the right tools and knowledge, you can protect yourself, and you don’t even need a tinfoil hat to do it. Here are some best practices to follow if you suspect an email is a phishing email:

1. Don’t panic! If Douglas Adams taught us anything, it’s that whales can’t fly, and not to panic.  If it is a phishing email, they want you to panic and act quickly rather than logically.

2. Check the links. If the email wants you to open an attachment or respond to the email with some information, proceed to step 3. Most phishing emails will want you to click a link. Using JAWS makes this a bit tricky, but here’s how:

Locate the link, and use your applications key to open the right-click menu. If you don’t use JAWS, you can just right-click as normal.

Use your arrow keys to move down to an option that is something similar to “Copy link location.”  Other possibilities are “Copy URL,” or simply “Copy link.”  This option varies based on what program you are using to read the email.  This copies the web page you will be taken to should you open the link.

Open a text document and paste in the link. Check if the link is actually taking you to where it says it is. If the email is from PayPal, and the link goes to a website you have never heard of, it’s a big red flag it could be a phishing email.

3. Contact the sender. Avoid using the contact information provided in the email. If the email is from Amazon, go find the Amazon customer service number on their website, and speak with someone about the email you have received.

The above is but a primer on the topic of phishing. The best defense against phishing emails, in the end, is critical thinking. Nothing sent via email is going to demand immediate attention: that’s what phone calls are for. And yes, phishing can take place over the phone, too. If ever you still have doubts about an email, err on the side of caution. For further reading...

What is Phishing?

Phishing Examples

Cyber Security Basics

The State of World Services for the Blind

World Services for the Blind was founded by Roy Kumpe in 1947 to serve blind or visually impaired people who needed to learn independent living skills or job training skills tailored to the special requirements of their individual visual impairments. The goal of WSB then, as it is today, is to empower blind or visually impaired adults to achieve sustainable independence through life skills, career training, and community access.

For 67 years, World Services for the Blind continued to serve adults with blindness and low vision, with the ups and downs that any nonprofit organization faces. However, 2014 was a particularly difficult year, with several transitions in leadership and difficulty keeping a high census of clients. Around Thanksgiving that year, there were several layoffs, and WSB closed their doors in December of 2014, unsure of whether they would be opening again in 2015. It seemed as though after nearly 70 years of serving the blind and low vision community in the United States and 58 other countries around the world, we would have to permanently shut our doors due to lack of funding and clientele.

However, WSB managed to open once more. With a census in the teens and a small staff, WSB fought its way uphill into 2015. For World Services for the Blind, 2015 was a year of massive transition. We gained many new and passionate staff members, and now a third of our total staff are WSB alumni. With a greater focus on marketing and modernizing our programs for the needs of today, in addition to the transition of staff members, WSB managed to have a census of nearly 40 by June. In August, Sharon Giovinazzo joined our team as our new president and CEO, which only served to strengthen WSB even more in connecting with our community, as she has many contacts in the Lions club and blind community.

We now have a team that is fully equipped and passionate about moving forward into 2016, with the same great mission that we have always had at WSB: to empower adults who are blind or visually impaired in the United States and around the world to achieve sustainable independence.

With the larger number of students and an invested staff, we were able to have more community events for the students, such as a Halloween party, and have made much more of an effort to help them feel like when they are at WSB, they aren’t just here to fly through a program and leave, but they are part of a community and building relationships.

In February, we expect our census to rise to nearly 50, which is a first in a long while for WSB. This is largely due to the growth that we experienced as an organization in 2015. It was a huge uphill climb, and it will continue to be, but we go into 2016 hopeful and knowing that things will only continue to get better for World Services for the Blind, and that we will continue to expand our reach to the blind and low vision community so that we can lower the unemployment rates for blind adults across the globe. We thank you, our supporters, for being such a huge part of our trying but great 2015, and we ask that you continue to support us in our endeavors in 2016.

Candlelight Vigil for Fallen Hero, Stepson of WSB Staff Member

Friday morning, local firefighter Ronald Jason Adams was shot and killed while trying to aid a patient having a seizure. He was the stepson of our incredibly helpful and kind maintenance staff member, Gary Farley. Tonight (Monday the 25th), there will be a candlelight vigil in his honor at the capitol at 6:30, and Gary states that all who wish to come and pay respects are welcome. We extend Gary and the rest of Mr. Adams’s family our deepest condolences.

Happy Birthday to one of our Students and one of our Staff Members!

The staff at The Insider wishes both Case Manager, Terry Stevenson, and client DeAndre Cleveland, a very happy birthday today! We hope you have a spectacular day surrounded by friends!

Terry Stevenson, Case Manager

DeAndre Cleveland, Client

WSB Job Opportunity!

Position available: World Services for the Blind Test Reader

Start date: As soon as possible

Hours: as needed (2 hours per test)

Pay rate: $50 per test

Requirements for reader:

Ability to read aloud clearly, at a normal pace and with good pronunciation.

Familiarity with the words, terms, symbols or signs that are specific to the test content (Microsoft Office).

Ability to follow instructions to read, verbatim, only the words in the test book or on the screen, without changing or adding words or assisting the test taker in selecting a response.

Willingness to be patient and to understand that the test taker may need many test questions repeated several times.

Ability to work with the test taker comfortably and compatibly without creating unnecessary pressure or unrealistic expectations.

For more information, contact Rachel Buchanan at [email protected] or (501) 664-7100, ext. 272.

Want to know more about what’s going on at World Services for the Blind?

Website: wsblind.org

Facebook: facebook.com/worldservicesfortheblind

Twitter: @wsb1947

Tumblr: tumblr.com/worldservicesfortheblind

Do you have an idea for a story or special for our weekly newsletter, or just general feedback? If so, here’s how to contact us:

Email: [email protected]

World Services for the Blind is currently accepting applications for the Assistive Technology Instructor (ATI) program. Candidates are encouraged to apply now to secure a seat in this immersive, hands-on program and begin the evaluation process.

The ATI program is a nine-month program designed to prepare candidates to work as an instructor of assistive technology at a rehabilitation facility, as a sales representative for an assistive technology vendor, or as an independent consultant for AT analysis, instruction or problem solving. The curriculum includes instruction in all types of adaptive equipment, installation of hardware and software, instruction to find solutions to computer equipment problems, production of training manuals in accessible formats, and professional teaching skills.

In addition to JAWS certification, the ATI program also offers training in the Microsoft Office Suite with certifications in Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. The AT taught in the classroom includes screen magnification, speech output systems, refreshable Braille displays, portable note-taking devices, Braille printers, scanners, closed circuit televisions for print magnification and accessible internet.

Do you have 4 years of verifiable customer service or call center experience, or 4 years of college? Do you want a secure career, with good pay and excellent benefits? Are you considered low vision or visually impaired with visual acuity of 20/70 or poorer, or a total field loss of 140 degrees?  If you answered yes to these questions, the Service Center Collection Representative (SCCR) training program could be the best option for furthering your career path. The best part about this training is candidates who are accepted into, and successfully complete, the program are guaranteed a job with the IRS. The hiring cities available are:  Andover, Atlanta, Memphis, Fresno, Austin, Kansas City, and Ogden.

The SCCR program is open to adults who have usable vision (due to having to read handwritten forms). If you are able to use ZoomText at 4X or less, and have a desire to begin a stable career with the federal government, don’t hesitate in submitting your application.

The 12-week SCCR program is scheduled to begin in June 2016. All candidates are required to complete a 30-day skills evaluation in order to demonstrate the required skill levels in order to qualify for an IRS interview.  or The latest date to begin evaluation is May 9, 2016.

The requirements for the SCCR program are:

Usable vision, with visual impairment of 20/70 or poorer with best correction, or a total field loss of 140 degrees

ZoomText use at 4X or less

The ability to read print at 100 wpm with 75% comprehension when reading technical materials

Keyboarding speed of 30 WPM

90% accuracy on a math test (using a calculator)

12th grade spelling level

Good independent living and travel skills

Strong logical reasoning ability

Good communication skills

Mature attitude with ability to work under pressure

Ability to work well with others

World Services for the Blind Receives Generous Donation from Lions Club

         On the evening of Wednesday, January 6, 2016, WSB CEO Sharon Giovinazzo and staff member Shelly Gentry attended a meeting of the Hot Springs Village Evening Lions Club. The club made a very generous donation to World Services for the Blind, which will help us continue to carry out our mission of helping individuals with blindness and low vision to achieve sustainable independence. From the staff and clients at WSB, thank you all very much, Hot Springs Village Evening Lions Club!  

Kroger Community Rewards Update

                  Speaking of donations, if you and your family and friends are signed up online to donate to WSB just by shopping at your local Kroger through Kroger Community Rewards, Kroger requires that you re-sign up for your chosen nonprofit organization (NPO). It’s quick and easy to do, and the instructions are listed below. However, if you are not already signed up to donate to WSB through Kroger Community Rewards, now is the perfect time to do so! For instructions, please visit : http://wsblind.org/donate.html.

Instructions to re-sign up:

* Go to Kroger.com/communityrewards

* Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.

* Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.

* Update or confirm your information.

* Enter NPO number (11683) or name of organization (World Services for the Blind), select organization from list and click on confirm.

* To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.

Thank you and happy shopping/fundraising!

 WSB Wants to Stay Connected with Our Alumni!

           Are you a WSB alumnus? If so, we want to hear from you! Message us your contact info through either The Insider’s contact info, or the WSB or WSB Alumni Facebook pages. We want you to know everything that’s going on with us, and alert you to the various ways you can become and stay involved!

           Also, if you are an alumnus of any of our programs, we would love for you to send us some information about life since WSB and what you’re doing career-wise now! We may even put it in the newsletter!

WSB Menu for this Week

Monday, January 11, 2016

Breakfast: Fruit, cold cereal, yogurt, scrambled or boiled eggs, bacon, cream of wheat, bagels

Lunch: Red beans and rice, muffuletta sandwich, sautéed squash w/ onion and potato, salad/soup bar, dessert

Dinner: Grilled chicken fettucini (topped with tomato, green onions), corn on the cob, broccoli, deli sandwich bar, salad bar, breadstick, dessert

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Breakfast: Fruit, cold cereal, yogurt, scrambled or boiled eggs, ham, grits, waffles

Lunch: Sweet and spicy wings, fench fries, Brussels sprouts, salad/soup bar, dessert

Dinner: Tuna casserole, seasoned cauliflower, rolls, dessert

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Breakfast: Fruit, cold cereal, yogurt, bacon or sausage, scrambled or boiled eggs, biscuits and gravy, canned fruit

Lunch: Chicken livers, hot roast beef on onion bun, mashed potatoes, green beans with red pepper, salad/soup bar, dessert

Dinner: Ribettes, white rice, green peas, rolls, salad bar, dessert

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Breakfast: Fruit, cold cereal, yogurt, scrambled or boiled eggs, potatoes with onions and peppers, sausage, oatmeal, toast

Lunch: Fried chicken, turkey club, scalloped potatoes, California mixed vegetables, salad/soup bar, dessert

Dinner: Spaghetti sauce with mac and beef casserole, whole kernel corn, tossed salad with Italian dressing, breadsticks, dessert

Friday, January 15, 2016

Breakfast: Fruit, cold cereal, yogurt, scrambled or boiled eggs, sausage, cream of wheat, English muffins

Lunch: Nachos bar, potato bar, homemade chili, broccoli, salad bar, dessert

Dinner: Philly fried steak w/ gravy, onion rings, mixed vegetables, salad bar, dessert, rolls

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Breakfast: Fruit, cold cereal, yogurt, eggs to order, sausage/bacon, grits, toast

Lunch: Hot dog on bun w/chopped onion and melted cheese, potato wedges, Brussels sprouts, mini salad bar, dessert

Dinner: Swedish meatballs, white rice, green beans, rolls, mini salad bar, dessert

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Breakfast: Fruit, cold cereal, yogurt, eggs to order, pancakes, bacon, toast

Lunch: Baked barbecue chicken, baked beans , potato salad, mini salad bar, dessert

Dinner: Fish sticks, potatoes au gratin, stewed tomatoes, rolls, mini salad bar

Want to know more about what’s going on at World Services for the Blind?

Website: wsblind.org

Facebook: facebook.com/worldservicesfortheblind

Twitter: @wsb1947

Tumblr: tumblr.com/worldservicesfortheblind

Do you have an idea for a story or special for our weekly newsletter, or just general feedback? If so, here’s how to contact us:

Email: [email protected]

WSB is now accepting applications for our upcoming Call Center Specialist (CCS) program, scheduled to begin on March 28th! The two-month CCS program not only trains clients to work in any fast-paced call center setting, but now offers all graduates of the program the opportunity to participate in 90 days of on-the-job training in WSB's Call Center!

In reviewing industry trends, we have found there is a significant need for trained customer service professionals who become the voice of a company.  However, most employers prefer candidates with practical hands-on experience.  Because of this, WSB has designed a second component to our CCS program, allowing for our clients to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities while putting theory to the test.  All graduates of the CCS program will be offered the opportunity to participate in 90 days of on-the-job training in WSB's Call Center.  Clients will place calls to professionals, communicate subject matter, and document results.  In addition to the experience gained and reflected on their resume, they will also be able to continue to conduct meaningful job searches with WSB staff's assistance, and utilize resources available on campus.

The CCS programs offers client a chance to learn important skills and techniques such as soft skills, working with difficult customers, sales and marketing techniques, proper phone etiquette, as well as use of software to accomplish sales.  The career opportunities for Call Center Specialists range from sales, assisting customers to correct orders, reservations, car rentals, vacation planning, cruises, government filing, and more.  Clients interested in a career in phone sales or customer service will find the CCS training and skills learned and perfected in the classroom invaluable.

The deadline to begin evaluation for the CCS program is February 29th, so submit your application today! Don't hesitate, as this is a chance to begin your career as a Call Center Specialist in a matter of only a few short months!