Research Opportunity: Help Assess the value of the Monarch as a tool for employment.

The following email was sent to us by Richard Rueda of the APH Connect Center. While this isn’t a paid research opportunity, this is an opportunity to help shape the future of assistive technology in the workplace.

Dear Blind Professional,

The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) received a significant federal grant from the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) to assess the value of the Monarch as a tool to support adults to prepare for or advance in employment. In September 2024, APH launched the Monarch, a multi-line braille and graphics tablet, initiating a long-sought revolution in electronic braille technology.

Ideal participants are blind professionals competitively employed in industries outside of blindness services. Participants will integrate the Monarch into their work, draft proposals for targeted improvements to the Monarch related to workplace tasks and provide guidance and mentorship to individuals transitioning to Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). All applicants must have a basic understanding of braille and proficiency in 6-key entry.

Please join us to learn more about the Monarch RISE: Resources for Inclusion, Skills, and Employment. This project seeks to assess the impact of the Monarch – an innovative braille/tactile graphics technology – in achieving and maintaining competitive integrated employment. Over the 5-year project, 250 Monarchs will be distributed cost-free to employment and educational professionals, individuals seeking competitive integrated employment, and blind professionals as coaches across the United States. Monarch recipients will be provided training on the use of the device. To provide more details about this initiative, we are hosting two virtual information sessions to accommodate your schedule.

These sessions will offer an overview of the program objectives, expectations of the Monarch recipients, and benefits for you, as well as an opportunity to ask questions and learn how to participate. Each link below sends you to a Zoom registration; feel free to share it with other blind professionals around the US. 

Session Options:

Session 1: January 29, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Eastern Time Zone

Session 2: January 30, 2:00 – 3:00 pm, Eastern Time Zone

APH is excited to partner with blind professionals to help demonstrate how this innovative braille/graphics technology can increase employment options and opportunities for individuals who are blind, especially those of transition age. And we believe this will be an excellent opportunity to support your own professional growth with a Monarch. We encourage you to attend one of these sessions to learn more. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at RISE@aph.org. We look forward to connecting with you and exploring how this endeavor can benefit you and blind individuals seeking competitive employment.

Best regards,

Leanne Grillot, Richard Rueda, Erin Sigmund, and Greg Stilson