[NFB-Science] FW: Opportunity to obtain free Monarch

[Nathanael T. Wales]

Fellow Listers:

 

The American Printing House for the Blind has received a grant to pilot a
number of working blind professionals using the new and potentially
revolutionary Monarch, which is refreshable and allows for tactile graphics
and multi-line Braille. I received the following announcement because I
participate in a longitudinal research study, ultimately through my
involvement in the National Federation of the Blind. John Miller and I
believe that the Monarch could well be a revolutionary product and that many
of us on this list should learn more and apply to be in the pilot project.
Please see below.

 

Best,

Nathanael Wales

 

 

--

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
<https://www.aph.org/meet-monarch/rise/> Monarch RISE: Resources for
Inclusion, Skills, and Employment. This project seeks to assess the impact
of  <https://www.aph.org/meet-monarch/> 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:  <https://aph.zoom.us/meeting/register/RoZKq0z_RDGcQYlCL5p6kw>
January 29, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, Eastern Time Zone

 

Session 2:  <https://aph.zoom.us/meeting/register/a_AxJm2sRTC4TRGxAbQGnA>
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  <mailto:RISE at aph.org>
RISE at 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

 

The contents of this email and advertised virtual information session were
developed under a grant number H21F240052 from the Department of Education.
However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the
Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the
Federal Government. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1221e-3 and 3474) 100% of the
total costs of APH’s DIF-F project will be financed by the $10 million
grant. No percentage of the total costs of the project will be financed by
non-governmental sources. 

 


­­­APH_

American Printing House

1839 Frankfort Avenue • Louisville, KY 40206

Website: aph.org

 

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