Thank you, Jenny!
Are the choices at the bottom of Wing It app on the iPad accessible to a totally blind person such as file, view, fill, edit, tool, shape and style using voiceover?
I’ve been exploring KeyWord, and what I like most is how easy it is to get started while still offering enough structure to feel like a full word processor. As soon as you open a document you’re ready to type, and the navigation commands make it simple to move around by word, line, or paragraph. It feels familiar, especially if you have used other RBDs in the past, but also demonstrates an increase in efficiency in that you can access so much more of a document than a single line device offers.
For students and adult clients, I can see this being especially valuable when preparing for competitive integrated employment. Tasks like drafting reports, editing text, or filling out forms are such a big part of the modern workplace, and being able to handle those using multiline access builds both confidence and independence.
I think the biggest challenge, at least at first, is the learning curve with remembering commands and getting comfortable with formatting – especially if this user is new to formatting on a braille display - although I think the multiline display will make that learning curve even less. For those clients my approach would be to break it into small, practical steps—starting with something simple like creating and saving a short document, then layering in editing and formatting as confidence grows. That way clients get an early win, and each new step feels purposeful.
Overall, KeyWord stands out as a tool that’s about helping learners build real-world writing and communication skills they can carry into school, work, and daily life. I think first time RBD users whose only experience is with the Monarch will have long time RBD users saying things like “back in my day, we only had access to one line of braille at a time and sometimes it was only 20 cells long!” LOL!
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Hi Miriam,
Yes, they are accessible!
Jenny
I just carried a Monarch on an international trip to Australia, and used it to deliver an in-person presentation while I was there. I placed all of the cables and power adapters in a checked bag to keep the weight of the carry-on backpack containing the Monarch, a laptop and a phone under control.
If I were a student, I wouldn’t hesitate to take it to class (a Monarch and a phone wouldn’t be unduly heavy, at least for me). A comprehensive insurance policy would take care of the risk of loss or damage. Given the hardware cost, the insurance policy really does matter in my opinion.
Of course, as you suggest, other people might have a different set of constraints, but it all worked surprisingly well for me.
I noticed that KeyWord shows braille formatting indicators for headings and lists if you import a Microsoft Word-format document. I don’t know whether there’s a way to create, e.g., heading and list styles - probably not, as they aren’t covered in the documentation. This is where Markdown and other text-based systems become useful, though.
Hi Jason!
If you press Space + M for the Context Menu in an open document, then choose “Format Functions,” then “Paragraph Style,” then “Style, Normal,” you will find heading and list options.
I hope this is helpful!
Jenny
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Discussion 3: Evaluation of the Application
Professional Assessment and User Experience
For this discussion, I explored the word processing application, a widely used tool known for its popularity and accessibility. I found the interface to be intuitive, with logical menu structures and clearly organized options under each menu. I particularly appreciate the ability to access available functions through the context menu, as well as the inclusion of shortcut keys within these menus. Frequent exposure to these commands reinforces familiarity and enhances workflow efficiency.
The application enables users to produce professional-looking documents by utilizing various formatting features. I was especially impressed with the preview functionality, which allows users to verify formatting before finalizing their work, ensuring accuracy and a polished appearance.
Additionally, the integrated spell check feature is highly beneficial. However, I did not find a grammar check tool, which I believe is essential for creating truly professional documents. Incorporating grammar checking would be a valuable enhancement for future versions.
I also tested the application’s support for Grade 2 Braille by entering full words, and I was pleased to see that the Monarch device correctly displayed the appropriate contractions.
While the application is effective for many basic tasks, it currently does not offer the same level of robustness as programs like Microsoft Word. For example, it lacks support for headings, tables, bullet points, images, and hyperlinks. However, I am optimistic that these features can be introduced as the device continues to evolve and improve.
In summary, this word processing application offers a user-friendly experience and several valuable features that make people with visual limitations more independent in completing writing either for school or for work.
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Hi Karla,
Thank you for your wonderful post!
I just wanted to let you know that the Monarch has some support for headings, lists, and bullet points, and will soon have a cropped mode that will support table alignment. For formatting, if you press Space + M for the Context Menu in an open document, then choose “Format Functions,” then “Paragraph Style,” then “Style, Normal,” you will find heading and list options.
Cheers to you!
Jenny
Thanks for your response, this is great! I will take a look!
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Thank you. As you note, it’s a limited list of paragraph styles. Those in higher education will need much more in writing their essays (e.g., footnotes, endnotes, tables, figures, citations and bibliographies). However, they’re likely to use the Monarch in terminal mode for this purpose anyway, instead of relying on the internal word processing capability. For note taking, KeyWord is much more adequate.
Perhaps the option of running software such as LanguageTool on the MOnarch would meet the need for grammar analysis that you describe.
That is true!
So I immediately use the file manager to create files in both braille and text. Also, I was quite excited for the math feature. It was a little more involved than I was anticipating as I was never able to use a graphing calculator since they were not accessible when I was in school. So to find the ability to create a graph and find the slope and the different axis is greatly exciting! I look forward to using the victor reader app as well as the tactile library.
Comparing the Monarch to other devices, I see these advantages:
- Multiline display
- Touch and point
- Monarch chess
- Tactile Viewer
Honestly speaking, I am more excited to see how teachers will be able to create/program games and interactive lessons on this device. I think it has the ability to be great, and I would like to see the Monarch focus more on what makes it unique. Most of the other tools also have the word processor, email, file manager, etc. The games section really needs to be developed - I have many students who are eager to play.
In using the suite of applications on the unit, first impressions, everything that you would ned to get started is right here. It’s an intuitive set of applications for sure, and I know, I use intuitive a lot, but it fits here because it’s what you would expect in the basics. I’ve tinkered with the Math app, and graphing, a little, but it’s not something that I use in my field currently but it is something I could definitely learn because just being able to see equaions and graphs in this way would have greatly enhancedmy education if I had had the chance for this a long while back. I’ve looked at Chess, but visually, for me, the game has ben difficult to figure out and so I sort of left off from digging into it but for spatial awareness, and teaching students to move around andmove graphs and things around on the board or screen, would be hugely beneficial here. I have used the victor Reader app extensively here, and everything from setting up Bookshare, to navigating books has been an amazing addition. It seems to support a ton of formats and I would hope that being able to export external books from other sources, might be posible at some point, and working with other third party companies to get books on the unit would be hugely beneficial here. I hope to see Nls Bard added so we can get at least the braille component on the unit. I have used other braille displays and for reading, and interacting with text, the multi-line approach shines here. It’s one of the features that I enjoy in that, it gives you true, eal-time representation of braille on a page, which is something you just don’t et on conventional displays. That 10lines of 32 cell braille is the most beautiful thing to be able to see from a totally blind person’s perspective in that, having digital braille to interact with in this fashion, is phenomenal. I can’ express the true joy I felt when opening a book for the first time, and actually getting the look of a real page, and being able to navigate through it like flipping through a book. Now, carrying it to bookclub, or curling up in a chair by the pool? Not so much, but, that’s another story for later. Lol. Love where it’s headed though and teaching someone to readusing this unit is going to be a fun task.
I have explored all apps, and with the exception of the Tactile viewer which was new, because of previous experience with braille displays, it has been a very smooth learning curve/adjustment.
In this era of collaborative tools (we team-work a lot in my job), being unable to interact with documents in the cloud is a significant limitation of use in the workplace for me.
I’ve had a great time using the Word editor for presentations, having more information at a time than a single line of braille; but it would be even better to be able to just work off the slides I’m projecting, rather than having to have a separate Word version.
There is no point on the email app for me if I’m not able to access my work email, so while there’s nothing wrong with the Keymail app itself, I don’t have much use for it.
An extended terminal mode that actually works with my smartphone would be great in terms of portability, and while I’m on the subject of device compatibility, here’s hoping for an Android equivalent of WingItUp!
If this will be a significant tool for access to competitive employment, it really needs to be compatible with key tools of the current work environment, the posibilities here are endless!
For the first time I have reviewed a set of data for analysis in the form of charts at work using the Tactile Viewer, and I’m still processing the implications of that kind of access! I’m looking forward to more discussions and experience exchanges throughout this project.
I navigated and will never tire of navigating the tactual graphics image library. Exploring categories like art, math, science, and sports has been both exciting and empowering. I especially appreciate that I can first view the entire image to get the overall layout and then zoom in on specific details using the point-and-click action key. The ability to move and rotate the image adds even more flexibility and control.
This is especially meaningful to me because I lived through the reality of the 1990s as a student in finite math and biological psychology without access to graphics. I was expected to understand the same complex concepts as my sighted peers, who had full access to visual materials. Back then, I had to rely solely on verbal descriptions and imagination.
Now, having access to tactile graphics adds a new layer of depth to my understanding. For example, in staff meetings, charts and data visuals are often shared and discussed. In the past, I could only listen and try to piece things together mentally. Now, I not only have access to those graphics, but I also encourage others to request any visual materials in advance so we can review and explore them tactually before meetings.
This changes everything. We can analyze data alongside our colleagues, contribute meaningfully to discussions, and participate in planning and problem-solving on equal footing. Tactual graphics give us the tools to be informed, engaged, and therefore more effective team members.
Discussion Prompt:
I used the word processor and file manager. Mainly I used the word processor because this is what I use a braille display for a majority of the time. I see myself using this application to take notes similar to what I do right now in my workspace. I can see students using this to navigate through their books app, and notes to take notes on what they are reading and learning. I think it makes it nice that everything is in one device, versus switching from the computer to the display, to the ipad, or whatever they are using. I have seen students struggle to use spell check on braille displays, but I think the multiple ways to manage the help option is good.
Optional Extension:
I think having it connect to a screen is helpful for teachers/non braille users. I also think using the help function to learn how to use it and having the audio feedback.
Hello,
I also agree with the real time accessibility of the device. It’s nice to be able to have a real-time/equal access to work and school information.