Express Activity 5: Your Vision for the Monarch in Employment & Transition

[Deborah_Armstrong]

I finally got around to playing with the Monarch vhess application and really like it. It can help with mastering spatial relationships for sure.

This made me realize, if the Monarch is used with younger children an easier board game might be good to implement, such as tic tac toe, maybe with more rows than three.

If it is used with adults, one thing that could be fun would be a text adventure game which could get them comfortable with the keyboard and reading Braille. An activity combining reading and writing is the easiest way to master it quickly, especially if you are an adult. Many adventure games have already been ported to Android, for example the Original adventure. I used the original Adventure on my first iPod touch to force me to practice using the onscreen keyboard and it worked. I’m very fast at using it now because I played games first and now I can type serious things on my iPhone now like notes and entering new contacts without needing an external keyboard.

Also, our local lighthouse for the blind has Tmap, which is their own software that uses the open-source open street maps to create tactile maps of a client’s requested area. They emboss the maps for a fee and send them out to clients. So I wonder if somehow this could integrate with the Monarch. The idea would be that you would enter an intersection and a map would be created on the fly, and you could set a zoom level for it. This would greatly help with O&M not just for kiddos but for independent blind adults. Though we have maps that talk on our phones, there’s nothing like a tactile street map to show you intersection shapes and block lengths.

Because you can download a map for free I need to try this still and see if it looks good on the Monarch and I urge others to try it too.

I hope the Monarch gets opened up to app developers. I’d really like to write some code for it.

(Having some accessibility issues with this editor, excuse the typos!.)

References:

TMAP - LightHouse MAD Lab

and

OpenStreetMap

** Not sure if the links are going to post so here’s the raw Hyperlinks:

OpenStreetMap

and

TMAP - LightHouse MAD Lab

[Jason_White]

I’m also interested in any possibility of creating tactile maps from OpenStreetMap (without manual intervention to edit the maps). This would be very valuable to anyone learning a new work environment or university campus.

[Deborah_Armstrong]

I think it’s already possible, but I have to test my theory. I plan to work on that a bit over the weekend and will post results.

[Arielle_Silverman]

Since I’m not currently working with any students or clients, I will comment based on my own experience so far with the Monarch and how I see it interfacing with my job. Tl’dr, I think the Monarch has great potential but I’m waiting for JAWS and Bluetooth support in terminal mode to really start using it at work.

I think the Monarch has a ton of potential, particularly making it easier to skim or read long documents (though having to wait for the full display to refresh adds in a bit of delay). I don’t personally think the tactile viewer is ready for prime time yet, but that may just be my own difficulty interpreting tactile graphs even on paper. I think the email and word processor are pretty solid, and maybe the KeyMath app for those who are doing algebra/geometry or teaching those subjects.

There are also some barriers to using the Monarch as a stand-alone device in CIE settings. I haven’t personally integrated the Monarch into my professional workflow mainly because I heavily use spreadsheets and the Google Drive desktop app, neither of which are supported. When I am working I am often flipping frequently between my folder structure in Google Drive, one or more spreadsheets, and one or more word documents, lots of video meetings, along with frequently checking and replying to emails. I can’t do all those things on the Monarch and it’s not efficient for me to keep flipping back and forth between my laptop and Monarch. I did use it once to help me read someone’s phone number and transfer it to my phone, which I find easier to do with braille than with speech, and I’ll also use it to help me with spelling or transferring information I can’t simply copy and paste from one document to another.

I really want to try using my Monarch as a braille terminal after JAWS support is solidified and preferably with a Bluetooth connection to my laptop. Then I’ll be able to navigate files stored in Google Drive instantly and hopefully also get to take advantage of multiline support for spreadsheets.

The other big barrier I see to implementation in CIE settings is the size. Of course, I know it has to be big to support multiline braille, that’s kind of the nature of the beast, but if I were commuting I would not want to transport both a Monarch and a laptop. It would just be too much weight. Luckily I work from home, so that’s not an issue. I’m disappointed though that the Monarch is not easier to transport for travel, since I’d love to use it for presentation support once I have braille terminal access to PowerPoint.

Bottom line: I think the Monarch is a great tablet for a high school or college student. It could be a great auxiliary tool for work once the braille terminal mode gets easier to use with more screen readers supported. I wouldn’t recommend it as a stand-alone device for most workplaces, especially for those with long commutes. To make it better for CIE settings as a stand-alone device, I would recommend adding either the Microsoft Suite or the Google Suite of apps.

[William_Adams]

Three uses

1. Using it for graphics on the fly to help with understanding of concepts
2. Using Braille Editor to explore coding and syntax
3. Using Monarch Chess as a way to increase therapeutic recreation

Two Features

1. WingIt - Images on the fly
2. Tactile Viewer - A repository of tactile images to be able to pull up.
3. (BONUS) Multi line JAWS - waiting for IT to update my JAWS

Using Braille Editor to understand document formating.

[Caitlin_Hernandez]

Three ways the Monarch will change or improve instruction, training, or access to employment-related tasks for your students or clients:

• As I primarily teach sighted students, I will focus on either a proverbial blind student or tutee, and on whomever I may be mentoring through the RISE project.

1. Much easier access to multi-line braille. Especially for young students or emerging braille readers, I feel this will be a game-cjanger. I cannot express what a joy it has been to read, to aloud and to myself, with this device. Though I can read very rapidly with my 32-cell BrailleSense, there’s something so wonderful about being able to seamlessly jump to the next line without endlessly scrolling. I’ve even gotten into enough of a rhythm that, when I’m reading aloud, I can read the last line and, while verbalizing it, press page-down to scroll, in such a way that there’s no lapse in my reading. I’ve missed hardcopy braille ever since college, and this is almost as good as getting it back in my everyday life. And even though we can’t quite say there’s a version of skimming in braille, we get the next best thing via the Monarch.
2. Tactile Graphics
   Though tactile graphics have always been very difficult for me to comprehend, I attribute the struggle, at least in part, to a lack of training and access. I was truly amazed by the wealth of images already available in the TGIL, and my hope is that, especially for young or newly-blind folks, this device will maximize tactile literacy and availability in an enormously powerful way.
   Wing It will also be a remarkable addition for both students and employees, enabling us to access drawings and visuals on the fly.
3. Productivity and Task Managing
   Although I am waiting eagerly for many things – iOS terminal mode, stronger web-browsing, perhaps a more robust wordprocessor – I was happy to know that the internet browser, email, editor, and Victor apps were ready to go. Once the terminal mode is available, I anticipate baking the Monarch more fully into my workflow, which, I believe, will increase my proficiency and productivity further. The multi-line display, combined with the suite of apps, although it is not all-inclusive or fully-developed, should complement a laptop nicely in most workplaces. And while the Monarch’s size and software limitations aren’t insignificant, I feel it can have a strong place in many folks’ tech toolboxes.

Two features you are most excited to teach or use with your students or clients in workplace:

1. Wordprocessor, particularly for reading fluency
2. E-Mail, for the efficiency of being able to read and write emails, attach graphed equations and files, and switch between tasks, all from one device with 10 lines of Braille

One way the Monarch will help individuals interact with colleagues, supervisors, or team members in a professional environment.:
Smooth, fluent, and maximized access to notes, written material, preexisting tactile graphics, e-mails, and impromptu drawings, all in one place. This device will enhance productivity and make communication participation in groupthink, and a blind individual’s ability to contribute to the collective more effortless, equitable, and accessible.

[Paul_Ferrara]

There is much I could say here; some things are ready now while others are coming. I am excited for terminal mode and multi-line mode with JAWS. It will strengthen reading, making it much quicker for braille readers. It also is something I’m excited to try on websites with graphics and with files with photos or graphics. Can I read the text and look at the graphic? Will I be distracted? What adjustment will I have to make? Viewing a website or app that I am testing for accessibility sounds interesting when I can look at graphics as well as the alt text for those graphics. For fun I would like to let the Monarch open pictures I have, ones I am familiar with, like previous guide dogs, current pets, etc., to see what I can tell from these photos. For now, I may grasp parts and portions better than the full big picture or shape, but this is fine. One thing I hope to hear more about, soon, is future plans for the Monarch; what is under development, what has been discussed, what is not possible?

[Helen_McCoy]

I think I’ll answer this question a little differently. As an educator, and even before I became a TVI, my goal has always been to ensure that students not only have access to their education but can also apply what they are learning to their education, daily activities, life skills, future employment.

For our students, literacy begins with accessing reading materials in a way that works for them. This starts with reading directions and solving math problems, then progresses to writing essays, sending emails, and eventually creating résumés. Each step builds essential skills that help students effectively communicate with the world around them—first in the classroom, then in the workplace, and finally in their personal lives and interests.

With literacy moving increasingly into the digital age, students also need a new set of skills for digital competency. Being able to read, write, and navigate technology is now just as important as traditional print literacy. Ultimately, literacy leads to independence and confidence. It gives students the ability to self-advocate, make informed choices, and pursue meaningful opportunities.

Now, add in the experience of being blind, where access to literacy at any level has always been a constant challenge. This is where innovations like the Monarch open the door, providing blind students with equitable access to reading and writing. By allowing them to access text, graphics, and math in a digital tactile format, the Monarch bridges a gap that has historically limited opportunities. Blind students and professionals can approach literacy in a way that mirrors their sighted peers—an essential step in preparing them for both education and career success.

The Braille Editor is one of the key features for me because it allows note-taking during class or business meetings, makes it easy to point and click to go back and add information, and provides access to documents for both school and work. The Victor Reader is another valuable feature, as it allows you to add books, magazines, and other materials, supporting both professional development and personal interests.

[Daniel_martinez]

The Monarch will come in handy when writing reports, presenting PowerPOint data, and to graph progress made.

I am excited to teach students how to use the Braille editor and the Keyword applications; focusing on editing will give them an opportunity to develop professional writing.

I have loaded my e-mail to the Monarch, and this has helped me to connect with others. Including someone who sent me an image that I was then able to explore using the tactile graphic application.

[Kristen_Witucki]

The Monarch will reach its full potential for integrating into competetive employment when it can work as a terminal with all mainstream scenarios such as an iPhone or Android, or a computer running Jaws or Voiceover. (I know it is working as a terminal with NVDA which is a wonderful beginning!) With the increase or maintenance in workplace security, being a terminal will be an even more crucial step for people to work competently with their colleagues in real time. So now on to the question!

The Monarch will enable students to read competently rather than listening and trying to read what they hear or squinting at a screen that is difficult to see. This helps in all sorts of scenarios, such as documenting issues, presenting to internal and external stakeholders, or presenting to any size group. The Monarch will also enable people to update documentation comfortably in real time.

The Tactile Viewer will be invaluable for understanding workplace maps and many other kinds of graphics, such as org charts, data sets, and many other sets of often visually represented information. The Braille Editor will help students to edit workplace documentation, notes, and presentations. These are the programs that apply the most to my work as a content creator, and my identity as a writer, so I’d be the most excited to help students to understand these programs.

My favorite way that a braille display helps me to interact with colleagues is its use during presentations. It’s the only way I feel that I have an advantage over many other presenters, because I can look at the audience while reading with enough (but not too much) expression. I can improvise as well, but the Braille makes me feel much more secure than memorization. The Monarch will make workplace presentations, which include conferences, team meetings, and podcasts, so much easier.

[Sarahelizabeth_Baguh]

Three ways the Monarch will improve employment-related tasks

Its multiline braille reduces navigation overhead for dense materials. This can be helpful when reading long scientific articles, although currently the graphs in the articles don’t appear to render into tactile graphics for me on the display. This also makes for easier viewing of agendas during meetings, which leaves my computer audio free to just hear the speakers.

Two features I’m most excited to see in the future

I’d like to see native support of viewing on screen graphics without tactile preparation, especially if it were compatible with RStudio, or even zoom screen sharing etc. Right now I can’t see a document shared on zoom or google meets, and if that could be shared on device that would be awesome, to follow along as people panned. I’d also like to see a robust to-do list app. I miss the dopamine hit of being able to cross things off, and I got excited when I saw the 9dot square in the menu navigation that there would be some great bullet icon options for organizing our to do list apps, using bullet shapes like sighted people use color coding, but alas, none of the many to do list apps for android seem to be on the Monarch, even though it’s built on an android brain. Todo list tracking, especially integrated with google drive, google docs tags, and gmail, would be huge for me!

[Kevin_Currin]

Three ways the Monarch will change or improve instruction, training, or access to employment-related tasks:

1. The monarch will greatly improve graph literacy through the tactile viewer and the TGIL. Many fields in and outside of STEM require knowledge of graphs and charts, such as bargraphs, scatterplots, boxplots, etc. Understanding what these graphs convey is essential for communicating with colleagues in many fields. These graphs also are very important for teaching concepts. The wide variety of charts available in the TGIL will help improve graph literacy through allowing quick access to an ever growing image library.
2. The Monarch will improve communication of concepts between sighted and blind individuals. The ability to connect an external visual display to the Monarch will allow sighted and blind individuals to view the same content, such as graphs, which will help them discuss concepts and communicate ideas mmore efficiently. This will also be helped by the Wing It app. Being able to share diagrams on the fly will be helpful in many types of circumstances, such as project workflow planning. Previously, tools like the draftsman kit were required for flexible communication of these types of concepts.
3. The Monarch will help improve braille literacy. As important and useful as screenreaders are, listening to audio is not the same as reading. This will improve students spelling and grammar, which is very important in professional settings. It is also difficult to listen to a screenreader and someone else talking at the same time. Using braille may allow someone to better follow along during a presentation because the screenreader will not be talking over the presenter.

Two features you are most excited to teach or use:

1. Tactile viewer: I am excited to show students and professionals graphs they have not had the chance to see or feel before.
2. Terminal mode: I am excited for the potential that the Monarch will have connected to a computer. It may make understanding tables much more efficient than using a screenreader. It may also help with computer code formatting, writing and readhing math, and more efficiently viewing graphics without having to first transfer them to the Monarch.

One way the Monarch will help individuals interact with colleagues, supervisors, or team members in a professional environment:
As mentioned above, I think one of the most beneficial parts of the Monarch is enhancing communication of concepts between blind and sighted colleagues. The Monarch offers many ways to do this, including tactile viewer, external displays, the Wing It app, and terminal mode.

[Tina_Herzberg]

Kristen, I really appreciated your post. It is exciting to think about the future and how the Monarch could be used as a terminal for mainstream technology such as an iPhone, Chromebook and Google apps, and a laptop running Jaws or VoiceOver! I participate in a weekly committee meeting and two of my colleagues who are braille readers often rely on listening instead of reading because they cannot easily access the document as it is changed in real-time. Just imagine if they had access to the document as it is changed!

The Monarch will give more access to tactile graphics. I also think the Monarch as a terminal in the future will allow students in a variety of settings to more fully participate in group discussions and group projects. I also wonder if the Monarch will either now or in the future give more access to IEP systems that are currently difficult or impossible to use with a screen reader. I also think there are lots of STEM applications of the Monarch that I need to explore!

I am excited about teaching how the Tactile Viewer can be used for tactile graphics, including O&M maps; the Braille Editor for taking notes and creating documents, and Math Mode for all things related to math.

The Monarch will allow candidates to overview and use lesson plans in real-time. The Monarch will also be a great tool in the classroom for candidates in our program as well as K-12 students.