Three ways in which the monarch could contribute to CIE (among so many others) are tasks such as presentations, data visualization and analysis, and easier adjustment/transition especially to complex spaces from the ability to access maps or layouts.
Two features I’m excited to work and train on are the TActile Viewers to boost students access to STEM courses, and related to it, explore the Victor Reader’s expanded capability to access those textbooks containing images, especially when it comes to graphs and charts.
As for interacting with colleagues, I’m excited to see how the monarch further integrates with collaborative tools and eventually cloud-based environments.
As an Assistive Technology Instructor (ATI), I see the Monarch as a revolutionary tool for transforming how individuals who are blind or have low vision engage with digital content and employment-related tasks. One major improvement will be in teaching individuals how to view and understand math concepts. I currently work with K–12 students using the Desmos calculator and teaching them how to write digital math problems. Many of my students have been visualizing data mentally, but the Monarch will allow them to physically explore graphs and data through Braille and tactile graphics, reinforcing both conceptual understanding and tactile literacy. For adults who have been blind all their lives, visualizing screen layouts like ribbons, menus, and desktop structures can be abstract and challenging. The Monarch will make these concepts tangible, helping them better grasp how digital interfaces are organized. For adults seeking employment, the ability to instantly generate tactile graphics of images or diagrams shared by colleagues is an empowering step toward equal access in the workplace. Having tactile graphics on demand will truly level the playing field by making visual information accessible in real time.
Two Monarch features I am especially excited to teach are the Tactile Viewer and Math Viewer. As someone still developing tactile literacy through touch, I look forward to both learning from and teaching others how to interpret complex graphics tactually. I have always had a strong aptitude for math, but my access to graphics in school was limited. With the Math Viewer, I can finally help students and adults alike experience the spatial and visual aspects of math in a tactile form, opening doors to STEM-related fields that were once difficult to access. The Tactile Viewer will also be invaluable for exploring workplace maps, diagrams, and other visual materials, offering immediate and independent access to critical information. Finally, the Monarch will enhance professional communication by enabling individuals to take notes in meetings, review digital files, and access job-related training materials efficiently. Being able to engage directly with workplace content in Braille will strengthen collaboration with colleagues, supervisors, and team members, fostering both confidence and independence in professional environments.