Monarch Student Pilot Project
The Monarch Student Pilot Project (MSPP) is an initiative designed to expand student access to cutting-edge refreshable braille technology. Our goal is to empower young braille readers by providing them with year-round access to Monarch, while also gathering valuable insights from both students and educators to help improve the technology and its classroom integration. For more detailed information about Monarch itself, please visit the Meet Monarch webpage.
MSPP Nomination Form for Fall 2025 (opens April 10th)
Project Goals
- Enhanced Access: Increase year-round availability to Monarch, the newest refreshable braille technology.
- Continuous Feedback: Collect comprehensive feedback from students and educators about ideas for future enhancements.
- Educational Impact: Evaluate how this accessible technology integrates into classroom settings and its contributions to braille literacy.
Overview
- Monarch is provided on a long-term loan to the family of each participating student until their graduation from high school or other K-12 educational program.
- Periodic questionnaires will capture ongoing insights and feedback from both students and educators.
Student Eligibility
To be eligible, students must meet all the following requirements:
- Be entering the 6th-11th grade
- Able to read and write braille
- Have experience using a refreshable braille display
- Reside within the United States or one of its territories
- Have a qualified educator (such as a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) or a parent/guardian who home schools) who commits to providing regular updates on usage and impact
What to Expect
Joining MSPP means receiving more than just access to a Monarch; it also includes a comprehensive support package. Our participants also enjoy:
- Specialized Technical Support: Our Monarch Support team is on hand to resolve any technical challenges and ensure a seamless experience from Day One.
- Training Resources and Activity Ideas: We share an ever-growing collection of training materials and teacher-created activities to help educators and students maximize the benefits of Monarch.
- Expert Webinars: Regular webinars featuring industry experts offer valuable insights, demonstrations, and best practices for using Monarch effectively.
- Bimonthly Newsletter: Stay updated with the Monarch Monitor newsletter that shares project progress, upcoming events, and stories from the community.
Participant Responsibilities
For the success of MSPP, every participant plays a key role. The following responsibilities ensure the project runs smoothly and that valuable insights are gathered to improve the technology and its classroom integration.
For Students
- Active Engagement: Use Monarch regularly and explore its features to support your learning experience.
- Feedback Participation: Complete periodic questionnaires and share honest feedback about Monarch’s performance, usability, and overall impact.
- Proper Usage: Follow guidelines for the safe and responsible use of Monarch, including caring for and using it in appropriate settings.
For Parents/Guardians
- Device Care and Oversight: Ensure Monarch is handled with care, stored safely, and used according to the provided guidelines.
- Facilitate Communication: Help coordinate between the student, educator, and project team by ensuring that feedback and updates are submitted on time.
- Support Feedback Process: Assist in the completion of questionnaires or surveys and encourage your student to share their honest experiences with the technology.
For Educators
- Integration in Learning: Incorporate Monarch into the classroom or home education environment, aligning its use with educational goals.
- Feedback Participation: Provide timely feedback through periodic questionnaires, detailing observations of the technology’s impact on learning and classroom integration.
- Device Care and Oversight: Ensure Monarch is handled with care, stored safely, and used according to the provided guidelines while in the classroom.
- Collaborative Engagement: Work closely with families and the project team to address any challenges, share best practices, and continuously enhance the pilot experience for all participants.
FAQs
Q: What is Monarch?
A: Monarch is a multiline braille device that renders tactile graphics integrated with braille on the first-of-its-kind 10-line by 32-cell refreshable braille display. For more detailed information about Monarch itself, please visit the Meet Monarch webpage.
Q: Who should nominate a student?
A: Educators planning to work directly with the nominated student or parents/guardians who home school are the best people to nominate a student. Parents/guardians who do not home school are encouraged to work with their child’s educator to complete a nomination.
Q: How long does a student keep Monarch?
A: Monarch is provided to participants as a long-term loan to the family until the student’s graduation from high school or other K-12 educational program.
Q: Can Monarch be taken home?
A: Yes, students are encouraged to take Monarch home so it can be incorporated into both their academic and personal lives.
Q: Are the parents/guardians, school, or district required to purchase Monarch?
A: No, no one is required to make any purchases in order to participate in or as a result of participating in the Monarch Student Pilot Project.
Q: What are your selection criteria?
A: To be eligible students must be entering 6th-11th grade, able to read and write braille, have experience with a refreshable braille display, and have an educator or home-school parent/guardian who agrees to provide regular updates on usage and impact. Otherwise, we strive to include students from across the United States and its territories.
Q: What are the requirements for participating?
A: The student and educator participants are required to complete periodic questionnaires to share their feedback and experiences. Questionnaires will not exceed one per month for students and one per month for educators. Participants must also abide by Monarch’s End User License Agreement which is located in the User Manual and abide by the MSPP Acceptable Use Policy.
Q: How does APH protect my privacy?
A: All personal information is kept confidential unless you permit APH to use it otherwise. All information being collected will be used in conformity with the APH Privacy Policy.
Q: How can I stay up to date on the Monarch Student Pilot Project?
A: Sign up for the project’s bimonthly newsletter, Monarch Monitor, by visiting our newsletter subscription page.
Q: How can I request a textbook to be converted into eBRL?
A: Please complete the below Textbook Conversion Request form.
Textbook Conversion Request
To request a textbook be converted into eBRL file format, which is currently only available for use on the Monarch, please complete the form below. The converted file will be sent to your email address within 2-3 business days. If you have any questions, please contact our Monarch Support team at monarchsupport@aph.org or 833-447-8444.