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Monarch RISE Project Overview
Project Statement
Braille access has long been recognized as critical for individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have other Visual Impairments in achieving and maintaining Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). The Monarch RISE Project empowers individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, and have Other Visual Impairments to achieve and maintain CIE through the distribution of APH Monarchs – groundbreaking multi-line braille and tactile graphics displays – and accompanying innovative training initiatives.
Overview
The Monarch RISE Project (formally American Printing House for the Blind CIE & Monarch Explore, Prepare, Engage Project) empowers individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, and have Other Visual Impairments to achieve and maintain Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) through the distribution of APH Monarchs – groundbreaking multi-line braille and tactile graphics displays – and accompanying innovative training initiatives. Over the five-year project, Monarch RISE will distribute Monarch devices to services professionals supporting individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Other Visual Impairments, competitively employed professional mentors who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Other Visual Impairments, and individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Other Visual Impairments who are seeking CIE across the United States.
Following a modified train-the-trainer model, the project operates in two phases: first training services professionals and mentors, followed by training individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Other Visual Impairments who are seeking CIE. Key project elements include asynchronous Technology Training via the APH Hive, synchronous participant-centered Experience Exchanges trainings, peer mentoring, and the development of a workplace productivity application for the Monarch informed by project participant feedback to enhance employment outcomes for individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Other Visual Impairments.
Project Populations Served
- Primary Population: Individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Other Visual Impairments seeking to achieve and maintain CIE (may include seasonal and part-time CIE).
- Secondary Population: Services Professionals supporting individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Other Visual Impairments.
- Tertiary Population: Competitively employed professionals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Other Visual Impairments who will serve as mentors to individuals seeking CIE.
Project Goals/Anticipated Outcomes
- By March 30th, 2029, at least 201 students and adults with Blindness, Deaf-Blindness, or Other Visual Impairments seeking CIE, 50 services professionals in the field of education, rehabilitation, or assistive technology fields, and 25 professional mentors who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Other Visual Impairments will receive a Monarch and accompanying innovative training/services to promote CIE.
- By March 30th, 2029, APH will support at least 176 individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Other Visual Impairments in achieving CIE empowered by the Monarch and accompanying training/services.
- By September 30th, 2029, APH will identify and clearly communicate the ways in which the Monarch, its features, and accompanying training/services empower individuals with Blindness, Deaf-Blindness, and Other Visual Impairments to achieve and maintain CIE.
- By September 30th, 2029, APH will identify at least six targeted improvements for Monarch features and/or accompanying training/services to promote CIE.
Monarch RISE Project Key Personnel
Paul Schroeder, Monarch RISE Project Certifying Official, APH VP of Impact and Outreach
Paul serves as the official liaison between APH and RSA; certifying that the information provided in grant applications, reports, and financial documents is accurate, complete, and compliant with all applicable laws, regulations, and grant conditions; and providing internal APH leadership and guidance to the RISE Team and assuming accountability from RSA for the overall project outputs.
Erin Sigmund, Monarch RISE Project Director, APH Project Director – Monarch Employment Program
Erin serves as the primary point of contact between APH and RSA; providing direction to and facilitating collaboration among APH DIF-Team members/departments and related partners/stakeholders; and leading the RISE team in implementation of project activities (especially related to performance monitoring, evaluation and evidence, and reporting/dissemination) and assuming accountability from APH for the overall project outputs.
Monarch RISE Project Team Leads and Teams
Richard Rueda, Director of CareerConnect, Assistant Director of ConnectCenter
Richard serves as the primary point of contact for the ConnectCenter Team; serving as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on transition, competitive integrated employment, vocational rehabilitation, and related products, services, and agencies; and leading the ConnectCenter team in implementation of project activities and assuming accountability for their outputs.
LinkedIn: Richard Rueda
Learn more about CareerConnect
Leanne Grillot, Sr. Director of Outreach Services
Leanne serves as the primary point of contact for the Outreach Services Team; serving as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on education best practices, training best practices, and braille literacy; and leading the Outreach Services team in implementation of project activities and assuming accountability for their outputs.
Learn more about APH Outreach Services
Willow Free, Technical Innovations Product Manager
Willow serves as the primary point of contact for the Technical Innovations Team; serving as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Monarch, eBraille, and refreshable braille technologies; and leading the Technical Innovations team and relevant contractors in implementation of project activities and assuming accountabilities for their outputs.
Tom Winton, Evaluation Specialist
Tom serves as the primary point of contact for External Local Evaluator and Evidence Building Support Contractor; serving as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on program and project evaluation; and leading the RISE team and relevant contractors in developing and executing the project evaluation plan.
Sarah Gauer, CX Project Manager
Sarah serves as the primary point of contact for the Customer Experience Team and supporting the RISE team on efforts related to Monarch distribution, shipping, and customer experience support.
Learn more about Monarch Student Pilot Program
Resources and Materials
Updates and News
Contact Information
Email: RISE@aph.org
Director Email: esigmund@aph.org
Director Phone Number: 502-515-9128
For questions about the Monarch device, please review the Monarch product page or contact Monarch Support at monarchsupport@aph.org or 833-447-8444.
For Media Inquiries, please contact Sara Brown at sbrown@aph.org or 502-889-2368
Disclaimer: 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. The contents of this website developed under grant #H421F240052 from the U.S. Department of Education (Department). The Department does not mandate or prescribe practices, models, or other activities described or discussed in this document. The contents of this website may contain examples of, adaptations of, and links to resources created and maintained by another public or private organization. The Department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. The content of this website does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department. This publication is not intended to represent the views or policy of or be an endorsement of any views expressed or materials provided by any Federal agency.” (EDGAR 75.620)
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Download this FAQ as a Word Document: Monarch RISE FAQ (docx).
What is the Monarch RISE project?
Monarch RISE is a 5-Year Disability Innovation Fund project. The core focus of Monarch RISE is to understand how the Monarch can empower individuals in achieving and sustaining competitive integrated employment (CIE).
Who is eligible to participate in the Monarch RISE project?
The following individuals may be eligible to participate:
- Adults and Transition-Age Students (14+):
Individuals who are currently seeking or plan to seek competitive integrated employment (CIE) before September 2028. - Blind Professionals:
Those currently working in CIE positions outside of blindness services. Participants in this group must be willing and able to provide mentoring to individuals seeking CIE. - Professionals Supporting CIE-Seekers:
Includes those working in vocational rehabilitation, assistive technology, higher education, blindness services, and similar roles that support adults and transition-aged students seeking CIE. - Additional Requirements:
All selected participants must be proficient in 6-key entry and meet other criteria outlined in the project application.
How can I apply for the Monarch RISE project?
Application will be posted on the Monarch RISE web page in early February.
Is there a cost associated with participating in the Monarch RISE project?
There is no direct cost to participate in Monarch RISE.
What are the key objectives of the Monarch RISE project?
The key objective of the Monarch RISE project is to empower individuals’ efforts to achieve and maintain competitive integrated employment by
- distributing 250 Monarchs to transition-aged students and adults across the United States
- evaluating the Monarch and Monarch resources regarding CIE
- proposing targeted improvements to the Monarch and Monarch resources focused on CIE
- launching a new application for the Monarch designed for CIE
What is Competitive Integrated Employment?
Competitive integrated employment means work that—
- (i) Is performed on a full-time or part-time basis (including self-employment) and for which an individual is compensated at a rate that-
- (A) Is not less than the higher of the rate specified in section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) or the rate required under the applicable State or local minimum wage law for the place of employment;
- (B) Is not less than the customary rate paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by other employees who are not individuals with disabilities and who are similarly situated in similar occupations by the same employer and who have similar training, experience, and skills; and
- (C) In the case of an individual who is self-employed, yields an income that is comparable to the income received by other individuals who are not individuals with disabilities and who are self-employed in similar occupations or on similar tasks and who have similar training, experience, and skills; and
- (D) Is eligible for the level of benefits provided to other employees; and
- (ii) Is at a location—
- (A) Typically found in the community; and
- (B) Where the employee with a disability interacts for the purpose of performing the duties of the position with other employees within the particular work unit and the entire work site, and, as appropriate to the work performed, other persons (e.g., customers and vendors), who are not individuals with disabilities (not including supervisory personnel or individuals who are providing services to such employee) to the same extent that employees who are not individuals with disabilities and who are in comparable positions interact with these persons; and
- (iii) Presents, as appropriate, opportunities for advancement that are similar to those for other employees who are not individuals with disabilities and who have similar positions.
(Authority: Sections 7(5) and 12(c) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; 29 U.S.C. 705(5) and 709(c))
Training and Support
What kind of training is provided to master the Monarch device?
Anyone can begin to Master the Monarch utilizing the Hive Course and other training resources.
Participants will engage in asynchronous online training supported by APH Outreach Services. Based on individual needs, some may also attend synchronous, online or in-person training sessions. In addition, the program is designed to foster peer learning, enabling participants to benefit from shared experiences with other users.
Will there be opportunities for Monarch RISE users to provide feedback on their experience with the Monarch?
Yes, collecting ongoing feedback and proposing targeted improvements to optimize the Monarch for CIE is a key focus of the RISE project.
Project Phases and Timeline
What are the different phases of the Monarch RISE project?
During Phase 1, professionals supporting CIE-seekers and blind professionals will complete asynchronous Tech Training to master the Monarch; share experiences, propose improvements, and develop resources at Experience Exchanges; and refer individuals seeking CIE to participate in Phase 2.
During Phase 2, individuals seeking CIE will complete asynchronous or synchronous Tech Training to master the Monarch; share experiences, learn from experts, receive guidance from mentors, and propose improvements at Experience Exchanges; and receive personalized, ongoing CIE support with progress tracking.
When will each phase of the Monarch RISE project take place?
Project timelines are still being finalized and may change.
Priority selection for Phase 1 applicants is expected in Spring 2025, with activities likely beginning in Summer 2025. Priority selection for Phase 2 applicants is expected in Summer 2026, activities likely starting in Fall 2026.
Project activities will take place through September 2028. Generally, participants are expected to invest significant time to project activities during their first year with the time commitment decreasing in subsequent years.
How will participants be selected for each phase of Monarch RISE?
Application information will be available on the Monarch RISE website in early February. Participants will be selected based on a combination of factors including geographic distribution. Priority will be given to applicants without regular access to a Monarch through other means.
Impact on Employment and Education
How does the Monarch device support individuals in achieving competitive integrated employment?
The core focus of Monarch RISE is to understand how the Monarch can empower individuals in achieving and sustaining competitive integrated employment.
Can the Monarch be used in educational settings to support learning and skill development?
Yes. Visit Meet Monarch to learn more.
Feedback and Evaluation
Will the results of the Monarch RISE project be publicly available?
Yes. Please visit this web page for project updates.
Funding and Partnerships
How is the Monarch RISE project funded?
100% of the total costs of APH’s DIF-F project (Monarch RISE) will be financed by the $10 million grant under grant number H21F240052 from the Department of Education. No percentage of the total costs of the project will be financed by non-governmental sources.
Are there other Disability Innovation Fund programs?
Yes. Visit the Rehabilitation Services Administration website to learn more about other DIF-F grantees.
Distribution and Availability
Can adults purchase the Monarch if they are not eligible or selected for the Monarch RISE project?
Yes. Contact our Monarch support team at monarchsupport@aph.org or (833) 447-8444.
- Adults and Transition-Age Students (14+):