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Monarch RISE Project Overview
Applications
The application for this phase of the Monarch RISE Project has closed.
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. The Monarch RISE Project is creating and empowering a sustainable community of Monarch users, individuals using an innovative multiline braille and tactile graphics display, who can independently share strategies and success stories to advance their own and others’ success in preparing for, achieving, maintaining, and progressing in competitive integrated employment (CIE).
Looking for general project information? Check out the Monarch Projects Open Dropbox to learn more.
Are you an enrolled project participant looking for project materials? Check out the Password-Protected DropBox for Participants.
Project Populations Served
- Phase 1: Professionals
- Phase 2: College, Early Career, and Underemployed
- Phase 3: Job-Seekers: Students and Adults
Project Materials
This portal provides active RISE participants with program information, forms, support, and other useful resources. It’s designed to help you find what you need quickly and handle common tasks independently. Access your RISE documents at your Kaleidoscope’s password-protected Dropbox below.
Monarch Project Activities
RISE Project Information
4-Part Training Overview
Egg Stage: Intake and Onboarding
- Selection and Notification
- Participant Intake
- Participant Onboarding to Project
- Monarch Distribution
- Ad-Hoc white glove unboxing
Caterpillar Stage: Learning the Monarch
- Annual asynchronous Mastering the Monarch Hive Course
- Annual asynchronous Hive Course Post-Module Activities
- Annual synchronous Changing of the Membrane Workshop
- Asynchronous Hive Discussion Board
- Synchronous Mastering the Monarch Office Hours
- Ad-Hoc Monarch Support
Chrysalis Stage: Applying the Monarch
- Bi-Monthly synchronous Monarch Expert Q & A Sessions
- Bi-Monthly synchronous Peer Working Groups
- Quarterly synchronous Applied CIE-Skills Building Workshops
- Quarterly synchronous Peer Mentoring
- Partner CIE-Trainings
- Ad-Hoc Coaching and VR Connection Support
Butterfly Stage: Making Monarch Better for CIE-Seekers
- Bi-Annual In-Person Networking
- Annual In-Person Kick-Off and Graduation Celebration
- Quarterly Participant Advisory Board Meetings
Additional Opportunities (As Available):
- Monarch CIE-Apps Field-Testing
- Ad-Hoc research requests
Training Partners
The Monarch RISE Project is actively seeking nationally focused CIE-skills training partners. If you are interested in partnering with Monarch RISE, please email Project Director Erin Sigmund at [email protected].
Project Support
- Monarch RISE Support Form – Fill out form
- For technical assistance, please contact our Monarch support team at [email protected] or (833) 447-8444.
- Share your Monarch story
- Subscribe to APH newsletters
- Monarch Users Facebook Group – Connect with other Monarch users, learn about the device, find resources, share ideas, and more!
- Looking for MSPP? Learn more about the Monarch Student Pilot Project that is expanding braille access for middle and high school students.
- For any other inquiries, please contact us at [email protected].
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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: [email protected]
Director Email: [email protected]
Director Phone Number: 502-515-9128
For questions about the Monarch device, please review the Monarch product page or contact Monarch Support at [email protected] or 833-447-8444.
For Media Inquiries, please contact Sara Brown at [email protected] 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)