[NFBV-Announce] Exciting Opportunity for Blind Professionals Who Know Braille!

[Teisha Gillespie]

Attention all blind and low-vision professionals who use Braille!
The American Printing House (APH) is conducting a five-year program to help
inform its new Braille tablet, the Monarch, and they are looking for 250
professionals like you to test the product, share feedback, and train the
upcoming generation of blind professionals.
There are two upcoming info sessions on Jan. 29 at 11am ET and Jan. 30 at
2pm ET for you to learn more. All accepted participants will receive a
Monarch device at no cost.
Please read the message below for more information and for links to
register for one of the sessions.

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The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) received a significant
federal grant from the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) to assess the value
of the Monarch as a tool to support adults to prepare for or advance in
employment. In September 2024, APH launched the Monarch, a multi-line
braille and graphics tablet, initiating a long-sought revolution in
electronic braille technology.

Ideal participants are blind professionals competitively employed in
industries outside of blindness services. Participants will integrate the
Monarch into their work, draft proposals for targeted improvements to the
Monarch related to workplace tasks and provide guidance and mentorship to
individuals transitioning to Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). All
applicants must have a basic understanding of braille and proficiency in
6-key entry.

Please join us to learn more about the Monarch RISE: Resources for
Inclusion, Skills, and Employment
<https://www.aph.org/meet-monarch/rise/>. This
project seeks to assess the impact of the Monarch
<https://www.aph.org/meet-monarch/> - an innovative braille/tactile
graphics technology - in achieving and maintaining competitive integrated
employment. Over the 5-year project, 250 Monarchs will be distributed
cost-free to employment and educational professionals, individuals seeking
competitive integrated employment, and blind professionals as coaches
across the United States. Monarch recipients will be provided training on
the use of the device. To provide more details about this initiative, we
are hosting two virtual information sessions to accommodate your schedule.

These sessions will offer an overview of the program objectives,
expectations of the Monarch recipients, and benefits for you, as well as an
opportunity to ask questions and learn how to participate. Each link below
sends you to a Zoom registration; feel free to share it with other blind
professionals around the US.

Session Options:

Session 1: January 29, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, Eastern Time Zone
<https://aph.zoom.us/meeting/register/RoZKq0z_RDGcQYlCL5p6kw>

Session 2: January 30, 2:00 - 3:00 pm, Eastern Time Zone
<https://aph.zoom.us/meeting/register/a_AxJm2sRTC4TRGxAbQGnA>

APH is excited to partner with blind professionals to help demonstrate how
this innovative braille/graphics technology can increase employment options
and opportunities for individuals who are blind, especially those of
transition age. And we believe this will be an excellent opportunity to
support your own professional growth with a Monarch. We encourage you to
attend one of these sessions to learn more.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at RISE at aph.org. We look
forward to connecting with you and exploring how this endeavor can benefit
you and blind individuals seeking competitive employment.


-- 
Teisha Gillespie (She/Her/Hers)
Communications Chair, NFB of Virginia
Host of the Not Your Average GOAT Podcast | The show that celebrates all
the shapes, sizes and colors of diversity as well as adversity | Listen and
subscribe on Spotify <https://open.spotify.com/show/6v0eJPeJd1pTMitq7Mj46Q>
or Apple Podcasts
<https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-your-average-goat/id1622832417>
Connect with me on LinkedIn <http://linkedin.com/in/teishacollins>
Want to chat DEI or marketing? Book a phone call.
<https://calendly.com/teishagillespie/phone-call>
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