Monarch

The Monarch tactile graphics and Braille display from Humanware is an advanced device designed to help people who are blind or have vision impairments access information through Braille. It is a multi-line braille reader, meaning that it can display several lines of braille text at once, unlike standard braille displays that often only show one line at a time. This feature allows users to read larger sections of information, such as books, diagrams, or charts, making learning and exploring more convenient. The Monarch also supports tactile graphics, enabling blind individuals to feel and understand visual concepts like graphs and maps.

Developed in collaboration with organisations such as the American Printing House for the blind (APH) who are focused on improving accessibility, the Monarch is compatible with various digital tools and formats frequently used for education and work. It connects to computers and other devices to provide access to electronic documents, allowing users to read, edit, and interact with content in real-time. This device represents a significant step forward in making digital and educational resources more inclusive for those who rely on braille to read and learn.

Classroom Applications

The Monarch braille display from HumanWare is designed as a versatile tool to enhance learning for students who are blind or have vision impairments. In the classroom, the Monarch enables students to access digital textbooks, worksheets, and educational materials in braille format. Its multi-line capability allows learners to read larger sections of text or complex materials, such as tables, charts, and tactile graphics, more effectively than traditional single-line displays. This feature supports the understanding of spatial or visual concepts, making it especially useful for subjects like mathematics, science, and geography.
Teachers can integrate the Monarch into lessons by using it for interactive activities, presentations, or real-time assignments. Students can connect the device to laptops or tablets to read and respond to digital content, fostering independence and engagement. Additionally, the Monarch supports collaboration in inclusive classrooms by allowing students to access the same materials as their peers, bridging gaps in accessibility. Its ability to display tactile graphics is particularly advantageous for helping students engage with visual content, such as diagrams, flowcharts, and graphs, that would otherwise be challenging to access.
Using the new Wing It app for iPad, images can be created in real time (such as a graph) and accessed tactually on the Monarch, allowing students to have access to content at close to the same time as their peers, even when it hasn't been prepared previously. A guide on the Wing-It app and how to connect the Monarch to your iPad can be found in the Guides sectino below.