Presented at 4:15 pm in Matchless on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
#41216Speaker(s)
- Lauralyn Randles, Director of Product Advancement, American Printing House
- Greg Stilson, SR Director of Global Innovation and Strategy, American Printing House
- Rachel Ramos, Blindness Product Specialist, Humanware
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: Beginner
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
The Monarch, developed by APH and Humanware, is a groundbreaking tactile device combining braille and tactile graphics on a refreshable surface. It enhances educational and vocational experiences for individuals with visual impairments by displaying text and graphics simultaneously. In higher education, it provides real-time access to materials, fostering inclusive learning and independent comprehension. The Monarch's innovative features have transformative potential for accessibility throughout
Abstract
The Monarch, developed by the American Printing House (APH) and Humanware, represents a groundbreaking advancement in assistive technology, specifically designed to enhance the educational and vocational experiences of individuals with a visual impairment. This presentation will delve into the Monarch’s design, innovative features, and its transformative potential in the college setting, along with its broader implications for accessibility throughout their lives.
The Monarch is a dynamic tactile device that combines braille and tactile graphics on the same refreshable surface, offering a robust tactile approach to learning that is equitable to their sighted peers. Its ability to display both text and graphics simultaneously on a refreshable surface sets it apart from traditional braille displays. This feature allows users to interact with and even produce complex graphs, diagrams, charts, and other visual content in a way that was previously inaccessible. The Monarch’s integration with digital content further enhances its utility, enabling seamless access to a wide range of educational materials and resources.
In higher education, the Monarch has the potential to revolutionize the way students with visual impairments engage with their curriculum. By providing real-time access to textbooks, worksheets, assessments, and interactive content, the Monarch supports a more inclusive learning environment. Case studies and testimonials from educators and students will highlight the device’s impact on improving comprehension, engagement, and academic performance. The Monarch’s ability to facilitate independent learning and foster a deeper understanding of complex subjects underscores it significance in higher education.
From the perspective of an accommodations coordinator responsible for ensuring students receive reasonable accommodations for their classes, the Monarch serves as an instant tactile solution for any content that would traditionally be embossed on physical.
Keypoints
- Monarch combines braille and tactile graphics, displaying text and graphics simultaneously on refreshable disp
- Monarch revolutionizes higher education by providing real-time access to textbooks, worksheets, and interactiv
- Monarch enhances productivity and accessibility in professional and daily contexts, improving quality of life.
Disability Areas
Vision
Topic Areas
Accessibility and Accommodation in the Current Political/Legal Environment, Alternate Format, Assistive Technology, Uncategorized
Speaker Bio(s)
Lauralyn Randles
Dr. Lauralyn Randles, EdD is a dedicated educator and researcher specializing in visual impairments. She earned her Doctor of Education degree from Illinois State University as a National Leadership of Sensory Disabilities scholar. Her research included preservice teaching methods and orientation and mobility service decisions. Dr. Randles is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) and a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI), with over a decade of experience working with children, young adults, and preservice teachers. Currently, Dr. Randles serves as the Director of Product Advancement at the American Printing House (APH). In this role, she leads two dynamic teams. One team is focused on modernizing our legacy line of products to ensure that they remain relevant and accessible for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The other team is dedicated to creating digital access to educational assessments and curricula, enhancing the learning experience for students. Dr. Randles leads these teams with a commitment to innovation and accessibility, working closely with our customer service team and the field to provide support and trainings.
Greg Stilson
Greg Stilson joined The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) in January of 2020 but has been building technology solutions for those who are blind or low vision for the past nearly 20 years. While at HumanWare, a leading assistive technology manufacturer, Greg lead the development of such products as the BrailleNote Touch braille tablet, Trekker Breeze talking GPS device, Brailliant braille displays, and VictorReader accessible audio book devices, among others. He spent two years with a startup company Aira, developing the Aira app and smart glasses platform, to create access to on-demand visual information. In 2020 he joined APH to further develop access solutions for those who are blind at all stages of life, from education to leisure. And in 2024 Greg lead the launch of the first of its kind Monarch Tactile Tablet. When not working, Greg lives in Wisconsin with his wife and two children. He is a huge sports fan, loves wine making and home brewing.
Rachel Ramos
Peter Tucic is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at HumanWare. He works with key organizations throughout the field of vision loss relating to their optimal use of HumanWare’s blindness products. Peter graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. Peter consistently presents at several annual conferences, and regularly creates written and video tutorials for a wide array of HumanWare products.