On this episode, we are talking about some exciting programs and resources for the Monarch. This is exciting because these programs help expand the Monarch’s reach for older children and young adults.

The portion of this podcast related to the Monarch RISE project was developed under a grant number H21F240052 from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1221e-3 and 3474). 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. 

On this Episode (In Order of Appearance)

• Sarah Gauer, APH Monarch Student Pilot Project Manager
• Erin Sigmund, APH Community Relations, DIF Fund Grant Policy Advisor Project Director
• Richard Rueda, Assistant Director of the ConnectCenter and DIF Fund Grant Project Coordinator

Additional Links

• APH X (Formerly Twitter)
• APH Facebook
• Email Monarch RISE
• Monarch RISE: Resources for Inclusion, Skills, and Employment
• 84.421F: DIF - Creating a 21st Century Workforce of Youth and Adults with Disabilities Through the Transformation of Education, Career, and Competitive Integrated Employment
• Email Change Makers

On this episode we are looking back at 2024, and talking about what’s on the horizon for 2025.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Craig Meador, APH President
• Anne Lancaster, APH Vice President, Chief Officer, Innovation and Strategy
• Paul Schroeder, APH Vice President, Impact & Outreach
• Jo Haas, APH Vice President, Advancement & The Dot Experience

Additional Links 

• The Dot Experience
• Meet Monarch
• Email Change Makers

On this episode of Change Makers, get ideas for the perfect holiday gift! 

Participants (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Kathryn Frederick, APH ConnectCenter, Digital Content Manager
• Richard Rueda, APH ConnectCenter, Assistant Director
• Melisa Matthews TVI, APH FamilyConnect, Digital Content Manager

Additional Links

• A. T. Guys - Affordable Technology
• Outdoor Adventure Trips
• TravelEyes - Group Holidays for Blind & Sighted Travelers

On this episode of Change makers, learn about APH's newest products. Then hear an update about the next National Coding Symposium and Day of Code. After that, learn about the most recent Connect the Dots event.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Karen Poppe, APH Tactile Literacy Product Manager, Educational Product Innovation
• Rosanne Hoffmann, APH Product Manager, Educational Product Innovation
• Leslie Weilbacher, APH Outreach Regional Specialist - Northwest Region
• Jeff Schwartz, APH Director of Regional Training and Outreach
• Kathy Nichols, APH Director of Education and Operations for the Dot Experience

Additional Links

• SENSEable STRIPS
• Tactile Demonstration Thermometer (UEB)
• Tactile Shape Slate
• Coding Symposium and Day of Code
• PPG Foundation
• Fox Family Foundation
• Connect the Dots

On this episode of Change makers, learn about solutions to Eye Pressing. Learn about what it is, how a bracelet can help subdue the need, and hear the personal story of how a similar bracelet helped with another urge.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Lee Huffman, APH Low Vision Product Manager, Product Development 
• Ellen Crupi, HabitAware Director of Awareness 

Additional Links

• Eye-Pressing in Children Who Are Blind or Low Vision
• OpticAware
• HabitAware

APH’s Annual Meeting is always a great time to meet colleagues, make connections, and learn tips and tricks from others in the blindness field. Hear from various attendees, award winners and InSights Artists on this recap of Annual Meeting.

Participants

• Attendees
• Award Winners
• InSights Artists

Additional Links

• American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
• Email GoodMaps
• GoodMaps User Community
• InSights Art Information

On this episode of Change Makers, learn about the wide world of careers in STEM. The opportunities are truly endless. After that, hear an update for the next Connect the Dots event. 


On This Episode (In Order of Appearance)

• Katrina Best, APH Accessible Coding Product Manager
• Allison Mello, Assistive Technology Specialist at California School of the Blind
• Saqib Shaikh, Microsoft Seeing AI Engineering Manager
• Erin Sigmund, APH Community Relations & Policy Advisor

Additional Links

• Suggest a Product Form
• Code and Go Robot Mouse
• CodeQuest (iPad and iPhone App)
• Code Jumper
• Snap Circuits Jr. 130 Access Kit
• RC Snap Rover Access Kit
• BRIC: Structures® Access Kit
• Snapino: Access Kit™
• APH’s Road to Code
• Meet Monarch
• UAH Engineering Summer Camps
• U.S. Advanced Cyber Academy
• FBI National Academy Associates
• Seeing AI - Talking Camera for the Blind
• Connect the Dots

On this episode of Change Makers, learn about how far braille displays have come, and where they're going.

On this Episode (In Order of Appearance)

• Mike Hudson, APH Dot Experience Curatorial and Content Lead
• Willow Free, APH Global Innovations Product Manager 

Additional Links

• Meet Monarch

On this Change Makers episode, learn how braille books are made. Hear about the process that goes into every book that is made from start to finish. After that, learn what’s new with the Reach and Match products.

On this Podcast (In Order of Appearance)

• Michael Haynes, Manager, Accessible Tests and Textbooks Department
• Jane Thompson, Director, Accessible Tests and Textbook Department
• Sally Hart, Accessible Textbook Tactile Graphics Editor
• Jonathan Carson, Braille and Accessible Media Editor III
• Mandy Lau, Founder & Director, Reach & Match®

Additional Links

• Email Mandy Lau
• Email Change Makers

What resources are available for job seekers? This episode breaks down a special toolkit that helps those looking for employment and build critical skills that will ultimately lead to a successful job search. 

Participants (In Order of Appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Richard Rueda, APH ConnectCenter Assistant Director
• Lori Scharff, APH ConnectCenter
• Marianne Haegeli, Program Director, NSITE Learning and Leadership
• Selene Monjaraz, Toolkit User

Additional Links

• Job Seeker’s Toolkit
• Personal Employment Stories
• The Gibney Family Foundation