Changing Lives with The National Prison Braille Network

On today’s episode, we explore the incredible impact of the National Prison Braille Network—a groundbreaking initiative that’s transforming lives by empowering individuals to produce braille materials for students who are blind or low vision. Discover how this program fosters rehabilitation, literacy, and opportunity both inside and outside prison walls.

Then, stick around for our Tech Takeaway, where we break down everything you need to know about updating your Monarch device.

On this episode (in order of appearance)

• Narrator
• Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
• Jayma Hawkins, APH National Prison Braille Senior Director
• Jennifer Wenzel, APH Technology Product Specialist
• Michael Dennis, APH Technology Product Specialist
• Matt Bittinger, APH Monarch Technical Support Specialist

Additional Links and Information

• National Prison Braille Network
• Monarch Tech Support - 833-447-8444 
  • Hours 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. est
• Email Monarch Support

Transcript

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Narrator 0:00

Welcome to Changemakers, a podcast from APH. We're talking to people from around the world who are creating positive change in the lives of people who are blind or have low vision. Here's your host.

Sara Brown 0:15

Hello, and welcome to Change Makers. I'm Sara Brown, APH's Public Relations Manager. And on today's episode, we're diving into the powerful work being done by the National Prison Braille Network, an initiative transforming lives behind prison walls and beyond. And later, don't miss our latest tech takeaway, where we break down the tools that are making a difference in the field. On today's tech takeaway, we'll learn about updating the Monarch, and there's a special guest. Up first, I'm joined by Jayma Hawkins, APH's National Prison Braille Senior Director, to talk about the mission, the impact, and inspiring stories coming out of this unique program. Hello, Jayma. Can you introduce yourself and let our listeners know who you are and what it is that you do at APH?

Jayma Hawkins 1:02

My name is Jayma Hawkins. I am the National Prison Braille Senior Director for APH. As far as what I do, I do a lot. Most of my job is to bring different areas of our field together that may not know each other. For instance, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Education, they don't know each other. They don't know what the other does. So I build a bridge of communication between the two so that we can start that relationship and create prison braille programs in states that they do not exist. Thank you.

Sara Brown 1:46

And can you give our listeners just a brief overview of what the National Prison Braille Network is and share how it got started?

Jayma Hawkins 1:52

The National Prison Braille Network is a group of professionals that come from either the corrections field, the education field, or it also includes people who have graduated from prison braille programs and gone on to be not only productive citizens but lucrative leaders in our field. old. It got started back in 2002, and it started as a focus group with about five or six people around the table, and now it's grown into a nationwide movement.

Sara Brown 2:34

And do you know what inspired the creation of this program and how has it evolved over the years? I

Jayma Hawkins 2:41

think that what inspired it was talk between the Department of Corrections and the Department of Education on why are we having these people get certified? and multi-certified in Braille code. But then when they are released, we aren't helping them get a job. Why aren't we training them to keep those skills on the outside and to continue doing the great work that they do? So that started as a very few people and it has really skyrocketed. And now we have, you know, several states involved and we are up to about, I want to say, 45 prison braille programs in 31 states.

Sara Brown 3:30

And how does the NPBN connect prisons, individuals, and educational institutions across the country?

Jayma Hawkins 3:36

The Prison Braille Forum that we have every year as a part of APH's conference, annual meeting conference, brings all of these folks together. We also have a website, www. where it gives a lot of information about prison braille programs and success stories and pictures and re-entry. You can also email that website and that sends it straight to Christine Ginobili and myself and we respond.

Sara Brown 4:16

And can you talk about what a typical day looks like for someone working in the Prison Braille Transcription Program?

Jayma Hawkins 4:23

Each program is different in their working hours, what they work on, the kind of equipment they use, their security guidelines, but typically it is run as a business. So the Kentucky Women's Prison, we call it KCI, Kentucky Correctional Industries, has a program and they work from 8 o'clock in the morning until three each day. And they do textbook contracts for APH, all of the tactile graphics. And so it's run as a business.

Sara Brown 4:59

And how are incarcerated individuals trained to become certified Braille transcribers?

Jayma Hawkins 5:05

There is a self-taught course through the National Library Service and through National Federation for the Blind, which we know is NFB. And it is, I think it can of 19 lessons that you take at your own pace. Then you take a reading test with NFB, and when you pass that, you can start a manuscript. A manuscript is about 35 pages of braille from a leisure reader. You turn that in, and if you pass, you have a national certification that can go anywhere with you. There is also a mass certification, a formatting certification, and that one is where you would put information in textbooks. That is offered through the National Braille Association. There are music certifications, proofreading certifications. There are no tactile graphics certifications, but there are tactile graphic guidelines.

Sara Brown 6:04

And what types of materials are they producing? Is it just textbooks or is it other things as well?

Jayma Hawkins 6:10

They produce textbooks, tactile graphics, large print. They produce worksheets and digital files.

Sara Brown 6:20

Nice. And talk about the quality control. How is that handled to ensure the accuracy of the Braille materials?

Jayma Hawkins 6:27

Each program sets up their own process for proofreading. KCI mirrors what APH does, and we have a person who holds the print and follows along, and a person who reads the Braille out loud. And they go through two proofreadings before any project is handed in. I can't say what other programs do, but we have served as kind of a leader in that, and we encourage them to follow suit for the best results.

Sara Brown 7:04

And what impact does this program have on those individuals that are incarcerated, both while they're incarcerated and after release?

Jayma Hawkins 7:14

These programs have a great impact on the people who participate in them. Learning Braille in prison promotes self-discipline. It teaches computer skills, bio-organization, time management, teamwork, and many other soft skills that are needed on the workforce no matter where you go. So they learn a lot more than Braille. And every Everything they learn really serves them well upon their release.

Sara Brown 7:48

Do you have any success stories you could share from individuals who've continued to work in Braille transcription after leaving prison?

Jayma Hawkins 8:06

We have several success stories. One of which is the president of the National Braille Association... Presently. Was released from an Ohio prison braille program. Other people who were released have serve on the National Braille Association committees. They chair committees they give professional development workshops, at conferences. They have lucrative businesses. We have all kinds of success.

Sara Brown 8:28

It sounds like they're thriving. Talk about how this program also benefits the students who rely on these braille materials.

Jayma Hawkins 8:36

I think for the first time in history, what we're seeing is that the trend of children now can graduate from college. and are professionals and have families and homes and are just really productive citizens as a result of the education they receive and the education that's available to them now that may have not been available 30 years ago.

Sara Brown 9:16

And let's talk about some challenges because there's challenges everywhere, no matter how great everything is. What are some of the biggest challenges NPBN faces, whether it's socially or logistically, legally, or in terms of funding?

Jayma Hawkins 9:31

Prison braille programs always face challenges due to security guidelines. They are not allowed to have internet. Fortunately, a lot of the braille software and tactile graphic software, they do offer licenses that do not require internet to operate. Other challenges are, as we are experiencing ourselves, budget cuts. And Department of Corrections is not much different than Department of Education and many other governmental departments that are half-staffed. So they have a lot of hurdles.

Sara Brown 10:11

And how do the facilities handle the technical requirements, like the specialized equipment or the software needed for braille production?

Jayma Hawkins 10:20

Most of the software companies offer a license that does not require internet to use. So that does help. It helps programs to flourish and work more efficiently using software. Some of the hurdles you may face in that is the lack of budget to update the software and the tactile graphics software, not to mention the computers.

Sara Brown 10:49

Now, are there any misconceptions about this program? And if so, would you like to clear anything up or address those misconceptions people might have about the National Prison Braille Network?

Jayma Hawkins 11:02

The misconception, the main one, is that they are all the same and they're not. Some states pay inmates to work. Some states do not pay inmates to work. So the misconception is that all states and prison bureau programs start at the same time, end at the same time, get paid the same, do the same kind of work, have the same equipment, have the same software. And what we see is every program is different.

Sara Brown 11:31

Can you talk about some of the key partners involved in making this program work, whether it's other nonprofits or state departments or educational institutions?

Jayma Hawkins 11:41

Well, the American Printing House has been very supportive. Other organizations, most transcription organizations like the National Braille Association has a prison braille committee. So they go to prisons, they give workshops. Other key partners would be nonprofits in your state as far as updating computers and software. We find that the Lions Clubs are very supportive of vision and the vision efforts. And so we've had a lot of good luck having people go back into their state to ask for funding on a local level.

Sara Brown 12:21

Now talk about how do the prisons get selected or approved to start a braille production program like this?

Jayma Hawkins 12:28

Well, that goes back to really one of the first questions, which is a lot of my job. If an ex officio trustee does not have a program in their state and they think they would like to, then I start working with corrections to bring those two islands together and talk to them. A lot of the words really getting out, and I go to an NCIA conference every year, which is National Correctional Industries Association. And what I found in the last two or three years is that braille is mentioned in every workshop I go to. So the word's really getting out, and I have corrections officials come to me saying, hey, we don't have one in our state. Will you help us start one?

Sara Brown 13:16

Now, talk about if there are any opportunities for volunteers or external organizations to help support this work.

Jayma Hawkins 13:23

Well, as we discussed before, the National Braille Association is very supportive. APH is very supportive. You have retired teachers. of the visually impaired, which we call TBIs, that may go into the program to support it. And that's what I would qualify as a volunteer.

Sara Brown 13:45

And where do you see the National Prison Braille Network in the next five years or the next 10 years?

Jayma Hawkins 13:53

With technology the way it is and eBraille movement coming along, I think it's going to be mainstreamed. I think that it's going to be better than ever and bigger than ever. And that we will get a lot more Braille done more efficiently and much cheaper.

Sara Brown 14:11

Are there any exciting projects or initiatives that you can share or let us know about?

Jayma Hawkins 14:18

We have just completed a national survey. As you can imagine, Department of Corrections statistics and numbers and data are very hard to obtain. And so we reached out to ex officio trustees, all prison braille programs, and sent a survey. And we even included the team members and sent that document in a file format, which they could have. And we gathered the first data ever collected. And we plan to present that at the upcoming National Prison Braille Forum. So yes, we're very excited about it.

Sara Brown 14:59

Lovely. And that forum will be held in October at APH's Annual Meeting, correct?

Jayma Hawkins 15:05

Yes, on October 15th.

Sara Brown 15:07

Perfect. And if listeners are interested in getting involved or to support the mission, what do they need to do? Where can they go? Is there a website online? What do they need to do?

Jayma Hawkins 15:17

Yes, I would email our website online and ask us whatever kinds of questions or comments or anything. It's interactive and we will get right back with you.

Sara Brown 15:29

And my last question is always, is there anything you would like to discuss or share that we might not have touched on?

Jayma Hawkins 15:36

I don't think so, but we're always interested and excited to meet new people and to be contacted. So contact us.

Sara Brown 15:46

All right. Jayma, thank you so much for coming on Change Makers and talking to me today.

Jayma Hawkins 15:52

Thank you, Sara, for having us.

Sara Brown 15:57

Now let's shift gears into this episode's Tech Takeaway, where we spotlight the latest tools and tips in accessible technology. Today, we're diving in how to update your Monarch device, plus there's a very special guest joining the segment. Take it away, team.

Jennifer Wenzel 16:11

Hello, this is Jennifer Wenzel, and welcome to our third edition of Tech Takeaways.

Michael Dennis 16:18

And my name is Michael Dennis, and today we have a really fun topic for you guys. We will talk about updating the Monarch.

Jennifer Wenzel 16:28

Yes, as school is getting back in session for many of you. And many of you will know that we have a new update for The Monarch with many exciting features. So it is a great thing to be able to update. So Michael is going to talk with you about the importance of updating and how to update if you are connected to the internet. And then I'll talk with you about how to update offline. And then we have an exciting guest for you.

Michael Dennis 16:54

Our first guest, actually, also in our podcast.

Jennifer Wenzel 16:58

Yes. Actually, that's true.

Michael Dennis 17:01

Okay, let's kick off with why it's even important to update the Monarch. Jennifer already dropped that about a month ago. We released the 1.3 update, which is not only coming with some new great features such as the Wing It app, but also every update solves problems. So we are always working with the community together to figure out any bugs. And we're always really happy to get any bugged. reports, and that is also what's solved then in the updates. And as I said already, you will also get with the updates always the newest applications on the Monarch next to the Wing It app. The Monarch also has a so-called Braille terminal mode, which offers you now the access also to use the Monarch basically as a Braille device with your laptop or computer together. So there's always cool things coming with the new updates. And I can already ensure everyone that there's some cool other things already in the pipeline for the next updates. And the really simple way to update actually the Monarch is with the so-called key updater. That is an application you can find in all applications. You just use the first letter navigation and get to key updater. If you just read along, you also can use point and click. And when it opens, it will automatically already tell you if an update is available when you're connected to the Wi-Fi and will also guide you then step by step through the whole process. And one very important thing is that you actually should plan about one hour of time to update the Monarch because it's not only downloading the update, depending on how fast your Wi-Fi connection is. It's also installing, and that is really important that you plan a little bit more time, rather safe than sorry. And if you're not connected to the internet, Jennifer knows how to update your monog in that case.

Jennifer Wenzel 19:03

Absolutely. So one important thing to note is that once you do update your Monarch, you can use Key Updater to find the release notes for the update. And those are really, really great to read. Anytime you update a product, it's great to be able to read the release notes and find out what is new with the update. So it will talk to you about new apps, new features, and bugs that were fixed. And so there's some fun things in this update, for instance, that you can actually open images some now with Ecosia. And in as well as all the other great features that Michael mentioned. It is important to note that the screen reader Braille terminal mode does work, but right now it's working with beta version of JAWS. And I believe still the beta version of NVDA, but in the fall that will change. And so everything will be in place to be able to use your Monarch with your screen reader, which is very exciting. So if you are not connected to the internet or you have to update multiple Monarchs, or if your internet is just no choice, very slow because these are big files to download, there is a way to update your Monarch offline. So to do that, you'll go to the Monarch product page on our APH website. And I'm hopeful that we will be able to provide a link in the show notes for this product page. And on the product page, you will be able to go to the manuals and downloads section. And then you will find the offline update file. And it is as a zipped folder, a compressed folder. So you will download that. Then you will need to extract the files into a new folder. Once you do that, the best way to do it is then to copy that extracted folder onto a USB drive and make sure it's copied in the root of your drive. Then you will put the drive in to your Monarch and it may recognize it right away. But most likely, you will need to copy those files into the Downloads folder of your Monarch. So make sure there's nothing else in that Downloads folder. It works cleanest if there's nothing else there. Copy those files, that uncompressed folder, into your Download folder of your Monarch. And then you can use Key Updater and follow the step-by-step prompts that will happen in order to update. You should also leave about an hour to do this You won't need quite as long for this. It is a bit faster to do it this way because you won't need to download it. It will just need to install. So it is a little bit faster, but still does take a bit of time. And you want to make sure you have plenty of time for any possible things that go wrong, which always seems to happen with technology. So just give yourself about an hour so you can relax and update it this way. And that's a very smooth update online process. So now I said that we have an exciting guest for And the reason we have a guest is that sometimes when there's updating, I mentioned that sometimes, you know, technology will give you issues. And sometimes when you have issues, you might be wondering about contacting customer support. And we have a wonderful customer support team here at APH, and many of them work specifically with the Monarch. So we thought we would bring someone on here to talk to you about customer service and answer some questions. And that way you have sort of a friendly voice already in mind when you're thinking about customer support. So I would like to introduce him now. And Matt, if you could introduce yourself and talk to us about your role here at APH, that would be great.

Matt Bittinger 22:43

Sure. Hello, my name is Matt. I am the Monarch Technical Support Specialist here at APH. And I've worked at APH for about two years now. I started in customer service, and now I work with the Monarch. And I also assist the tech team with a bunch of our other tech products here. So yeah, that pretty much says what I do.

Michael Dennis 23:12

Yeah, thanks, Matt, for being our first guest on our podcast. And one question people might wonder about is, do customers have to troubleshoot every available option already before contacting the customer service team?

Unknown 23:27

Yeah.

Matt Bittinger 23:28

No, they don't have to. It's always good to keep track of any steps that you perform, though. Prior to a call, that would help us to determine what's already been tried. But other than that, no. I mean, you can call us, and we would be happy to help with any issue you might have.

Jennifer Wenzel 23:52

Excellent. So what is the best way to contact customer support with Monarch issues specifically? I understand there's a special number for that.

Matt Bittinger 24:01

There is. You can call our Monarch support line at 833-447-8444 and that will get you through to our Monarch tech support team. You can also email monarchsupport @aph.org and we'll be happy to help you out that way too.

Michael Dennis 24:26

And Matt, what are the hours for the Monarch customer support?

Matt Bittinger 24:31

Our hours are 8 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Jennifer Wenzel 24:38

Excellent. So that's some great hours there. So can you tell us about three things that a customer might do to make their experience with you or anyone on the team as smooth as possible?

Matt Bittinger 24:52

One really important thing is to call when the device is nearby, including all staff. You want to make sure that all the IT, if they're required, IT people are there for connecting to email accounts or Wi-Fi are there. Something else I would say, plug the device into a wall outlet beforehand because that's going to make sure that it is charged and ready for anything that we, any troubleshooting we might need to do. Also, just allow plenty of time for troubleshooting because sometimes, depending on your issue, it may take several steps to go through it. But if you allow plenty of time, that'll make sure that we can troubleshoot it and get your issue solved much quicker.

Michael Dennis 25:52

Awesome, Matt. Thank you for that. And is there a final message you'd like to leave with our listeners about customer support?

Matt Bittinger 26:00

that we're here to assist with any issues and we help with unboxing and setup troubleshooting and you know pretty much anything else that you may have so feel free to call us and we'll be happy to help you with your issue

Jennifer Wenzel 26:18

Thank you so much, Matt, for coming on and letting everyone know about these important ways of contacting you and what you can help with. And now everyone can feel comfortable and confident contacting customer support for any needs you may have. And you have a chance of getting Matt on the phone or someone else from their great team. So thank you so much. And we've enjoyed having you here on Tech Takeaways. Glad that you're here. If you have any ideas for future podcasts, podcast, please email changemakers at APH.org. I'm Jennifer Wenzel.

Michael Dennis 26:56

And I'm Michael Dennis. And we're looking already forward to welcoming you back in the next episode of our Tech Takeaways.

Sara Brown 27:03

Thank you. Thank you so much for listening to this episode of Changemakers. I've put links in the show notes to the National Prison Braille Network website and the Monarch Tech Support phone number and their email address. Do you have a podcast topic? Be sure to send my and as always, be sure to look for ways you can be a Change Maker this week.