When TIME Magazine unveiled its list of the Best Inventions of 2025, one name stood out in the Accessibility category, the Monarch, a braille device that allows readers who are blind or have low vision to explore both braille and tactile graphics on the same digital surface.
For HumanWare, this recognition represents something deeply meaningful. It’s a moment that honors not only technology, but the people and ideas that made it possible.
Recognizing years of HumanWare innovation
The Monarch brings together decades of HumanWare expertise in braille design and accessibility. With its 10-line by 32-cell refreshable braille display, it’s the first device that combines braille and tactile graphics seamlessly on a single platform. This innovation helps students and professionals’ access digital books, diagrams, and charts in a more immediate, intuitive and cost-effective way.
As Bruce Miles, General Manager, Professional Solutions at EssilorLuxottica and Head of HumanWare, shared when the recognition was announced: “We are deeply honored that the Monarch has been named one of the best inventions of 2025 by TIME. In collaboration with our partners at APH, we have transformed braille experience for students, professionals, and lifelong learners around the world. Thanks to our groundbreaking HumanWare accessibility suite Keysoft, the first to seamlessly integrate braille and tactile graphics, we’ve challenged the status quo and opened new possibilities in access and inclusion.
This recognition is also a reflection of teamwork. Engineers, designers, accessibility experts, and HumanWare colleagues across departments contributed to building a product that expands what’s possible through touch.
“This achievement reflects the excellence, perseverance, and imagination of our people.” said Louis-Philippe Massé, Vice President of Innovation at HumanWare. Creating one of the most innovative devices of the year is no small feat, and I couldn’t be prouder of what our team has accomplished.”
Beyond the recognition itself, the Monarch represents HumanWare’s mission in action, empowering people who are blind or have low vision to access education, pursue careers, and live with greater independence. By giving students, the tools to learn and compete on equal footing, innovations like the Monarch contribute to breaking down barriers that still affect employment and inclusion in the blind community.
Beyond recognition
For the students and professionals already using Monarch, TIME’s acknowledgment validates what they experience every day; that accessible design can be transformative. The device continues to evolve through software improvements and new tactile features, ensuring that innovation never stops at launch.
Learn more
- Read the TIME article here about the Monarch’s inclusion in the Best Inventions of 2025.
- Explore the latest Monarch firmware update v1.3 to discover new features and accessibility improvements.
- Visit the APH Blog: A Historic Leap — Monarch Gains Multiline Screen Reader Support and Premieres First Public eBraille Book to learn about new capabilities with JAWS and NVDA integration.
- Read TechCrunch’s feature: “The Monarch could be the next big thing in Braille” for early media coverage of the technology’s impact.
- See how the Monarch is changing classrooms in Kentucky Teacher’s article on new braille reading devices.
- Discover how educators are adopting the Monarch in APH’s “Soaring Across the Globe” training feature.
- Read about HumanWare’s inclusion in Forbes’ Accessibility 100 list, highlighting the company’s ongoing leadership in accessibility and innovation.
