Judge Says U.S. Money Violates Rights of the Blind 898
An anonymous reader writes, "The United States is one of the few countries in the world whose currency isn't distinguishable by blind people. Most other nations use raised text, different-sized bills, or other methods to assist blind people in spending their money. If a recent decision by a federal court in D.C. survives appeal, however, that will soon change. Under Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, federal programs cannot deny 'meaningful access' to people with disabilities. Because blind people are unable to distinguish U.S. currency without assistance, the court held that they are denied meaningful access to their own money. U.S. District Judge James Robertson ordered the Treasury Department to come up with ways for the blind to tell bills apart. He said he wouldn't tell officials how to fix the problem, but he ordered them to begin working on it." How Appealing notes that Judge Robertson opened the door to a speedy appeal of his ruling.
Money Reader (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Don't do what china does (Score:2, Informative)
Re:FINALLY (Score:5, Informative)
For blind people they are slightly different lengths, which doesn't really effect non blind people.
Re:Don't do what china does (Score:3, Informative)
Exactly what they should do. Most currencies today are done like that, stacking currency is only done in the same bill, so you can tell the difference. Hence most other currencies uses different colours for each note.
The US is behind.
Re:FINALLY (Score:4, Informative)
Re:This is an easy thing to solve... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:FINALLY (Score:5, Informative)
The polymer that Australian Bank Notes are made from also has raised areas to help the blind and the clear windows are also different shapes with a smoother texture. Not just handy for blind people; they're also good anti counterfeiting measures.
The Wikipedia article on the Australian Dollar [wikipedia.org] has a nice chart of the Polymer Series [wikipedia.org]. Having lived in Germany (post Euro), Australia and the U.S.A. I can honestly say that Australian banknote technology is something that the U.S.A. and many other countries really should look into licensing.
Re:FINALLY (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Poor decision by a bad judge (Score:5, Informative)
Having easily-discernable banknotes will save everyone time, and will help the partially-sighted or blind a great deal. Why should they need to buy a device when it can be done by the money printers to everyone's benefit?
Re:Limited options (Score:5, Informative)
Other countries such as the UK regularly replace their currency designs, usually every 10 - 15 years or so.
If the US did the same, it would benefit maybe not just blind people but keep e.g. the North Korean counterfeiters on their toes.
Re:Money Reader (Score:3, Informative)
They are around $200, and she does not have the money for that.
Re:Didn't anyone think of RFID ?!?! (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Money Reader (Score:3, Informative)
Any transition would not be overnight. It'd basically just involve new bills, no mass callback. The mint's printing methods are changing all the time; however they take care not to change the superficial appearance. So the cost would be minimal. Paper money wears out fairly rapidly and after a few years most currency in circulation would be compliant. America is oddly conservative in its currency. Most countries redesign, sometimes radically, every 10 or 20 years.
Re:Automated Bill Readers (Score:3, Informative)
And this is something that I've always questioned about the US currency - in the UK we have different designs, patterns, textures, embossing, sizes and colours on each of our denominations. It doesn't generate any problems in terms of carrying or using the money and blind people can probably tell quicker than a sighted person what denomination the note that they have in their pocket is. I've always wondered how the bloody hell you are supposed to tell US bills apart if you are blind.
Incidentally, coins in the UK are similar to our notes - different sizes, metals, embossings, shapes etc.. I think almost every country has done this with coins, though, even if only for reasons of economy (e.g. the 1p coin not costing more than 1p to produce).
Re:FINALLY (Score:3, Informative)
The coins also have different ridges on the sides for that (the 50Bs. coin has ridges, the 100 one has a smooth edge, and the 500 one has alternating ridged and smooth areas).
Re:Money Reader (Score:5, Informative)
Besides, a more fair comparison would be not to similar-sized countries, but to other industrialized democracies. But, for the record, almost every country in Africa has (or had, in 1995) more accessible currency than the US.
US banknotes are ugly (Score:2, Informative)
http://www.banknotes.com/se62.htm [banknotes.com]
Re:The Federal Reserve is a PRIVATE BANK. (Score:3, Informative)
The Fed determines how much money is in circulation and places orders for paper money with the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, which is part of the Treasury Dept. (as is the US Mint which produces the nation's coins). The Treasury Department determines what the money looks like, because the Treasury Department is responsible for the security of the dollar.
The US Mint and Bureau of E&P produce money, and the Fed is their only customer.
Re:FINALLY (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Drive Through Tellers (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Drive Through Tellers (Score:3, Informative)
You're blind. You get a taxi to the store, stopping at the ATM on the way. Do you want to give the cab driver your card and PIN?