Federal Judge orders Treasury to make bills recognizable to blind people

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The government discriminates against blind people by printing money that all looks and feels the same, a federal judge said Tuesday in a ruling that could change the face of American currency.

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.

[...]

The American Council of the Blind has proposed several options, including printing bills of differing sizes, adding embossed dots or foil to the paper or using raised ink.

"Of the more than 180 countries that issue paper currency, only the United States prints bills that are identical in size and color in all their denominations," Robertson wrote.

[...]

Government attorneys argued that forcing the Treasury Department to change the size of the bills or add texture would make it harder to prevent counterfeiting. Robertson was not swayed.

"The fact that each of these features is currently used in other currencies suggests that, at least on the face of things, such accommodations are reasonable," he wrote.

[...]

The Treasury Department had no comment on the ruling Tuesday. The government has 10 days to decide whether to appeal.

[...]

In court documents, government attorneys said changing the way money feels would be expensive. Cost estimates ranged from $75 million in equipment upgrades and $9 million annual expenses for punching holes in bills to $178 million in one-time charges and $50 million annual expenses for printing bills of varying sizes.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/20...-currency_x.htm

Read the entire ruling at http://news.findlaw.com/usatoday/docs/trea...s112806opn.html

[Fandango 1,440]

I think that's a BRILL idea!

When I was living with D, the notes there are all different sizes. One of the guys from our local (who's blind) asked me how blind people in the US tell notes apart & I had no answer for him

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I think that's a BRILL idea!

When I was living with D, the notes there are all different sizes. One of the guys from our local (who's blind) asked me how blind people in the US tell notes apart & I had no answer for him

In some cases, even NON-blind people can give the wrong notes due to the uniform colour-scheme; my mum once gave a C-note instead of a $10--and never got back the owed change.

For non-blind, Canada was always somewhat better, as the notes are different-coloured (but not different-sized). Also become a little more blind-friendly with the phaseout of C$1 (replaced by 11-sided loonie) and C$2 (absolutely hated in AB, replaced by "toonie" which isn't--toonie is round, and larger/thicker than loonie; plus different metals make the difference more obvious).

Howzabout coins-only as a solution?

Edited November 29, 2006 by CherryXS

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If they can make coins that weigh as much as paper, sure

[Kathryn41 3,205]

The bills in Canada are also all the same size, but all of the new bills are now printed with braille dots on the upper right hand corner of the bills. I would think adding such a feature would make the bills even more difficult to conterfeit rather than easier. Using a variety of colours - which the US has started to do to a limited degree - helps the sighted to prevent errors though, not the blind. Braille numbers make a lot of sense.

[kim&james 0]

woohoo! I really hate the money over here...

In Australia not only are the notes different sizes but different colours as well. It really does make a big difference on how easy it is to use for all people but especially the blind.

However on saying this... beloved other has informed me that there is no way they are going to change the notes due to the fact that it has been suggested time and again and too many people dont want to change the way it is due to the history of the people on the notes and the notes themselves being a part of the identity of the nation...

He thinks they should be changed though but he is used to it and not bothered either way.

[GaryC 7]

I recall that in the movie "Ray" Ray Charles always asked to be paid in $1 bills so he wouldn't get cheated.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

One of the guys from our local (who's blind) asked me how blind people in the US tell notes apart & I had no answer for him

My ex's grandpa was blind and he could tell you exactly what bill he'd hand you. Not from the feel of it or anything - he just knew what money he had and how it was lined up in his little money clip. Quite amazing.

[Carol&Marc 0]

What I have always thought was kinda strange.Why the he!! do they have braille at drive-up ATM's?

[Caladan 19]

What I have always thought was kinda strange.Why the he!! do they have braille at drive-up ATM's?

Because if you manufacture ATMs, it's easier and cheaper to sell one kind that is suitable for both walk-up ATMs and drive-up ATMs rather than to manufacture two types of face-plates.

[mRx 16]

What I have always thought was kinda strange.Why the he!! do they have braille at drive-up ATM's?

Because if you manufacture ATMs, it's easier and cheaper to sell one kind that is suitable for both walk-up ATMs and drive-up ATMs rather than to manufacture two types of face-plates.

good point

[Artegal 1]

"Of the more than 180 countries that issue paper currency, only the United States prints bills that are identical in size and color in all their denominations," Robertson wrote.

This story is bogus--180 countries issue paper currency not likely when you consider this:

Other nations besides the United States use the U.S. dollar as their official currency, a process known as official dollarization. Ecuador (2000), El Salvador (2001), and East Timor (2000) all adopted the currency independently. The former members of the U.S.-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, which included Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands, chose not to issue their own currency after becoming independent, having all used the U.S. dollar since 1944. Panama also uses the U.S. dollar (since 1904), although it issues its own currency (coins only). Two British dependencies also use the U.S. dollar: the British Virgin Islands (1959) and Turks and Caicos Islands (1973).

Additionally, the local currencies of Bermuda, the Bahamas, Panama, and a few other states can be freely exchanged at a 1:1 ratio for USD. The currencies of Barbados and Belize are similarly convertible at an approximate 2:1 ratio. Argentina used a fixed 1:1 exchange rate between the Argentine peso and the U.S. dollar from 1991 until 2002. In Lebanon, one dollar is equal to 1500 Lebanese pound, and is used inter­changeably with local currency as de facto legal tender. The exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar and the United States dollar has also been linked since 1983 at HK$7.8/USD , and pataca of Macau, pegged to Hong Kong dollar at MOP1.03/HKD, indirectly linked to the U.S. dollar at roughly MOP8/USD. Several oil-producing Gulf Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, peg their currencies to the dollar, since the dollar is the currency used in the international oil trade.

The renminbi used by the People's Republic of China was informally and controversially pegged to the dollar in the mid-1990s at Y8.28/USD. Likewise, Malaysia pegged its ringgit at RM3.8/USD in 1997. On July 21, 2005 both countries removed their pegs and adopted managed floats against a basket of currencies.

The dollar is also used as the standard unit of currency in international markets for commodities such as gold and petroleum. Even foreign companies with little direct presence in the United States, such as the European company Airbus, list and sell their products in dollars, although some argue this is attributed to the aerospace market being dominated by American companies.

At the present time, the U.S. dollar remains the world's foremost reserve currency, primarily held in $100 denominations. The majority of U.S. notes are actually held outside the United States.

In Peru and in Korea the US Dollar was the de facto legal tender--as I am sure it is in many other countries. And I might add that in both Korea and Peru the bills were all the same dimensions--though different in Color. But blind people would not be able to see color anyway--and I don't want a bunch of different shaped bills.

[aussiewench 9]

But blind people would not be able to see color anyway--and I don't want a bunch of different shaped bills.

I do I get robbed blind cause I cant tell the difference easily.

[mRx 16]

I dont see what the big deal is. Cash is the past. Electronic funds are the current and the future. Visa, Mastercard, etc.. Its alot easier to use than cash, and although not completely safe, its alot safer than cash. I never use cash, except for when i use the vending machines. And I foresee those will start taking visa soon too.

[Mags 112]

I think it is an excellent idea. The UK has different coloured notes and they are all different sizes. £5 is the smallest, going up to the £50 which is the largest. Blind or visually handicapped people can easily tell our notes.

Our coins vary greatly in size, texture and weight.

I'm going to miss the UK money. USA money is, IMO, a little boring. All the same green (apart from slight variations), same sizes...and I REALLY find it hard to tell what is what.

Matt ~ Cash is not really in the past. There are alot of small shops and companies that can't afford to go cashless, nor will they be able to for many, many years. Electronic funds are becoming more prevalent, but I think it is going to be a long time before it takes over completely. It certainly won't happen your life time.