Judge Orders Treasury Department to Make Paper Money Recognizable to Blind People
Theop
Posts: 515
Maybe there will be even more incentive to phase out smaller demonination bills in favor of coins.
LINK
Judge Orders Treasury Department to Make Paper Money Recognizable to Blind People
Tuesday , November 28, 2006
WASHINGTON — By keeping all U.S. currency the same size and texture, the government has denied blind people meaningful access to money, a federal judge said Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge James Robertson said the Treasury Department has violated the law, and he ordered the government 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 within 10 days. 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. "More than 100 of the other issuers vary their bills in size according to denomination, and every other issuer includes at least some features that help the visually impaired."
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.
He said the government was violating the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in government programs. The opinion came after a four-year legal fight.
"It's a landmark decision. I believe it will benefit millions of people," said Jeffrey A. Lovitky, attorney for plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
LINK
Judge Orders Treasury Department to Make Paper Money Recognizable to Blind People
Tuesday , November 28, 2006
WASHINGTON — By keeping all U.S. currency the same size and texture, the government has denied blind people meaningful access to money, a federal judge said Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge James Robertson said the Treasury Department has violated the law, and he ordered the government 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 within 10 days. 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. "More than 100 of the other issuers vary their bills in size according to denomination, and every other issuer includes at least some features that help the visually impaired."
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.
He said the government was violating the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in government programs. The opinion came after a four-year legal fight.
"It's a landmark decision. I believe it will benefit millions of people," said Jeffrey A. Lovitky, attorney for plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
Dave - Durham, NC
0
Comments
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
My Ebay Auctions
Just because other countries do something doesn't mean they are able to prevent counterfeiting. Maybe their currency isn't worth counterfeiting.
Just another short-sighted judge.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
The name is LEE!
<< <i>duh... like braille is so hard to put on paper
The problem with braille is that it wears out, gets distorted by crumpling, etc. Braille is good for books and for marking signs on buildings, but on paper it would wear down too quickly.
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
My Ebay Auctions
<< <i>They could put that little microchip in it to speak out the denomination like the greeting card industry uses. Then it can repeat the denomination in the top 20 languages of the world to make sure fewer people are left out. Either that or offer free bill readers that will read the bill and speak out the total and load it into a rechargeable debit card (less a fee, of course) >>
I don't know how expensive it'd be, but they could (theoretically, at least) put a bar code of some kind in that strip that runs through the bill. (I know they have that strip on 20's, but I'm not sure about lower denominations.)
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
My Ebay Auctions
TD
<< <i>The new notes from $10 on up are color coded.
TD >>
That of course will help the blind...
Braille is also expensive and timetaking. As an education major I had to listen to a few speeches about vision impaired students and whatnot. The cost of braille books for example is astronomically higher than your average text books, there's not many large-scale braille printers and often times it's all hand-coded.
Obviously the mint would have machines to put the braille on the bills but it would still be impractical due to aforementioned reasons. I think the judge is foolish as most blind/visually impaired people fold their bills differently so they can be sure of which ones are which values. Often times they will just ask for ones back in change.
-D
-Aristotle
Dum loquimur fugerit invida aetas. Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero.
-Horace
To Bochiman
<< <i>Maybe their currency isn't worth counterfeiting. >>
Maybe you should check the strength of the Euro vs. the Dollar. I'll trade you one for one... you give me euros, I give you dollars.
<< <i>Just another short-sighted judge. >>
Or PCGS Forum Member.
Money is a critical part of everyday life. That makes it an important part to have accessible to as many people as possible. Why are many of you against this? Would your opinion change if you were blind?
morris <><
** I would take a shack on the Rock over a castle in the sand !! **
Don't take life so seriously...nobody gets out alive.
ALL VALLEY COIN AND JEWELRY
28480 B OLD TOWN FRONT ST
TEMECULA, CA 92590
(951) 757-0334
www.allvalleycoinandjewelry.com
1. Total Population of the United States
About 262 million (1994-95).
2. A. Estimated number of blind & visually impaired people of all ages, including institutionalized and homeless people
7 to 10 million (1994-5).
2. B. Estimated number of blind & visually impaired people who live in households (i.e., excluding institutionalized and homeless) of all ages
6 to 8 million (1994-5).
Note: Only people who live in households, including those who live alone, are covered by surveys used for statistics on employment. The range of estimates exists because various national studies use different definitions and methods.
3. Estimated number and percentage of household-based blind & visually impaired people who are of working age, defined as 18 through 69 years old
About 2 to 3 million (1994-95) or 35-40% of all blind & visually impaired household-based people.
4. A. Employed: estimated number and percentage of working age (18 to 69 years old) blind & visually impaired people who are employed
1 to 1.3 million people or 40-45% (1994-95).
4. B. Not Employed: estimated number and percentage of working age (18 to 69 years old) blind & visually impaired people who are not employed
1 to 1.7 million people or 55-60% (1994-95).
5. A. Employed: estimated number and percentage of legally blind people of working age (18 to 69 years old) who are employed
About 160,000 people or 30% (1994-95).
5. B. Not employed: estimated number and percentage of legally blind people of working age (18 to 69 years old) who are not employed
About 375,000 people or 70% (1994-95).
6. A. Employed: estimated number and percentage of visually impaired (excluding legally blind) people of working age (18 to 69 years old) who are employed
About 1.1 million people or 45% (1994-95).
6. B. Not employed: estimated number and percentage of visually impaired (excluding legally blind) people of working age (18 - 69 years old) who are not employed
About 1.4 million people or 55% (1994-95).
7. A. Employed: estimated number and percentage of blind & visually impaired people of working age, by age category, who are employed:
Ages 18 through 54 years—About 868,000 people or 54% (1994-95)
Ages 55 through 69 years—About 217,000 people or 22% (1994-95)
7. B. Not employed: estimated number and percentage of blind & visually impaired people of working age, by age category, who are not employed:
Ages 18 through 54 years—About 740,000 people or 46% (1994-95)
Ages 55 through 69 years—About 769,000 people or 78% (1994-95)
8. A. Employed: estimated number and percentage of legally blind people of working age, by age category, who are employed:
Ages 18 through 54 years—About 145,000 people or 42% (1994-95)
Ages 55 through 69 years—About 17,000 people or 9% (1994-95)
8. B. Not employed: estimated number and percentage of legally blind people of working age, by age category, who are not employed:
Ages 18 through 54 years—About 200,000 people or 58% (1994-95)
Ages 55 through 69 years—About 171,000 people or 91% (1994-95)
9. A. Employed: estimated number and percentage of visually impaired people (excluding legally blind) of working age, by age category, who are employed:
Ages 18 through 54 years—About 733,000 people or 59% (1994-95)
Ages 55 through 69 years—About 149,000 people or 20% (1994-95)
9. B. Not employed: estimated number and percentage of visually impaired people (excluding legally blind) of working age, by age category, who are not employed:
Ages 18 through 54 years—About 509,000 people or 41% (1994-95)
Ages 55 through 69 years—About 598,000 people or 80% (1994-95)
10. A. Employed: estimated number and percentage of the general population with no serious impairments, of working age, who are employed:
Ages 18 through 54 years—About 97,649,000 people or 82% (1994-95)
Ages 55 through 69 years—About 1,453,000 people or 54% (1994-95)
10. B. Not employed: estimated number and percentage of the general population with no serious impairments, of working age, who are not employed:
Ages 18 through 54 years—About 21,435,000 people or 18% (1994-95)
Ages 55 through 69 years—About 9,756,000 people or 46% (1994-95)
<< <i>That judge is a wanker.
Just because other countries do something doesn't mean they are able to prevent counterfeiting. Maybe their currency isn't worth counterfeiting.
Just another short-sighted judge. >>
Bochiman
Did you graduate from Princeton University?
This took 4 years to hear...it was not decided over night.
Have you ever served on the bench as a Federal Judge?
These are the people that serve in the capcity to protect your rights here in America...perhaps you don't live here in the US of A?
Link to short bio of Judge Robertson
I think it's about time our paper money is modified to adapt to changing situations. We, the American's of this Great Nation are the champions of equal rights...let's show some of that right.
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
<< <i>
<< <i>That judge is a wanker...
Just another short-sighted judge.... >>
Bochiman
Did you graduate from Princeton University?
This took 4 years to hear...it was not decided over night.
>>
FOUR YEARS ? We need something for the hearing impaired if you ask me
<< <i>I think the judge is foolish as most blind/visually impaired people fold their bills differently so they can be sure of which ones are which values. Often times they will just ask for ones back in change.
-D >>
The problem is that folding bills a certain way works only if you know what bills you're getting back. In other words, you're relying on the kindness and honesty of strangers. How many people here would buy a $1 value meal from a fast food place with a $20 if you were blindfolded when the cashier gave the change back?
You don't really know what it's like to be dependent on the good will of complete strangers unless you're in that situation. As a handicapped person, I deal with that situation all the time. Most of the time it works out okay for me, but if I had actual money riding on it, I wouldn't be so confident in a good outcome.
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
My Ebay Auctions
When the reverses of the US bills were modified and that large number indicating the denomination was added to the lower right corner, he was delighted because he can actually read that feature! He says that the only thing he would have done differently was to put the large number at the top right corner so that it would be visible in a persons wallet. I hadn't thought about it, but when I looked at some bills in my own wallet I could see what he was talking about.
I think the ruling has some merit, and I actually think that sighted people might benefit from the decision as well. If and when this comes about, I'll bet that the collectible currency market explodes, because the notes that we have used and become familiar with will disappear, and will most likely generate quite a bit of collector interest.
I also think that the numisatic community can and should provide some input as to what changes could be made. We could ALL benefit from this, becaus e we could actually end up with some currency that is really beautiful....for a change!!!!!
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
First Place Winner of the 2005 Rampage design contest!
The idea of judges legislating from the bench is a bad one.
Our money should be recognizable for the blind. I'll bet it can be done in a way that also helps prevent counterfeiting as well.
This judge's ruling should be overturned as it is a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers.
<< <i>The cost of braille books for example is astronomically higher than your average text books >>
The higher expense is due, primarily, to economies of scale. Many orders of magnitude more conventional books are printed vs. braille books. Since everyone will use the same currency, I'm sure the cost of implementing any feature/technology could be reduced to a minimum.
My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
Oh, back the bus up, I guess that would be a coin huh?
I say let the judge enforce his decision.....
<< <i>This is just a typical liberal judge trying to make a name for himself..... >>
I'm usually one of those that has a similar reaction when I hear/read of some court decisions but, in this case I agree with the judge for 3 reasons:
1) There is a federal law that makes it illegal to have one group of citizens not have the same access as another because of a physical disability (ADA). Money is what allows someone to survive in a free market and the way paper bills are today, it is a huge impediment to blind people and other with vision impairments to have to depend on the kindness of others and/or other hokey methods.
2) Blind people should be able to tell money apart. It's their own money and they shouldn't depend on others.
3) It'll make our money more interesting and may convince me to start collecting currency
I just hope our money doesn't start looking and feeling like Monopoly money.
bills for the blind.
Camelot
<< <i>I think the paper money readers currently being used should be improved, then provided by insurance companies to all blind policyholders. The US paper money should not be changed. JMHO >>
If they're portable enough, the solution is just to have blind people carry money readers. My guess is that either a) they're not portable enough, or b) right now they're prohibitively expensive.
Does anyone know if the strip running through higher denomination bills (e.g., the 20) can be modified to be read by a pen reader? If you could scan a bill with a pen and have it audibly announce the denomination, that would solve the problem, too.
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
My Ebay Auctions
<< <i>291fifth, I don't think the judge legislated from the bench. He ruled the government was not following the law. That is the proper role for the judicial branch. >>
A poorly written law that has been abused many times. Here in my area there was a couple who used motorized scooters to get around. They would attend small shows, such as, in the case I know about, a stamp show, and cause a ruckus if the entrance didn't have a ramp suitable for thier scooters. (I witnessed them in action.) So far as I could tell they weren't stamp collectors. They just used the law to make trouble.
<< <i>If they're portable enough, the solution is just to have blind people carry money readers. My guess is that either a) they're not portable enough, or b) right now they're prohibitively expensive. >>
Probably both, but it's still a high tech solution to a low tech problem.
Just put bumps on the bills. Not only would it be a help to blind folk, it would also be an additional anticounterfeiting device.
<< <i>The idea of making money recognizable for the blind is a good one.
The idea of judges legislating from the bench is a bad one.
Our money should be recognizable for the blind. I'll bet it can be done in a way that also helps prevent counterfeiting as well.
This judge's ruling should be overturned as it is a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers. >>
I wonder if this judge had anything to do with the fact that there are braille instructions on the touch-screen drive-thru ATMs.
Also, if the ruling was as simiplistic as the article indicates (giving the rare benefit of the doubt to reporter types of limited candlepower that couldn't get facts straight to save themselves), the gummint could say they already has a plan for doing this as part of the ongoing currency modernization program, then tell the judge to go pound sand.
One thing I really don't like about multi-sized notes, and I'll use the euro as an example, is that they aren't wallet-friendly. The 50-euro and higher notes stick out of the tops of wallets designed to conform to North American currency. The 5 euro notes are sufficiently small to get lost between other notes and receipts, and no, I don't have a Costanza wallet.
Even if notes are different sizes, the blind may not be able to tell that they are, indeed U.S. currency and not fakes. As mentioned earlier, there are portable devices that can read the denomination of a note. It would be prudent to a blind person to have something like this to protect himself.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
<< <i>Should we print money in Chinese and Japanese and Spanish for those that live here and don't read English? >>
and money that says "no, don't buy it from them for that much" for the stupid people?
<< <i>Should we print money in Chinese and Japanese and Spanish for those that live here and don't read English? >>
I wouldn't go that far.
However, I do feel that our coinage should have numbers on it rather than words. We must have the only coins in the world that do not have numbers for the denominations.
Sad thing about using money to make money to spend money is that it costs money.
btw....there was a quote of a specific number of blind or sight impared people .... just think, there are more illeagle immigrants in the state of California alone that exceeds the total number of blind or sight impared ppl in the whole US of A....Let's get them to fix the problem..
Hell, I don't need to exercise.....I get enough just pushing my luck.
<< <i>
<< <i>I think the judge is foolish as most blind/visually impaired people fold their bills differently so they can be sure of which ones are which values. Often times they will just ask for ones back in change.
-D >>
The problem is that folding bills a certain way works only if you know what bills you're getting back. In other words, you're relying on the kindness and honesty of strangers. How many people here would buy a $1 value meal from a fast food place with a $20 if you were blindfolded when the cashier gave the change back?
You don't really know what it's like to be dependent on the good will of complete strangers unless you're in that situation. As a handicapped person, I deal with that situation all the time. Most of the time it works out okay for me, but if I had actual money riding on it, I wouldn't be so confident in a good outcome. >>
You're visually handicapped?
Through interviews and discussions I've only come across one visually handicapped person that knew for certain that knew they had been ripped off for money. Bills generally come from banks initially for visually impaired people as well as seeing people. Once the bills are folded at the bank it's really not that difficult. If you ask for tens for example, instead of twenties, when you get ones back there will be less of them to ditch at the next place. There is no reason they should recieve an astronomically large amount of ones in change change unless they pay for something with hundreds, which would of course be foolish.
There's many adept blind people, as well as some that are inept. The same could be said about seeing people that are easily ripped off for money in front of their own eyes.
-D
-Aristotle
Dum loquimur fugerit invida aetas. Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero.
-Horace