The Self-help Resource Center for Vision Loss
Identifying Paper Money and Coins If You are Blind or Have Low Vision
Legislation Update Alert #5: Meaningful Access Recommendations Approved by the Secretary
May 31, 2011: Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner approved the methods that the Department of the Treasury will use to provide blind and visually impaired individuals with meaningful access to U.S. currency. The Secretary approved that The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) will implement the following accommodations:
Tactile Feature: Adding a raised tactile feature to U.S. currency unique to each U.S. Federal Reserve note that it may lawfully change, which will provide users with a means of identifying each denomination via touch.
High Contrast Numerals: Continuing the program of adding large high contrast numerals and different colors to each denomination.
Currency Reader Program: Implementing a supplemental currency reader distribution program for blind and visually impaired U.S. citizens and those legally residing in the U.S.
You can read more about the process at the U.S. Bureau of Printing and Engraving: Meaningful Access Study.
Legislation Update Alert #4: Bureau of Engraving and Printing Launches EyeNote™App
April 21, 2011: The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has developed a free downloadable application (app) to assist the blind and visually impaired denominate US currency. The app is called EyeNote™. EyeNote™ is a mobile device app designed for Apple iPhone (3G, 3Gs, 4), and the 4th Generation iPod Touch and iPad2 platforms, and is available through the Apple iTunes App Store.
EyeNote™ uses image recognition technology to determine a note's denomination. You can read more about the process at the EyeNote™ App Overview.
Legislation Update Alert #3: Accessible Paper Currency
May 19, 2010: The Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) are issuing this Federal Register Notice pursuant to the ruling in American Council of the Blind v. Paulson that ordered Treasury to provide meaningful access to U.S. currency to people who are blind and visually impaired.
Summary of Proposed Design Modifications: Based upon the Study's findings and BEP's own expertise in manufacturing U.S. currency, BEP proposes to recommend to the Secretary of the Treasury the following:
I. Tactile Feature: BEP will develop and deploy a raised tactile feature.
II. Large, High-Contrast Numerals: BEP will continue its practice of adding large, high-contrast numerals and different and distinct color schemes to each denomination.
III. Supplemental Currency Reader Program: BEP also proposes to recommend a supplemental measure that involves a process to loan and distribute currency readers to the blind and visually impaired at no cost to them.
You can read more about this process at Meaningful Access to United States Currency for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons.
Legislation Update Alert #2: Accessible Paper Currency
August 18, 2009: As part of its effort "to create meaningful access to currency for the blind and visually impaired," the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) announced the results of a study analyzing options to assist the blind and visually impaired in denominating U.S. currency.
The study consisted of three phases:
Phase One: Conducted data analysis and gathered information regarding the demographics of the blind and visually impaired community.
Phase Two: Examined different technologies, features, and methods currently available.
Phase Three: Provided an economic cost-benefit analysis of different accommodation options.
You can read more about this issue at the U.S. Bureau of Printing and Engraving: Meaningful Access Study.
Legislation Update Alert #1: Accessible Paper Currency
May 20, 2008: The U.S. Treasury Department discriminates because it has failed to design and issue paper currency readily distinguishable to people with poor sight, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
By a 2-1 vote, the court upheld a ruling by U.S. District Judge James Robertson in a lawsuit filed by The American Council of the Blind against the U.S. Treasury Department.
