There are several different ways to identify your United States bills and coins independently:

Fold Your Bills

The folding system is a tactual method you can use to tell your different bills apart independently. For example:

• Keep the $1 bill flat and unfolded
• Fold the $5 bill in half
• Fold the $10 bill in half lengthwise
• Fold the $20 bill like a $10 bill lengthwise, and then in half again, like the $5 bill:

Electronic Money Identifier

A portable talking money identifier will verbally announce the denomination of all old and new bills (from $1 to $100), and an enhanced version will vibrate for users who are deaf-blind. The Note Teller is available from Independent Living Aids, Inc.

Low Vision Techniques

• Large Print Numbers: Paper money in the United States is now produced with larger print numbers on the back lower right hand corner of the $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills. With good lighting and, if needed, a hand-held magnifier, you may be able to determine the denominations of your paper money.

See Home Modifications and Reading with Low Vision Optical Devices for more information about lighting and magnification.

• Use a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV): A CCTV, also called an electronic video magnifier, is equipment for reading that consists of a stand-mounted or hand-held video camera that displays a magnified image on a video monitor, television screen, or computer monitor. A CCTV can help you identify your bills by magnifying each denomination. After you identify each bill, you can use the folding system or place your bills in an adaptive wallet that separates them by denomination.

See Non-Optical Devices for more information about CCTVs.

Legislation Update Alert: Accessible Paper Currency

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - 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.

The Council accused the department and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson of violating the Rehabilitation Act, which was meant to ensure that people with disabilities can live independently and fully participate in society.

The appeals court rejected the Treasury Department's arguments that accommodating the Council's proposals would impose an undue burden on the government, and sent the case back to Robertson to address the group's request for relief.

The American Council of the Blind has proposed several possible changes to U.S. currency, including different size bills for different denominations, embossed dots and raised printing.

"A large majority of other currency systems have accommodated the visually impaired, and the secretary does not explain why U.S. currency should be any different," Judge Judith Rogers wrote in the appeal court's opinion.

VisionAWARE will provide updates to this legislation news as they become available.

Identifying Coins

It is possible to identify your coins by touch. In the United States, coins have smooth smooth or ridged edges and are different sizes.

• Nickels and pennies have smooth edges, and the nickel is larger than the penny.
• Quarters and dimes have ridged edges, and the quarter is much larger than the dime.
• You can feel the ridged edge by running your fingernail across it.

Managing Your Loose Change

After a shopping trip, you may end up with a pocket of loose coins. You can manage and identify your coins by placing them into separately labeled containers, or into containers of different sizes. If your containers are the same size, you can label each container in large print, braille, or any other method that works for you.

See Labeling and Marking, What Is Braille, and Large Print for more information about any of these labeling options.

Another method for dealing with loose change is to deposit all of it into one container; when the container is full, bring it to your nearest change machine (usually at a local supermarket) and obtain bills for the coins you deposit — less a small percentage fee.

Are there special wallets or other "gadgets" that can help me arrange and identify my money?

There are a number of adaptive wallets that can help you arrange and separate your bills and coins:

	The Executive Beeping Wallet beeps when your credit card, driver's license, or large bill is withdrawn. Find this wallet at The Added Touch. [link opens in new window]
	The Organizer Wallet has separate compartments for different bills and credit cards. Find this wallet at LS&S. [link opens in new window]
	The Soft Leather Wallet has separate compartments for different bills and credit cards. Find this wallet at Independent Living Aids, Inc.[link opens in new window]

Is there a safe way to carry money?

If you’re worried about purse snatchers, here are two possible alternatives to a purse or wallet:

• Waist Pack: A small waist pack can discourage thieves. It can be hidden or covered by a shirt or coat and usually has one or two zippered compartments. It can be useful when you're in an unfamiliar place or if you don't want to carry a bulky or heavy purse or wallet.
• Zippered Pockets: You might consider purchasing a lightweight jacket or coat with zippered pockets. You can conceal and secure your money, house keys, and other personal items inside the zipped pockets.

See Shopping Tips for additional hints and techniques to help you handle and identify your money when shopping.

See Sources of Products for Independent Living for more information about adapted wallets, totes, coin purses, and talking products.

Additional Resources for Money Identification

• If you would like additional instruction in money identification, you can contact a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. See Vision Rehabilitation Services on this web site for more information.
• Find Vision Rehabilitation Services
• Sources of Products for Independent Living