[infoshare] Making currency identifiable to the blind
- From: "Luis Guerra" <brl50sky@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "InfoShare" <InfoShare@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:31:07 -0500
Local Woman Champions National Cause
Reported by: Lori Obert - WMBD/WYZZ
Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 @06:46pm CST
WMBD/WYZZ TV - PEORIA -- A national issue, involving something all of us
use, has an impassioned local champion. Peoria's Mary Scroggs lost her
vision years ago when she was hit by a drunk driver. Through a website she
created, www.blinddollars.org, Scroggs is taking action for blind people
across the nation. On the website, you can contact your member of Congress
about the issue, and print and send a letter to Presidential candidates.
Of the more than 180 countries that make paper currency, the U.S. is the
only nation that does not have currency identifiable to the blind.
Scroggs lost her sight on July 18, 1994, when she was hit by a drunk driver
while sitting outside Caterpillar on a lunch break. Scroggs took on the
currency cause in 1997. On the website, you can contact your member of
Congress about the issue, and print and send a letter to Presidential
candidates.
"It's an election year. Make it an election issue. That's how I'm trying
to get awareness to people, by making it a political issue," Scroggs said.
Scroggs says changing currency would give blind people greater independence,
opening up more job options for them. At the same time, it would address
another national concern.
"You could incorporate a feel at the same time you do the counterfeit
thing. The two could be incorporated together," Scroggs said.
The currency issue isn't the only one Scroggs champions. She speaks to
those convicted of driving under the influence, and to high school students
about the dangers of drunk driving. She also stays active, logging more
than a thousand miles on her tandem bike last year.
"I truly believe exercise is number one. The best anti-depressant is riding
that tandem bicycle," Scroggs said.
In addition to exercise, Scroggs says a positive attitude, a sense of humor,
and most importantly, a belief in a larger purpose, keep her going.
"I truly believe that this currency issue, something I've working on since
1997, is something I'm here to make happen in the U.S." Scroggs said.
The currency issue gained national attention in November of 2006. A federal
judge ruled the Treasury Department is violating the rehabilitation act by
failing to design and issue money that is readily distinguishable to
visually impaired people. The Treasury counter-sued, and the issue remains
in the Federal Court system.
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