[real-eyes] Re: Another interesting item regarding accessible money
- From: "Andrea Breier" <abreier@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2006 09:47:54 -0600
What happened between then and now? Can someone comment?
Andrea Breier, President, Heartland Guide Dog Users
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its
fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit." (Matthew 12:33)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Beach" <rbeach@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2006 8:09 AM
Subject: [real-eyes] Another interesting item regarding accessible money
Interesting that in 1997, the NFB considered making money accessible to
the visually impaired important enough to work with congress on
resolutions to make it happen, but now they consider it degrading and
harmful to the visually impaired community. Makes you want to say,
"Hmmm," doesn't it?
SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING TACTILE CURRENCY FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY
IMPAIRED (House of Representatives - November 08, 1997)
[Page: H10371]
GPO's PDF
Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 122) expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives regarding
tactile currency for the blind and visually impaired.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 122
Whereas currency is used by virtually everyone in everyday life,
including blind and visually impaired persons;
Whereas the Federal reserve notes of the United States are inaccessible
to individuals with visual disabilities;
Whereas the Americans with Disabilities Act enhances the economic
independence and equal opportunity for full participation in society for
individuals with
disabilities;
Whereas most blind and visually impaired persons are therefore required
to rely upon others to determine denominations of such currency;
Whereas this constitutes a serious impediment to independence in
everyday living;
Whereas electronic means of bill identification will always be more
fallible than purely tactile means;
Whereas tactile currency already exists in 23 countries worldwide; and
Whereas the currency of the United States is presently undergoing
significant changes for security purposes: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) endorses the efforts recently begun by the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing to upgrade the currency for security reasons; and
(2) strongly encourages the Secretary of the Treasury and the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing to incorporate cost-effective, tactile features
into the
design changes, thereby including the blind and visually impaired
community in independent currency usage.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Louisiana [Mr. Baker] and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Flake] each
will control 20
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Baker].
Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation has a very noncontroversial purpose,
which intends to update our currency to include tactile markings. This
is a change which
I believe will be certainly of value to all Americans.
It is important to recognize the efforts of the Secretary of the
Treasury and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in this general area
of improvement.
As our currency is constantly updated for security purposes, a new
low-vision feature has been added in the form of a high-contrast, large
numeral denoting
the denomination of the bill. This change is already helping many
Americans with vision difficulty.
House Resolution 122 takes these efforts one step further by initiating
the incorporation of tactile marking in our currency. This relatively
minor change
will have significant impact not only on individuals who have vision
problems, but on all Americans that are visually impaired.
Mr. Speaker, I want to express my appreciation to Chairman Leach and
subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] for
their support and
assistance with the resolution; also, the ranking member, the gentlemen
from New York, Mr. LaFalce and Mr. Flake for their support and courtesy
in facilitating
this.
I also want to express my appreciation to the American Academy of
Ophthalmology and the National Federation of the Blind for their
technical assistance
in drafting this proposal.
I want to mention in connection with this resolution that I am
particularly pleased to have worked with the Federation. They have been
a leading force in
our country in helping all of us acquire a more rational understanding
of blindness. That has certainly been the case as we worked together on
this particular
matter. The Federation notes that although the visually impaired are
currently able to use and handle their money, this additional step will
facilitate
safer and more secure transactions.
It is important, Mr. Speaker, that we examine and move forward in
designing different forms of currency for use in the decades ahead. In
that process, it
will be important to consult with experts who have relevant knowledge,
such as those in the Federation. This will ensure that the conversion of
our currency
occurs in a manner that is both cost-conscious and beneficial to
everyone.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution offered by the
gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Baker]. To the extent that the Bureau of
Engraving and
Printing can accommodate the visually impaired during the future
redesigns of currency, it should do so.
The availability of technology and materials exist today to do a great
number of things with respect to the issue of anticounterfeiting. I
would hope that
the same technology may be used to make our visually impaired citizens
more comfortable in their everyday business transactions.
Indeed, we have seen at newsstands and stores there have been
technological advances which have allowed those who are salespersons and
others to be able
to function, even though they are, in many instances, visually
impaired. It is only right that we give this opportunity to all of the
citizens of this
Nation. It is right, it is fair, it is appropriate.
I also recognize that we must not diminish the general market
acceptance of our currency. Therefore, I would not expect radical
designs under the resolution
which the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Baker] has presented.
Nevertheless, I support the idea and the effort of this well-intentioned
resolution.
I would hope that this body would see fit to pass it, because I think
it is the right thing to do for those of our citizens who are visually
impaired and
can benefit greatly by our response to their needs today.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r105:H08NO7-252:
Robert Lee Beach
Assistive Technology Specialist
Kansas City Kansas Community College
7250 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66112
Phone: (913) 288-7671
Fax: (913) 288-7678
E-mail: rbeach@xxxxxxxxx
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