I believe the sight impaired should have the upper hand in this. The question is why they were not considered 15 or 25 years ago. It is only until now that “…a lawsuit filed by the American Council of the Blind” got the guts to force the Treasury Department to redesign the U.S. Paper currency.
Money for the blind or visually impaired includes the following:
“…Different sized bills for different denominations”
“…Embossed dots and raised printing”
(Reuters, U.S. court: currency discriminates against the blind, James Vicini, Tue May 20, 2008.)
It seems as though there was a lot of pointing of fingers. Apparently the council accused the DPT & Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson of violating the Rehabilitation act.
The Rehabilitation Act is meant to ensure that people with disabilities can live independently and fully participate in society. Perhaps a good example is handicap parking (I might be wrong though).
If I was blind, I would probably go all the way to the Department of treasury myself so I can prove the major issue. “…is this a napkin? Oh wait its $200 BUCKS! CRAP!” AND THEN ALL WOULD BE WELL BECAUSE I SHOWED THEM THE CLEAR PROBLEM WITH MONEY.
But apparently the Treasury Department would still look at me like an idiot and say, “it costs too much!”
The court had rejected this argument.
"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.
What baffles me most is that the Department of Treasury looks at a disability like blindness, not a true disability. As if I can always rely on assistance. There won’t always be someone looking over me to help, especially with cash.
Judge A. Raymond Randolph came back with a good point. He said “…the proposed changes were reasonable, effective and feasible, and cited government evidence that it would cost billions of dollars to alter private vending machines and automated tellers if the bill size was changed.”
The ruling could be appealed to the full appeals court or to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Maybe when I’m done writing this blog, I’ll research other countries solution to this.
Maybe some of you guys can help answer what others have done to there money
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How can they say it costs to mch to make money that is sight impared friendly, when they just out out a new 5.00 bill and the new 20.00 bill??
i like this blog because i never thought about it before now, and it makes SO MUCH sense..they should imporve the currensy.
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What they should do is put the dots on them. This wouldn't cost as much. Just a simple 5,10,20,100. That is alot easier. I agree they should have done this many years ago. The government would rather waste money on issues that aren't important then issues that are. i don't like the government so excuse that comment.
Can you please space out your blog each time? like this comment I hate to point this stuff out, but I would want someone to point it out to me. It makes the blog easier to read.Your arguement was good though!
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
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Space out? like you mean double space some lines? Yea for sure, im still getting adjusted to the editor on the site but ill get on it.
Well, changing the cash isn't difficult. The difficult part is changing the stuff that receives the cash, like ATM's, Gas Station Quick Pay (we all love quick pay) . vending machines ...etc.
Well thats what happens when you don't plan ahead.
Thanks for the comments!
Thanks so much for spacing it out. Did you see what I mean by it being easier to read? Thank you. :) Happy blogging
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
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