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Re: U.S. money is inaccessible to the blind

for

From: John Foliot
Date: Nov 29, 2006 10:10AM

Paul R. Bohman wrote:
> This post is admittedly off-topic as far as *web* accessibility is
> concerned, but I found it very interesting that a judge recently
> ruled that the U.S. currency system is illegal because blind people
> can't tell the difference between the different bills (a $1 bill has
> the same size, shape, and feel as a $100 bill).
>
> http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/28/markets/treasury_ruling/index.htm?cnn=yes
>


FWIW, Canadian paper currency has a tactile indicator (similar to Braille)
embossed in the top right corner of the bills. Admittedly, after extensive
usage the embossing "wears down", but it remains relatively usable for some
time. Canadians also abandoned the $1.00 bill many years ago in favor of a
more durable $1.00 coin (there is also a $2.00 coin). All coinage is of
different sizing.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_currency_tactile_feature]

Other countries also use Braille/tactile indicators on their currency,
including Malaysia:
[http://www.bnm.gov.my/index.php?ch=23&;pg=452&ac=22&security=1]

Canadian bills and Euro-dollars also have holographic strips that run the
full vertical length of the bill - these strips have a noticeable tactile
difference... Perhaps the placement of similar vertical strips, but at
various positioning could be considered ($1.00 has strip at far left edge,
$5.00 has strip 1/6 way in from the left, $10.00 = 1/5, etc.)

Image of Canadian currency:
http://www.craigmarlatt.com/canada/images/images&;downloads/currency.jpg

Image of Eurodollars: http://www.buyahouseinfrance.com/images/currency.jpg

Cheers!

JF