Full Version: US Judge: US currency discriminates against the blind
I found this story a bit funny and a bit odd:
U.S. ordered to help blind tell bills apart
According to the American Federation for the Blind, there are 10 million Americans who are visually impaired and 1.3 million of those are legally blind. 80% of the legally blind have some "useful vision". The other 20% had "light perception only" or worse vision (totally blind). Even the visually impaired make up only 0.3% of the population. The legally blind make up only 0.08% of the US population.
This brings up another question: are receipts discriminatory towards the blind? If you can't tell a $20 from a $10 bill, I doubt you can read your check at Denny's.
Questions for debate:
Does the current form of US currency discriminate illegally against the blind?
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
What should the government do about its paper currency?
U.S. ordered to help blind tell bills apart
QUOTE
U.S. District Judge James Robertson ordered the Treasury Department to come up with ways for the blind to tell bills apart. He said he wouldn’t tell officials how to fix the problem, but he ordered them to begin working on it.
The American Council of the Blind has proposed several options, including printing bills of differing sizes, adding embossed dots or foil to the paper or using raised ink.
<snip>
In court documents, government attorneys said changing the way money feels would be expensive. Cost estimates ranged from $75 million in equipment upgrades and $9 million annual expenses for punching holes in bills to $178 million in one-time charges and $50 million annual expenses for printing bills of varying sizes.
The Treasury Department spent $4.2 billion on printing over the past decade, Robertson said. Adding a raised number to the bills would have increased costs less than 5 percent over that period, he said.
The American Council of the Blind has proposed several options, including printing bills of differing sizes, adding embossed dots or foil to the paper or using raised ink.
<snip>
In court documents, government attorneys said changing the way money feels would be expensive. Cost estimates ranged from $75 million in equipment upgrades and $9 million annual expenses for punching holes in bills to $178 million in one-time charges and $50 million annual expenses for printing bills of varying sizes.
The Treasury Department spent $4.2 billion on printing over the past decade, Robertson said. Adding a raised number to the bills would have increased costs less than 5 percent over that period, he said.
According to the American Federation for the Blind, there are 10 million Americans who are visually impaired and 1.3 million of those are legally blind. 80% of the legally blind have some "useful vision". The other 20% had "light perception only" or worse vision (totally blind). Even the visually impaired make up only 0.3% of the population. The legally blind make up only 0.08% of the US population.
This brings up another question: are receipts discriminatory towards the blind? If you can't tell a $20 from a $10 bill, I doubt you can read your check at Denny's.
Questions for debate:
Does the current form of US currency discriminate illegally against the blind?
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
What should the government do about its paper currency?
Does the current form of US currency discriminate illegally against the blind?
I don’t think its taken into any consideration of people that do have such a handicap yes.
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
A person could easily be taken advantage of in that kind of situation, I think somebody should help. When it comes to federal currency, I don’t know who else you would turn to.
What should the government do about its paper currency?
I don’t think it would be such a large leap technologically to support such people. I don’t think they would even have to change paper currency as much as maybe produce a credit card of sorts for them, that’s just one possible example.
I don’t think its taken into any consideration of people that do have such a handicap yes.
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
A person could easily be taken advantage of in that kind of situation, I think somebody should help. When it comes to federal currency, I don’t know who else you would turn to.
What should the government do about its paper currency?
I don’t think it would be such a large leap technologically to support such people. I don’t think they would even have to change paper currency as much as maybe produce a credit card of sorts for them, that’s just one possible example.
Does the current form of US currency discriminate illegally against the blind?
I think not- no- "reasonable accomodations" is a phrase I recall from the ADA- changing our entire currency can be argued as "unreasonable" I believe LOL- remember the golf deal with the dude that went in the golf cart- the entire case revolved around "reasonable accomodations"- at my job- there is no "light duty" on the floor- so, there is no "reasonable accomodations" available for those with physical disabilities, and if they have one (which we have several with physical deformities from war or birth at my work) they must prove they can perform the job duties anyway- the most important one is the ability to perform our physical restraint of combative clients- there is no reasonable accomodation for safety available here- so I am going with "no" for that reason. NOW- an argument that all FUTURE currency shoud be braile accesable I suppose.
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
I think the current definition of "reasonable accomodation" does quite nicely. The one caveat I should think is that any business with less than 100 employees, or a company that has less in yearly profit than a "fix" costs - then the goverment should pony up the money or
What should the government do about its paper currency?
Well, this comes on the heels with other issues with our currency - the one color thing, lots of other technical issue- it might be a good idea to make you be able to feel the difference in the money as well as by sight- I can see several benefits from this- not the least of which is pulling out the correct bill in a dark strip club so you can make sure you are giving out the right tip.
I think not- no- "reasonable accomodations" is a phrase I recall from the ADA- changing our entire currency can be argued as "unreasonable" I believe LOL- remember the golf deal with the dude that went in the golf cart- the entire case revolved around "reasonable accomodations"- at my job- there is no "light duty" on the floor- so, there is no "reasonable accomodations" available for those with physical disabilities, and if they have one (which we have several with physical deformities from war or birth at my work) they must prove they can perform the job duties anyway- the most important one is the ability to perform our physical restraint of combative clients- there is no reasonable accomodation for safety available here- so I am going with "no" for that reason. NOW- an argument that all FUTURE currency shoud be braile accesable I suppose.
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
I think the current definition of "reasonable accomodation" does quite nicely. The one caveat I should think is that any business with less than 100 employees, or a company that has less in yearly profit than a "fix" costs - then the goverment should pony up the money or
What should the government do about its paper currency?
Well, this comes on the heels with other issues with our currency - the one color thing, lots of other technical issue- it might be a good idea to make you be able to feel the difference in the money as well as by sight- I can see several benefits from this- not the least of which is pulling out the correct bill in a dark strip club so you can make sure you are giving out the right tip.
Does the current form of US currency discriminate illegally against the blind?
I'm kind of on the fence about this. I can see the case being made that blind Americans, like all other Americans, are required to make use of the government's currency, and no other. In this sense, they are being required to do something without being given the necessary aid to do so properly. I certainly do not think that the government had any intention of discriminating.
By the way, the critical difference between this case and the hypothetical case of Denny's is that Denny's is not the government, and is not held to as high a standard.
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
I would say that the government should be required to make all reasonable accomodations for disabled citizens. Of course, the big question is what is "reasonable." This particular case seems reasonable to me.
What should the government do about its paper currency?
Maybe our neighbors to the north can help us with this:
Link
QUOTE
The Canadian currency tactile feature is a feature on current Canadian banknotes. . . .This tactile feature is a series of raised dots; it does not use standard Braille because the Canadian federal government, in consultation with the blind and visually impaired, decided a different system is more accessible.
This doesn't seem like such a bad idea.
QUOTE
The Canadian currency tactile feature is a feature on current Canadian banknotes. . . .This tactile feature is a series of raised dots; it does not use standard Braille because the Canadian federal government, in consultation with the blind and visually impaired, decided a different system is more accessible.
There you go, yeah Canada, as usual. Wonders what you can do when you dont spend all your intellectual and financial efforts on making war.
I dont think the oversight was purposeful, but now that its come to light, the future can reflect upon this. No reason not to consider it.
Does the current form of US currency discriminate illegally against the blind?
Hard to tell from this side of the keyboard, so guess I'll go along with the judge.
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
I like the argument about being forced to use US currency in this country. So, come on guv, make it possible!
What should the government do about its paper currency?
Raised bumps sound good, especially if in the form of a resin that won't wear off until the end of life for the currency. How expensive can such an application machine be? I bet we can buy them from Canada, unless there's a law against that.
Hard to tell from this side of the keyboard, so guess I'll go along with the judge.
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
I like the argument about being forced to use US currency in this country. So, come on guv, make it possible!
What should the government do about its paper currency?
Raised bumps sound good, especially if in the form of a resin that won't wear off until the end of life for the currency. How expensive can such an application machine be? I bet we can buy them from Canada, unless there's a law against that.
Cars discriminate against blind too. Lets make cars blind people can drive.
QUOTE(deng @ Dec 2 2006, 12:20 PM) 
Cars discriminate against blind too. Lets make cars blind people can drive.
Welcome deng. Since you're new you likely didn't realize one-liners are against the Rules because they are not considered constructive. Please be sure to bring substance to the debates.
TOPICS:
Does the current form of US currency discriminate illegally against the blind?
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
What should the government do about its paper currency?
Does the current form of US currency discriminate illegally against the blind?
I wouldn't think it is necessarily illegal - though Victoria does make a fair point about the blind and visually impaired being required to use a currency that they can't use easily or without assistance. But I do feel that anything that can be done to assist as many of our citizens as possible should be done - like access ramps for the physically disabled and parking reserved close to building entrances for everyone from people with knee replacements to the morbidly obese.
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
As far as possible without creating inconvenience for other groups - which would include too great a financial burden for the possible benefits. In this case, accommodations could be easily and relatively cheaply made - assisting millions of citizens without inconveniencing anyone.
What should the government do about its paper currency?
This is what the EU did (as a number of European countries had done well before the advent of the euro):
Sadly, I doubt we'll ever make currency in different sizes for different denominations, but we could easily incorporate embossed elements that could be identified by touch (if the Republic of Ireland could do this without crippling production costs, I don't see why the US couldn't) and could very easily make the printed denominations larger, bolder and higher contrast. The intaglio in particular would also be yet another security feature to help prevent counterfeiting.
Recalling all of our notes and reissuing new ones would probably be an instance of "too great a financial burden for the possible benefits", but I see no reason for failing to incorporate some of these elements with every new issue.
I wouldn't think it is necessarily illegal - though Victoria does make a fair point about the blind and visually impaired being required to use a currency that they can't use easily or without assistance. But I do feel that anything that can be done to assist as many of our citizens as possible should be done - like access ramps for the physically disabled and parking reserved close to building entrances for everyone from people with knee replacements to the morbidly obese.
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
As far as possible without creating inconvenience for other groups - which would include too great a financial burden for the possible benefits. In this case, accommodations could be easily and relatively cheaply made - assisting millions of citizens without inconveniencing anyone.
What should the government do about its paper currency?
This is what the EU did (as a number of European countries had done well before the advent of the euro):
QUOTE
During the development of the euro, designers and printing experts consulted the European Blind Union. As a result, a number of features have been included to help blind and partially sighted people recognise the various denominations of the banknotes by touch. Some elements of the banknotes are printed "in relief" using a special printing method (intaglio). Specific patterns are printed along the edges of the EUR 200 and EUR 500 banknotes to help with recognition.
In addition, the value of the banknotes is printed in large, bold figures with sharply contrasting dominant colours.
In addition, the value of the banknotes is printed in large, bold figures with sharply contrasting dominant colours.
Sadly, I doubt we'll ever make currency in different sizes for different denominations, but we could easily incorporate embossed elements that could be identified by touch (if the Republic of Ireland could do this without crippling production costs, I don't see why the US couldn't) and could very easily make the printed denominations larger, bolder and higher contrast. The intaglio in particular would also be yet another security feature to help prevent counterfeiting.
Recalling all of our notes and reissuing new ones would probably be an instance of "too great a financial burden for the possible benefits", but I see no reason for failing to incorporate some of these elements with every new issue.
QUOTE(Wertz @ Dec 8 2006, 06:34 PM)
Does the current form of US currency discriminate illegally against the blind?
I wouldn't think it is necessarily illegal - though Victoria does make a fair point about the blind and visually impaired being required to use a currency that they can't use easily or without assistance. But I do feel that anything that can be done to assist as many of our citizens as possible should be done - like access ramps for the physically disabled and parking reserved close to building entrances for everyone from people with knee replacements to the morbidly obese.
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
As far as possible without creating inconvenience for other groups - which would include too great a financial burden for the possible benefits. In this case, accommodations could be easily and relatively cheaply made - assisting millions of citizens without inconveniencing anyone.
[...]
Sadly, I doubt we'll ever make currency in different sizes for different denominations, but we could easily incorporate embossed elements that could be identified by touch (if the Republic of Ireland could do this without crippling production costs, I don't see why the US couldn't) and could very easily make the printed denominations larger, bolder and higher contrast. The intaglio in particular would also be yet another security feature to help prevent counterfeiting.
Recalling all of our notes and reissuing new ones would probably be an instance of "too great a financial burden for the possible benefits", but I see no reason for failing to incorporate some of these elements with every new issue.
Just piling up ink for one of the numbers on the bill would work so that it is raised from the rest of the bill, then give the edge of each bil a different rasied pattern. After that, the bil size may be possible to be the same as before.
Does the current form of US currency discriminate illegally against the blind?
I think that as things stand there is a barrier to the visually impaired. Now how that is discrimination, that is another question
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
To the extent that the Federal government requires private businesses to accommodate minority groups. It is way past time that the government should obey the same laws that they require of private companies.
What should the government do about its paper currency?
Nothing actually, why not use existing technologies? They make scanners the size of pens now. That technology exists and is readily available at very limited cost (less than $100 per unit). To make a scanner with a memory burned into the chips of each note would be childs play. To have a voice readout, again existing technology, no problem. How hard is that. The cost of a redesign of a single note would a thousand times more expensive than building these devises and giving them to anybody visual impaired.
The barrier would not be one anymore. We have the knowledge, the solutions aren't that hard to figure out.
I think that as things stand there is a barrier to the visually impaired. Now how that is discrimination, that is another question
How far should the government go to accommodate minority groups, such as the blind, with disabilities?
To the extent that the Federal government requires private businesses to accommodate minority groups. It is way past time that the government should obey the same laws that they require of private companies.
What should the government do about its paper currency?
Nothing actually, why not use existing technologies? They make scanners the size of pens now. That technology exists and is readily available at very limited cost (less than $100 per unit). To make a scanner with a memory burned into the chips of each note would be childs play. To have a voice readout, again existing technology, no problem. How hard is that. The cost of a redesign of a single note would a thousand times more expensive than building these devises and giving them to anybody visual impaired.
The barrier would not be one anymore. We have the knowledge, the solutions aren't that hard to figure out.
This is a simplified version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.