Fw: [B H F] Fw: (VIP Forum) FEDS RELEASE NOTICE ON ACCESSIBLE CURRENCY
george bybee
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Subject: [B H F] Fw: (VIP Forum) FEDS RELEASE NOTICE ON ACCESSIBLE CURRENCY
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> Subject: (VIP Forum) FEDS RELEASE NOTICE ON ACCESSIBLE CURRENCY
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>
> FEDS RELEASE NOTICE ON ACCESSIBLE CURRENCY
> by Melanie Brunson
> Braille Forum, July 2010
> On May 20, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) published a notice
> in
> the Federal Register outlining the recommendations they propose to make to
> the Secretary of the Treasury regarding how to provide people who are
> blind
> and visually impaired with meaningful access to U.S. currency. Before
> finalizing their recommendations, the BEP is seeking public comment on
> their
> proposals. Comments are due by August 18 and both individuals and
> organizations are encouraged to provide input.
>
> Below is a summary of the BEP proposal, and a list of some of the specific
> questions to which they are seeking answers. Space does not permit us to
> publish the entire notice here, but if you would like to read it in its
> entirety, visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-12091.htm or
> contact
> the ACB national office for a copy in electronic format or on tape. BEP
> Recommendations
>
> I. Tactile Feature: BEP will develop and incorporate a raised tactile
> feature that will accommodate people who are blind and visually impaired.
> This feature will enable blind and visually impaired individuals to
> identify
> currency by touching the tactile feature. According to BEP, their study
> demonstrated that raised tactile features allow most blind and visually
> impaired individuals to denominate currency. Indeed, this kind of feature
> is
> used in some foreign currency, and the study's data indicated that this
> feature was more effective than virtually every other kind of
> accommodation
> tested, including different-sized notes. Additionally, a raised tactile
> feature would not cause a major disruption to the general population
> because
> the notes will not appear substantially different from their current form.
>
> BEP noted that the selection of the raised tactile feature will require
> additional targeted research, testing, and consideration of the public
> comments. Nonetheless, the significant benefits of notes with a tactile
> feature, including the excellent accuracy results the blind and visually
> impaired achieved with them, the ease of use evidenced both by the
> usability
> tests and applicable scientific research, and the relatively minimal
> impact
> on the general U.S. population, supports the inclusion of a raised tactile
> feature as a recommended accommodation despite its challenges. Based on
> experience, independent research, and the study, BEP believes it can
> develop
> a raised tactile feature that is durable and can be incorporated into its
> existing manufacturing systems at a reasonable cost, coincident with the
> introduction of the next design series of U.S. currency.
>
> BEP invites comment on its proposal to incorporate raised tactile features
> in the next redesign of its currency.
>
> II. Large, High-Contrast Numerals: BEP began incorporating large,
> high-contrast numerals into Federal Reserve notes beginning with the
> Series
> 1996 design $50 note in October 1997. In March 2008, BEP increased the
> size
> of the large high-contrast numeral with the introduction of the Series
> 2006
> $5 note. The feedback received from visually impaired individuals has been
> positive. This feature will be continued in the new-design $100 note,
> which
> is the last in the Series 2004 family of designs. Because BEP has
> experience
> printing this feature and the visually impaired community has provided
> positive feedback on it, BEP proposes to continue using this feature in
> the
> next design for U.S. currency. BEP is aware, however, that there may be a
> number of options concerning the size, color, placement, background
> contrast
> and other features for these large numerals that may improve accessibility
> of currency for people with low vision. BEP invites comment from the
> public,
> including people with low vision, about the best choices for the proposed
> large, high-contrast numerals.
>
> III. Supplemental Currency Reader Program: BEP will establish a
> supplemental
> currency reader distribution program. The purpose of the program is to
> provide blind and visually impaired people a means that can be used
> independently to correctly identify the denomination of U.S. currency. In
> compliance with legal requirements, BEP will loan a currency reader device
> to all blind and visually impaired U.S. citizens and legal residents who
> wish to avail themselves of this program. The individual may borrow the
> reader for as long as the individual desires the assistance of the reader.
> Before a reader is distributed, BEP first will verify that the requestor
> is
> eligible.
>
> Under the reader program, individuals who are United States citizens or
> people legally residing in the United States who are blind or visually
> impaired and who need a reader to accurately identify the denomination of
> U.S. currency will be able to obtain a reader at no cost to the
> individual.
> BEP will define blind or visually impaired under the same definition as
> the
> study, with the following change to the study's definition of visual
> impairment: The reader program will not extend to visually impaired
> individuals whose impairment is corrected with ordinary eyeglasses or
> contact lenses.
>
> BEP is considering the scope of an appropriate verification framework to
> determine eligibility to receive a reader. Specifically, it is considering
> a
> framework inspired by the eligibility requirements that the Library of
> Congress uses when loaning library materials to blind and other disabled
> persons as set forth in 36 CFR 701.6. Under that framework, applicants may
> submit verification of their eligibility from a "competent authority." BEP
> would define a "competent authority" as one of the following: doctors of
> medicine, doctors of osteopathy, doctors of optometry, registered nurses,
> and licensed practical nurses.
>
> Alternatively, if a person who is blind or visually impaired has
> verification of visual impairment from another federal agency, including
> the
> Social Security Administration, the Library of Congress, or a state or
> local
> agency, that person need only submit a copy of that verification. BEP is
> inviting comments on whether this verification system is appropriate, or
> whether other frameworks would be more appropriate. Parents or legal
> guardians of a blind or visually impaired child under 18, and caregivers,
> legal guardians, or those with power of attorney for a U.S. citizen or
> someone legally residing in the U.S. may act as a proxy on behalf of the
> blind or visually impaired child or represented individual and request a
> currency reader. BEP will require verification for the child or
> represented
> individual.
>
> BEP will solicit and award a single, long-term contract to implement the
> currency reader program. The contractor will be designated as the Currency
> Reader Program Coordinator (CRPC). Once the program is operational, a
> potentially eligible person may request a currency reader by contacting
> the
> CRPC and completing and submitting a request form. Depending on the
> verification framework adopted, upon verification of eligibility, the
> person
> will be provided a reader.
>
> BEP is seeking answers to the following questions.
>
> 1. What would be the ideal placement of the raised tactile feature? In
> what
> kind of pattern or patterns should the raised tactile feature be arranged?
>
> 2. How should the large, high-contrast numerals be incorporated? In other
> words, what colors should BEP use, what is the optimal size of the
> numerals,
> and where should the numerals be placed on the note?
>
> 3. What background colors would provide the highest color contrast for
> people who are visually impaired?
>
> 4. What technological solutions should BEP explore to help people who are
> blind and visually impaired denominate currency?
>
> 5. What is the nature of the burden, if any, on the general public of
> including a raised tactile feature on U.S. currency?
>
> 6. If there are any burdens imposed on the public by a raised tactile
> feature on currency, how can such burdens be minimized?
>
> 7. What is the nature of the burden, if any, on industry and business of
> including a raised tactile feature on U.S. currency?
>
> 8. If there are such burdens, how can they be minimized?
>
> 9. Does the supplemental currency reader program impose a burden on the
> blind and visually impaired?
>
> 10. If so, what are those burdens, and how can they be minimized?
>
> 11. Does a verification process of the currency reader program inspired by
> the Library of Congress process impose too a great a burden on the blind
> and
> visually impaired?
>
> 12. If so, what are those burdens, and how can they be minimized?
>
> 13. Alternatively, if a person who is blind or visually impaired has
> verification of visual impairment from another federal agency (such as the
> Social Security Administration or Library of Congress), or a state or
> local
> agency, should BEP allow that person to submit a copy of that verification
> in order to satisfy a proof of visual impairment requirement in order to
> obtain a currency reader? If so, what burdens might this impose, and how
> can
> those burdens be minimized?
>
> 14. Should BEP consider working with local governments and/or state
> agencies
> to deliver the currency readers?
>
> 15. Should BEP consider additional or different criteria when determining
> eligibility for the currency reader program?
>
> 16. What administrative and/or operational challenges does the currency
> reader program create?
>
> ACB will be filing comments, so readers should feel free to give us your
> input on these issues. For further information about how to file comments,
> or for a copy of the full proposal, contact Barbara LeMoine in the
> national
> office either by phone, (202) 467-5081, or by e-mail, blem...@acb.org.
>
>
>
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