Judge Rules US Paper Money Must Accommodate the Blind

In a suit brought by the American Council of the Blind, a US federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Treasury Department must change the design of paper currency so that the denomination of bills is easily distinguishable to blind and visually impaired persons.

Judge James Robinson, in the case of American Council of the Blind v. Paulson ruled that the Treasury Department is in violation of the federal Rehabilitation Act by not providing a means of "meaningful access” in the handling of paper money by blind persons.

"Of the more than 180 countries that issue paper currency," Judge James Robertson wrote in his ruling "only the United States prints bills that are identical in size and color in all their denominations. Every other issuer includes at least some features that help the visually impaired." Judge Robinson gave the Treasury Department 30 days to come up with proposals for new bills. He also gave the government 10 days to appeal the ruling.

Suggestions offered by Judge Robinson included different size bills for each denomination or holes of different sizes punched in paper bills. One can, however, immediately picture a counterfeiter turning a $1.00 into a $100.00 with a 79-cent hole punch.

Other potential solutions include embossed Braille dots or varying roughened surfaces on different bills.

While Judge Robinson stated that the requirement should not present an undue burden on the agency, the Treasury Department had no immediate comment on the ruling.

Also See:
Judge Robinson’s Order from FindLaw