WASHINGTON, July 6, 2017 – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), today pushed for the United States to begin producing paper currency that includes tactile features to allow Americans who are blind or visually impaired to quickly differentiate between different monetary values.
In a letter to the director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the senators noted there are more than 180 countries that issue paper money, but the United States alone continues to print currency in identical sizes and colors. Without the ability to tell different bills apart by touch, Americans who are blind or visually impaired have more difficulty using cash to make purchases.
“It is paramount that all Americans are able to engage in commerce, including the approximately 24.7 million Americans experiencing difficulty seeing, even when wearing their glasses or contacts,” the senators said. “Accordingly, we would like to inquire into the status, cost, and timeline for implementation of tactile features on Federal Reserve Notes.”
Courts ordered the U.S. Treasury Department in 2008 to provide “meaningful access” to paper currency for Americans who are blind and visually impaired. In 2011, the Treasury Department outlined three steps the department would take to create better accessibility, including a raised tactile feature to allow visually impaired persons to differentiate currency by touch.
The Treasury Department set a target date for beginning to issue bills with a tactile feature by 2020, but has since said it is years behind schedule.
The full text of the letter is below.
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
July 6, 2017
Leonard R. Olijar
Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Department of the Treasury
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
14th and C Streets, SW
Washington, DC 20228
Director Olijar:
Of the more than 180 countries issuing paper currency, the United States is the only country to issue paper money in congruent sizes and identical coloring for all denominations. As you know, because of this, people who are blind or visually impaired are unable to distinguish the denomination of U.S. currency without the assistance of a sighted person or technology. It is paramount that all Americans are able to engage in commerce, including the approximately 24.7 million Americans experiencing difficulty seeing, even when wearing their glasses or contacts. Accordingly, we would like to inquire into the status, cost, and timeline for implementation of tactile features on Federal Reserve Notes.
It is concerning that the United States continues to lag behind the rest of the world on this matter. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (the Bureau) must ensure as soon as possible that people who are blind or visually impaired are able to easily determine the value of currency. According to a 2014 GAO report examining the Bureau’s progress towards this goal, the Bureau was behind schedule on meeting the milestone of selecting a tactile feature application method and application material, which has raised concerns that the Bureau will not meet its goal of ensuring that the $10 note is ready for production as soon as possible.
Although the Bureau has provided currency reader devices to people who are blind or visually impaired at no cost, and has developed an application to further increase access, it is unsatisfactory that a portion of our population is forced to use electronic devices to be able to engage in commerce. Advocates have raised concerns that many people with visual impairments already carry several assistive devices, and a currency reader requires these individuals to carry yet another device. Additionally, because of the time that it takes to use a reader, the device does not allow a person who is visually impaired to identify currency as quickly as a tactile feature.
Given the importance of implementing a tactile feature on not just the $10, but the $5, $20, $50, and $100 Federal Reserve Notes, we respectfully ask that:
1. The Bureau provide an update on steps that have been taken to have the final design concepts for the $5, $10 and $20 notes ready by August 18, 2020;
2. The Bureau provide a deadline for finalizing the selection process for a tactile feature;
3. The Bureau provide a deadline for when the $10 bill will be ready for production with a tactile feature;
4. The Bureau provide detailed information on the cause of the delay if those deadlines will not be met;
5. The Bureau provide a timeline with concrete milestones for the implementation of a tactile feature on the $50 and $100 notes.
We respectfully request a reply to these questions no later than July 31, 2017. We appreciate your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Ron Wyden, U.S. Senator
John Boozman, U.S. Senator
Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senator
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