[Cinci-nfb] Currency reader

Sun Feb 8 01:40:09 UTC 2015

Deborah.

I believe you mentioned at the Chapter meeting that NLS ceased providing the
currency readers through the network libraries when the pilot ended on Dec.
31, and anyone who needs to order one must contact the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing directly. Do you have that contact info?

Thanks,

Chris. 

From: Cinci-nfb [mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Deborah
Kendrick via Cinci-nfb
Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2015 3:13 PM
To: cinci-nfb at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Cinci-nfb] Currency reader

Greetings Cincinnati Federationists, 

At the January 24 chapter meeting, I mentioned that the U.S. government
currency reader program had ended its library phase and was now moving into
the phase through which the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will distribute
devices directly.  

Walter Mitchell is the only person who has asked for more information, and I
am now sending it.  

I do hope that means that the rest of you already ordered one from the
library.  But just in case there are more of you who have been too shy to
ask, I am sending this to the entire list.  I do hope the following
information will be of some assistance.  

Below is the information as previously distributed by NLS.  

Please be sure to note that the pilot phase has passed, so you must contact
the BEP if you have not received your iBIll yet.

Happy February!

Deborah

NLS has partnered with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) in support
of its U.S. Currency Reader Program, which will provide currency reader
devices, free of charge, to eligible individuals who are blind or visually
impaired. The program is part of the U.S. government's Meaningful Access
Initiative to assist individuals who experience difficulties identifying
U.S. currency.

The currency reader, called the iBill Talking Banknote Identifier, is a
compact device that announces a note's value in one of three ways: voice,
pattern of tones, or pattern of vibrations. Just insert a note into the
device and press the button on the side to have the denomination identified.
The currency reader does not identify foreign or counterfeit banknotes. The
size of a key fob, it can be carried in a pocket or purse, clipped to a
belt, or attached to a keychain or lanyard. It operates on a single AAA
battery, which typically lasts for more than a year. The initial battery is
included.

A national rollout of the U.S. Currency Reader Program is scheduled to begin
in January 2015, but a pilot initiative is currently underway through which
eligible NLS patrons may pre-order a currency reader through December 31,
2014. To pre-order, patrons may call their local braille and talking-book
library. They may also call 1-888-NLS-READ, and when prompted for regional
library (third tone), say "library" to be connected to their nearest braille
and talking book library. The library staff will note the account and a
currency reader will be mailed Free Matter to the patron's on-file address
when the devices become available.

Eligible individuals who wish to receive free library service from NLS may
download an application at  <http://www.loc.gov/nls/pdf/application.pdf>
http://www.loc.gov/nls/pdf/application.pdf or call 1-888-NLS-READ and follow
the aforementioned procedures to request the form from their nearest braille
and talking book library.

To learn more about the U.S. Currency Reader Program or other aspects of the
U.S. government's initiative to provide meaningful access to U.S. currency
visit  <http://www.bep.gov/> www.bep.gov.   

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