[nabs-l] Accessible Currency

[Greg Aikens]

Really? No blind people anywhere? Think about all the blind vendors who work under Randolph Shepherd.  That isn't just vending machines.  Many operate small cafeterias and are forced to handle cash regularly.  A friend who is blind does this and had a customer try and rip him off recently.  I'm not sure what techniques he uses or how he figured out he was being ripped off, but he figured it out before the person got away with it.  

Sorry this message isn't more informative.  I just wanted to point out that there are certainly many blind people who do deal with cash on a regular basis for their jobs.  

To respond to Arielle's original thoughts, I'm also not sure I'm comfortable with the money being redesigned just for blind people.  One thing to think about though is that when done correctly, implementing universal design should benefit a whole array of people, including people without disabilities.  I really haven't done all my homework on this topic, but if the treasury wants to design new bills that are accessible to as many people as possible, then I think we can be involved in giving feedback and advocating for the accessible currency without the fear that it sends the wrong message about blind people.  

My favorite currency is still the Euro.  Without any special features for blind people, the notes are accessible because they are different sizes.  

Peace,
Greg

On Jun 23, 2011, at 11:19 PM, Joshua Lester wrote:

> I don't think any blind people are in those vocations.
> All I'm advocating, Arielle, is that the companies make the IBill more
> affordable, because I understand the cost of making the money
> identifiable.
> Blessings, Joshua
> 
> On 6/23/11, Arielle Silverman <nabs.president at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi all,
>> I have only been cheated with money once in my life, and that was by a
>> blind person, who got possession of my wallet and replaced a $20 bill
>> with a $1. In theory it can happen, but in practice being cheated in
>> business transactions is quite rare.
>> For the most part I feel that the cost of making money identifiable by
>> the blind outweighs the benefit. The only argument I would make for
>> accessible currency is that it might allow more blind people to obtain
>> employment as cashiers, bank tellers, etc. I am curious to know if any
>> blind people currently work in these kinds of vocations and, if so,
>> how they handle the need to identify bills. While I imagine that in
>> banks or cash registers bills are pre-sorted, I would think that many
>> employers would be unwilling to hire someone who is unable to verify
>> that they are being given the right bills.
>> Thoughts?
>> Arielle
>> 
>> --
>> Arielle Silverman
>> President, National Association of Blind Students
>> Phone:  602-502-2255
>> Email:
>> nabs.president at gmail.com
>> Website:
>> www.nabslink.org
>> 
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