[Nfbmo] Fw: Update on Currency changes for the visually impaired

[Gary Wunder]

Dave, thank you for sending this. I will pass it along.

Gary

>>> DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Bureau of Engraving and Printing
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Meaningful Access to United States Currency for Blind and  Visually
>>> Impaired Persons
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> AGENCY: Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Department of the Treasury.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ACTION: Notice of proposed agency action and request for public 
>>> comments.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Bureau of
>>> Engraving and Printing (BEP) are issuing this Notice pursuant to the
>>> ruling in American Council of the Blind v. Paulson that ordered 
>>> Treasury
>>> to provide meaningful access to U.S. currency to people who  are blind 
>>> and
>>> visually impaired pursuant to section 504 of the  Rehabilitation Act of
>>> 1973, as amended. BEP seeks to develop a solution  that fully complies
>>> with the Court's order and provides people who are  blind and visually
>>> impaired meaningful access to U.S. currency, while  also giving
>>> appropriate consideration to the interests of domestic and 
>>> international
>>> users of currency, U.S. businesses, and cash handling and 
>>> cash-intensive
>>> industries. The purposes of this Federal Register Notice  are to inform
>>> the public of the features that BEP intends to propose to  the Secretary
>>> of the Treasury to accommodate people who are blind and  visually 
>>> impaired
>>> in denominating U.S. currency, and to solicit public  comment on the
>>> proposed accommodations.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> DATES: Submit comments on or before August 18, 2010.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ADDRESSES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for meeting addresses
>>> and information about submitting public comments.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Gano, 202-874-1200.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> By statute, the Secretary of the Treasury has sole authority for
>>> approving designs of U.S. Federal Reserve notes (U.S. currency). To
>>> develop the designs, Treasury works in collaboration with the Board of
>>> Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) and the Department of
>>> Homeland Security's United States Secret Service (USSS), through the
>>> Advanced Counterfeit Deterrence (ACD) Steering Committee.\1\ As a 
>>> general
>>> guideline, the ACD has recommended  that Treasury redesign Federal 
>>> Reserve
>>> notes every seven to ten years  to deter counterfeiting by anticipating
>>> advances in technologies. The most recent redesign of the currency
>>> commenced in 2003, and the final  note in that series of currency design
>>> is in production. As Treasury  begins its design plans for a new family 
>>> of
>>> currency, Treasury and BEP  will incorporate additional features to
>>> accommodate people who are  blind and visually impaired. Although it is
>>> somewhat difficult to  provide a specific date or time frame as to when
>>> the redesign of this  new family of currency will be completed, BEP is
>>> required by the  Court's order to "take such steps as may be required to
>>> provide  meaningful access to United States currency for blind and other
>>> visually impaired persons * * * not later than the date when a redesign
>>> of that denomination is next approved by the Secretary of the 
>>> Treasury."
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> In anticipation of this endeavor, in January of 2008, BEP  commissioned 
>>> a
>>> comprehensive study to (1) review and analyze the needs  of the blind 
>>> and
>>> visually impaired relating to the identification of  U.S. currency 
>>> through
>>> focus groups, surveys, and usability tests; (2)  examine various methods
>>> that might improve access to the currency by  the blind and visually
>>> impaired through discussions with subject matter  experts, foreign
>>> currency experts, and advocacy groups; (3) perform a  cost impact 
>>> analysis
>>> of possible accommodations on various government  and industry sectors;
>>> and (4) provide a decision model, by which BEP  could evaluate various
>>> potential accommodations. See Final Report:  Study to Address Options 
>>> for
>>> Enabling the Blind and Visually Impaired  Community to Denominate U.S.
>>> Currency, July 2009 (Study), which can be  found on the BEP Web site at
>>> http://www.bep.gov/uscurrency/ meaningfulaccess.html
>>> <http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.bep.gov/uscurrency/meaningfulaccess.html>
>>> .
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Although there are a wide variety of definitions and methodologies  to
>>> define blindness and visual impairment, the Study used the following
>>> definitions: it defined blind individuals as those who have no useful
>>> vision for reading any amount of print, and visually impaired 
>>> individuals
>>> as those who have difficulty seeing but are able to read  some print 
>>> (with
>>> or without corrective lenses).
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Summary of Proposed Design Modifications ` Based upon the Study's 
>>> findings
>>> and BEP's own expertise in  manufacturing U.S. currency, BEP proposes to
>>> recommend to the Secretary  of the Treasury the following:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I. Tactile Feature. As part of the next currency redesign, BEP will
>>> develop and deploy a raised tactile feature that builds upon current
>>> tactile feature technologies. The tactile feature will be unique to 
>>> each
>>> Federal Reserve note denomination that it may lawfully change, and  will
>>> provide users with a means of identifying each denomination by way  of
>>> touch.\2\
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> II. Large, High-Contrast Numerals. Consistent with current  practice, 
>>> BEP
>>> will continue its practice of adding large, high-contrast  numerals and
>>> different and distinct color schemes to each denomination  that it is
>>> permitted by law to alter to further assist visually  impaired citizens.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> III. Supplemental Currency Reader Program. BEP also proposes to 
>>> recommend
>>> to the Secretary of the Treasury a supplemental measure that  will be
>>> taken in order to provide access to U.S. currency. This measure  would
>>> involve a process to loan and distribute currency readers to the  blind
>>> and visually impaired at no cost to them. BEP believes this  process 
>>> will
>>> ameliorate difficulties stemming from the transition that  will occur
>>> during the co-circulation of notes with and without a  tactile feature 
>>> and
>>> large, high contrast numerals, a transition which  will persist for many
>>> years after the introduction of the tactile- enhanced note.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> In addition, BEP will continue to explore emerging technological
>>> solutions to provide access to U.S. currency, such as the development 
>>> of
>>> software to enable blind and visually impaired individuals to fully
>>> access U.S. currency. Some of the options include the development and
>>> deployment of assistive software to enable banknote denomination using
>>> cellular phones, computers, and imaging and reading devices.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Recommendation Details
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 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. The  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 recognizes that implementing a raised tactile feature will pose 
>>> some
>>> challenges. First, the Study showed that current tactile  technology 
>>> wears
>>> out eventually, so the effectiveness of the feature  diminishes over 
>>> time.
>>> In addition, the Study showed that a raised  tactile feature would 
>>> impose
>>> costs on both government and industry. For  example, some major cash
>>> handlers expressed concern over stacking,  mechanical counting,
>>> examination, and finishing processes of notes with  raised tactile
>>> features. The banking industry echoed the major cash  handlers' concern 
>>> of
>>> equipment malfunctions caused by jams and added  concerns that increased
>>> jams would require higher inventory levels with  associated increased
>>> carrying costs to ensure sufficient cash would be  available at all 
>>> times.
>>> In addition, BEP will need to put forth a  comprehensive public 
>>> education
>>> program for all users of U.S. currency  to acquaint them with the new
>>> tactile feature.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 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 persons with low-vision. BEP invites comment from the 
>>> public,
>>> including persons 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
>>> persons 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. If  an individual
>>> believes that the CRPC erroneously denied him or her a  reader, the
>>> individual may appeal the decision to the appropriate  authority at BEP,
>>> who will be designated after BEP awards the CRPC  contract.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Except for the postage to mail application forms to the CRPC, the  user
>>> should not have to expend any funds for the reader. Any fees for 
>>> shipping
>>> and the initial battery will be borne by the provider. Readers  will be
>>> delivered by mail. There will be a "one reader per verified  eligible
>>> person" limit. Though there is a "one reader" limit, an  eligible
>>> individual may receive a replacement reader from the CRPC upon  request 
>>> if
>>> the circumstances, such as a lost, damaged, or obsolete  reader, are
>>> reasonable and warrant replacement.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The CRPC will also establish a selection of approved reader  suppliers.
>>> BEP anticipates that more than one reader supplier may be  authorized by
>>> the CRPC to provide readers and will seek to keep costs  low by 
>>> requiring
>>> suppliers to meet the lowest price in order to be a  program 
>>> participant.
>>> The CRPC shall:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 1. Be responsible for overall implementation and operation of the 
>>> program
>>> pursuant to a government contract;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 2. Have the program operational within six months after contract  award;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 3. Communicate with eligible persons via mail, Braille, e-mail,  phone,
>>> fax, TTY, and Web site;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 4. Maintain a help desk for a minimum of ten hours a day, five days  a
>>> week;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 5. Be able quickly to scale up or down staffing resources to react  to
>>> demand on the program;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 6. Accept requests for readers;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 7. Verify eligibility, using the appropriate criteria;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 8. Within three weeks of receiving a request, either provide a  reader 
>>> to
>>> a requester deemed eligible or inform said person that he or  she does 
>>> not
>>> meet the eligibility criteria;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 9. Establish a formal CRPC Authorized Supplier Program, with  documented
>>> contractual controls and agreements between the CRPC and  each supplier;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 10. Monitor each supplier's operation;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 11. Certify each supplier's reader products;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 12. Publicize a list of approved suppliers and products;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 13. Establish payment mechanisms for authorized suppliers;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 14. Evaluate and possibly add new reader suppliers as they enter  the
>>> market;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 15. Suspend reader suppliers if they fail to perform;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 16. Establish internal controls to assist BEP in preventing fraud, 
>>> waste,
>>> and abuse; and obtain an annual independently verified SAS-70  Report
>>> (Type II) of those controls;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 17. Maintain a database of each person who requested a reader, was 
>>> issued
>>> a reader, or was denied a reader, and for readers issued, which  reader
>>> (including its serial number) was issued to which person;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 18. Implement privacy controls; and
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 19. Ensure that all CRPC Authorized Suppliers are able and 
>>> contractually
>>> obligated to:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> a. Provide a reader that quickly and accurately denominates U.S.
>>> currency;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> b. Interact with verified eligible persons via mail, Braille, e- mail,
>>> phone, fax, TTY, and Web site;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> c. Provide readers directly to verified eligible persons if  necessary;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> d. Provide accessible instructional materials on how to use the  reader;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> e. Provide readers that use a non-proprietary battery;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> f. Provide readers with unique serial numbers for accountability;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> g. Provide at least a one-year parts and labor warranty on each  reader;
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> h. Provide free return postage for malfunctioning readers and for
>>> warranty service; and
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> i. Recognize that the selection of a reader is based on the free  market
>>> and personal choice and that there is no minimum quantity of  readers 
>>> that
>>> the government guarantees from any supplier.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> BEP will assess the structure of this program on a continuing basis  and
>>> implement changes as needed to enhance its effectiveness or  efficiency.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Funding
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The Board pays BEP for its currency-related expenses, which are 
>>> primarily
>>> the costs of producing new currency. BEP's costs associated  with
>>> incorporating the proposed tactile and large, high-contrast  numeral
>>> features would be funded by the Board, as are the costs of  other design
>>> elements for U.S. currency. BEP plans also to charge the  Board for the
>>> costs associated with the proposed currency readers.  Because the U.S.
>>> District Court for the District of Columbia determined  that BEP is
>>> required by the Rehabilitation Act to provide meaningful  access to U.S.
>>> currency, BEP believes these costs represent a necessary  expense that 
>>> may
>>> be appropriately charged to the Board.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Questions for Comment
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Treasury welcomes all comments and suggestions regarding the  proposed
>>> solutions. Treasury is particularly interested, however, in  comments on
>>> the specific questions set forth below:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 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?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Electronic Submission of Comments, Electronic Access and Mailing 
>>> Address
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Regulations.gov offers the public the ability to comment on,  search, 
>>> and
>>> view publicly available rulemaking materials, including  comments 
>>> received
>>> on rules. Follow the on-line instructions for  submitting comments. You
>>> may also e-mail electronic comments to  meaningful.access at bep.gov. You 
>>> may
>>> fax comments to 202-874-1212. Please  mail any written comments to
>>> Meaningful Access, Bureau of Engraving and  Printing, Office of External
>>> Relations, 14th and C Streets, SW., Room  530-1M, Washington, DC 20228.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> In general, comments received will be published on Regulations.gov
>>> without change, including any business or personal information 
>>> provided.
>>> Comments received, including attachments and other supporting 
>>> materials,
>>> are part of the public record and subject to public  disclosure. Do not
>>> enclose any information in your comment or  supporting materials that 
>>> you
>>> consider confidential or inappropriate  for public disclosure.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> You may also inspect and copy comments at: Treasury Department  Library,
>>> Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) collection, Room 1428, Main  Treasury
>>> Building, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220.  Before
>>> visiting, you must call (202) 622-0990 for an appointment.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Public Forum
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> BEP will host two open public forums simultaneously on June 22,  2010. 
>>> One
>>> will be held at the Eastern Currency Facility (14th and C  Streets, SW.,
>>> Washington, DC 20228) and the other at the Western  Currency Facility
>>> (9000 Blue Mound Road, Ft. Worth, TX 76131). BEP  representatives will 
>>> be
>>> available to discuss the proposed  accommodations for meaningful access
>>> and to hear public comment.  Registration to attend the public forum (at
>>> either the Washington, DC  or Fort Worth, TX facility) must be made by
>>> calling (877) 874-4114.  Because the BEP is a secure Federal 
>>> installation,
>>> all attendees must  pre-register for the public forum by providing their
>>> name and are  subject to magnetometer inspection and their bags are
>>> subject to x-ray  prior to entering and upon exiting the facility. To
>>> ensure your access,  please notify BEP of your intent to attend by 5 
>>> p.m.,
>>> EDT on June 18,  2010.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Larry R. Felix,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Director.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> [FR Doc. 2010-12091 Filed 5-19-10; 8:45 am]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> BILLING CODE 4840-01-P
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Endnotes
>>>
>