[Nfbmo] Fw: Update on Currency changes for the visually impaired
James Moynihan
jamesmoynihan at kc.rr.com
Tue May 25 19:29:52 UTC 2010
Gary,
We cannot figure out how to get to the information in this message. Can you
provide any help?
Very Warmly Today,
Jim and Jana Moynihan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Wunder" <gwunder at earthlink.net>
To: "nfbmo list" <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "Dave Hutchins" <dhutchins at kc.rr.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 7:52 AM
Subject: [Nfbmo] Fw: Update on Currency changes for the visually impaired
> 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
>>>>
>>
>
>
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