[Nfbmo] Fw: Update on Currency changes for the visually impaired
Bryan Schulz
b.schulz at sbcglobal.net
Tue May 25 19:54:55 UTC 2010
yes,
i noticed that but it will last maybe a month in a back pocket and being
handled unless it is sturdy such as plastic produced by dymo labels.
Bryan Schulz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Aikens" <gpaikens at gmail.com>
To: "NFB of Missouri Mailing List" <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 1:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] Fw: Update on Currency changes for the visually
impaired
>I think the report said they were opting for tactile information
> instead of different sizes because it would create less of a
> difference between current currency and new currency. I'm a little
> skeptical about how well tactile systems work. When I was in South
> Africa, the money there was supposed to have a tactile labelling
> system, but I couldn't tell the difference in any of the bills, even
> ones that felt new. In europe though, I found the different sized
> denominations of the euro very easy to use.
>
> -Greg
>
> On 5/25/10, Bryan Schulz <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> hi,
>>
>> Ron white says 'there's no cure for stupid'.
>> i didn't notice any mention of making denominations different sizes but
>> the
>> other points sound interesting.
>> Bryan Schulz
>>
>>
>> ----- 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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>>
>>
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