[Nyabs] noteworthy pieces of NCD report

[Kathryn Carroll]

The NCD is the National Council of Disability, a body that advises Congress
on disability policy. in August, NCD released a "State of the Union" report
on disability. Here is the link to the report:
http://www.ncd.gov/progress_reports/Aug202012 I pasted one part
specifically relevant to blind people below - regarding accessible
currency-, but note that much of it is relevant to the disability community
as a whole.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act Accessible Currency

On October 3, 2008, United States Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit Judge James Robertson issued an historic injunction
against the United States Treasury Department. In a case brought by the
American Council of the Blind and other advocates, Judge Robertson held
that the Treasury “violated Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by
failing to provide meaningful access to United States currency for blind
and other visually impaired
persons.”endnote[xxiii]<http://www.ncd.gov/progress_reports/Aug202012#ch1edn23>The
Treasury was ordered to take steps to make U.S. currency accessible to
people who are blind and/or visually
impaired.endnote[xxiv]<http://www.ncd.gov/progress_reports/Aug202012#ch1edn24>

Since that time, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has worked
with the Treasury Department and DOJ to increase the accessibility of
American paper currency. This process is ongoing, and logistical,
technological, and administrative challenges remain to meet the court’s
mandate and guarantee comprehensive and timely compliance. Questions remain
about what the phase-out period should be for the use of existing currency,
and how best to determine ways of maximizing accessibility during the
transition to new tactile currency.

In December of 2011, BEP reported two key developments:

   - In consultation with experts and stakeholders, BEP is researching the
   most practical method for rendering tactile bills of a denomination larger
   than $1.00. With periodic reporting to DOJ, BEP anticipates finalization
   within the near future of the shape and type of tactile symbol to be
   affixed.
   - Interim computer applications (including the Eyenote™ application for
   Apple, a free download) and development and distribution of more advanced
   currency readers will help during the transition period while older
   inaccessible bills near a natural obsolescence. Eventually, new paper
   currency will include symbols and raised textural numbers for bills larger
   than $1.00.endnote[xxv]<http://www.ncd.gov/progress_reports/Aug202012#ch1edn25>

Recommendations

NCD recommends:

1.8       The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing should complete
research and set a timetable for commencement of production of tactile
currency within two years.

1.9       BEP should finalize a plan for how to distribute, or support by
voucher application the distribution of easy-to-use handheld currency
readers, which will make existing paper currency audibly accessible.
Mandatory biannual reports submitted by BEP to the District of Columbia
Court and the Department of Justice should be made available to the public,
other agencies, and interested parties.


-- 
Kathryn Carroll
St. John's University School of Law 2013
(Ph.) 347-455-1521
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nyabs_nfbnet.org/attachments/20121005/15f9fc98/attachment.html>