[nfbmi-talk] currency update from acb
gkitchen
ghkitchen at comcast.net
Fri May 21 00:07:24 UTC 2010
Hi,
I wonder if it would be easier if the government provided money
identifiers to all patrons of the library for the blind free of charge.
Tactile markings do not seem to be easy to read and different sizes are a
problem because you always have to have the other sizes to compare the bill
that you want to identify.
I know if I had a money identifier there are times it would be helpful.
My neighbor got me a wallet from ann Morris that has the different sections
in it and between folding and placement in these different sections it works
quite well. Yes, accessible money would be helpful but what is the best way
to do it. Wish I just had more of the stuff to count!
I wonder if we call that number we can make public comment?
Georgia
----- Original Message -----
From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 4:26 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] currency update from acb
Hello all,
The long awaited Federal Register notice from the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing about their plans for making United States currency accessible to
people
who are blind has arrived! It’ includes a request for public comment on
their proposal. ACB will, of course, be filing comments. Individuals and
affiliates
should consider filing comments as well, or feel free to share your comments
with us in the national office, as ACB will be seeking input from our
members
as we prepare our comments.
In the meantime please see the full text of the notice below.
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.
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
\1\ The ACD Steering Committee was established by charter in 1982 to
recommend designs to the Secretary of the Treasury for Federal Reserve
notes. The
ACD Steering Committee is chaired by the Treasury's Under Secretary for
Domestic Finance. Its members include the senior representatives from the
Department
of the Treasury, Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Federal
Reserve System, and the USSS.
\2\ The Department of the Treasury is not permitted to redesign the $1
note. The Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Public Law 111- 8, Section
111, states
that “None of the funds appropriated in this Act or otherwise available to
the Department of the Treasury or the Bureau of Engraving and Printing may
be used to redesign the $1 Federal Reserve note.” In addition, the Court's
October 3, 2008 order explicitly excluded the $1 note and the soon to be
released
$100 note.
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