Court of Appeals Rules Paper Money Discriminates Against Blind
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled today that the existing US currency system is unfair to blind and sight-impaired individuals.  The court said the system violates the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 because it does not provide “meaningful access” to money because those who are blind or visually impaired can not distinguish between dollar amounts. The decision was 2-1.
 The suit was brought by the American Council of the Blind.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson had argued that changing the bills to differentiate the denominations would be too expensive. However, the court disagreed.
In upholding an earlier ruling by the district court, Judge Judith Rogers said, “A large majority of other currency systems have accommodated the visually impaired, and the Secretary does not explain why U.S. currency should be any different.”
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is responsible for printing paper money. It will now study methods to help the blind and visually impaired.
The case is American Council of the Blind v. Paulson, 02- 864, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (Washington).
Source: http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/20/news/money_blind/?postversion=2008052015
