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Judge Says U.S. Money Violates Rights of the Blind
An anonymous reader writes, "The United States is one of the few countries in the world whose currency isn't distinguishable by blind people. Most other nations use raised text, different-sized bills, or other methods to assist blind people in spending their money. If a recent decision by a federal court in D.C. survives appeal, however, that will soon change. Under Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, federal programs cannot deny 'meaningful access' to people with disabilities. Because blind people are unable to distinguish U.S. currency without assistance, the court held that they are denied meaningful access to their own money. U.S. District Judge James Robertson ordered the Treasury Department to come up with ways for the blind to tell bills apart. He said he wouldn't tell officials how to fix the problem, but he ordered them to begin working on it." How Appealing notes that Judge Robertson opened the door to a speedy appeal of his ruling.
We make coins different shapes, sizes and textures, why not bills.
Yes, we do! We even make threedifferentdollar coins, each with a different size, colour or texture than the other two.
...and they're about to introduce a fourth!
www.wavefront-av.com
Because you don't use cash any longer, no one does.
Translation: I am a self adsorbed snob that wants all the poor people to go to jail or get their dirtyness away from me. Handle money? Gawd! what uncivilized planet are you from?
Where do they find these people with no idea of reality and why the hell do they bring them here?
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
I tried to make sure that I said that it wasn't a black and white issue and that each case needs to be thought through carefully.
I'm not trying to be "disability hating" or harp on the wheel-chair accessibility subject (as it one of many aspects) but do you really think that a majority of publicly accessible buildings actually recoup the costs of making the building wheel-chair accessible from sales of products to people with the need? I could be misguided in my thinking but I would doubt it.
AGAIN, I AM NOT SAYING MAKING BUILDINGS BEING WHEEL-CHAIR ACCESSIBLE IS A BAD THING...BUT...IT DOES CREATE INEFFICIENCIES.
The question isn't whether or not we should accommodate disabilities. The question is, which ones and to what extent. Accommodating ALL is flat out wrong and will fail 100% of the time. Accommodating none is also probably wrong. I don't know what the magic number/percentage/ratio is. In an ideal situation everyone would be equal and this converstaion/issue wouldn't exist/be valid. But since that isn't the case, I would think the next best case would be one where the decision to accommodate would fall more on the service provider. However, most would choose to cut corners/costs and the people who were unfairly disadvantaged would pay the price. However, even then I would hope that they would be accommodated relative to their respective (potential) return.
Wish I had more time for this...as that last little bit needs a lot more explanation.
When I have a kid, I want to put him in one of those strollers for twins and then run around the mall looking frantic.