It is as though I was prescient with yesterday’s post, but a little bit off.
Court Agrees that Paper Money Discriminates Against the Blind
A federal appeals court yesterday upheld a lower court’s ruling that the U.S. currency system discriminates against blind people because bills of different denominations are the same size, shape and color and cannot be easily distinguished by the visually impaired.
In a 2 to 1 decision, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said the existing currency system violates the federal Rehabilitation Act. The judges said that the Treasury Department must find a way to accommodate the needs of the visually impaired.
Some leading advocacy groups, including the National Federation for the Blind, have strongly opposed the 2002 lawsuit that led to today’s ruling, saying that most blind people have found ways to cope with the challenges presented by paper currency. They argue that there are other, more pressing needs to be addressed.
So what now? More money going into making money.
Can’t do Braille since a washing machine will take the dots out. They might be able to get away with Braille holes or serrated edges.
Any ideas on how to spend more money making the money.
Have different lengths of bills according to denomination, like the (hoc, spit) Euro.
Coins in denominations up $100. Oughtta be easy to put dots along the edges. Different sizes and weights would also help.
How ’bout we just ship them all off to Euroland and be done with them? Since everyone is always citing how much they like the “model” that is Europe, I think this is an equitable solution.
Don’t get me started on the ADA. I have REAMS of stories about it. And the USGBC. And LEED.
Did I mention that my wife is European, and she hates those bastards too?