DN17: On November 28th, a Federal judge handed down a decision stating that the United States Department of the Treasury was in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act because paper currency is not accessible to blind persons. The decision, which has brought about significant discussion among the disability community, requires that the Treasury take steps to make currency accessible to those with low vision. The United States is one of the few countries issuing paper currency that does not take steps to provide features that could make bills more easily identifiable to the blind. The American Council of the Blind brought the suit and believes that making currency more accessible will increase the independence of the blind. However, The National Federation of the Blind has a different philosophy, believing that this decision could in reality hurt the blind by limiting employment opportunities and the ability of the blind to fully participate in society. This contradiction in philosophy reflects some very stark differences between the organizations. Does this hurt the blind community and does society in general harbor greater negativity toward blind and disabled people because of disagreements like this? This episode of DisabilityNation will examine the issues around the courts decision and the philosophy associated with the ACB and NFB positions.

DisabilityNation 17 features interviews with Melanie Bruncen, Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind and James Gashel, Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives for the National Federation of the Blind. Be sure to read my editorial about this issue found on this page.

Check out the following links for more information and details about the courts decision and the ongoing controversy among members of the blind community.

Judge: Make Bills Recognizable to Blind

National Federation of the Blind Comments on Federal Court Ruling on U.S. Currency

Blind advocates play down need to alter paper money

Money Matters

Practicality counts

Nonprofit Criticizes Historic Court Victory for Blind

UPDATE! TREASURY APPEALS RULING, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND PLEDGES ITS SUPPORT

DisabilityNation is closely monitoring developments related to the currency issue. On December 12 the Bush administration filed an appeal related to the decision by a Federal judge which stated that the Department of the Treasury was not in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which requires the government to make itself accessible to people with disabilities. The decision would have required the treasury to make currency accessible. Click here to read more about the appeal that was filed by the administration.

Click here to listen to NPR coverage of the appeal and how this issue is dividing the blind community

Most concerning is that the National Federation of the Blind has issued a press release backing the Bush administration’s appeal and pledges its full support in efforts to over-turn the judges decision.

National Federation of the Blind Applauds Treasury Appeal, says United States Currency Does Not Discriminate Against Blind People

Baltimore, Maryland (December 12, 2006): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the nation’s oldest and largest organization of blind persons, today announced its full support of the decision of the United States Department of the Treasury to appeal a court order mandating a redesign of U.S. paper money. The Federation plans to support the Treasury in the appeal process.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “The ruling of Judge James Robertson saying that U.S. currency discriminates against the blind was dangerous and wrong. The blind are not barred from using U.S. paper money because of the way it is designed. This ruling misinterpreted the meaning of discrimination. It also implied that the blind are not capable of looking out for our own best interests and that the whole world must be modified for our protection. If it is allowed to stand unchallenged, this ruling will do real harm to the blind by making our goal of full and equal participation in society virtually impossible to achieve. That is why the National Federation of the Blind will do everything in its power to support the Treasury in seeing that this ruling is overturned." Click here to read the full NFB press release.

For more information about the issues related to this case, be sure to listen to DN17 and check out the links to articles and resources below.

This weeks show also features the latest news from Dave Reynolds of Inclusion Daily Express.

To contact DisabilityNation, send email to contact@disabilitynation.net or call 480-302-9300.