Accessible U.S. Currency Note Should Debut in 2020

Americans with visual impairments who are waiting for accessible U.S. currency will have to wait a little longer, reports Perkins Library Director Kim Charlson.

It will be another five years before the Treasury Department is ready to distribute the first currency note with tactile features, said Charlson after returning from the annual conference of the American Council of the Blind(ACB).

“They’re on a timeline for a rollout in 2020,” she said. “The $10 bill is going to be the first bill that comes out with a tactile feature, and as they redesign the other currency notes, they’ll roll them out one at a time.”

Charlson, in her role as ACB president, has been at the forefront of a campaign to modify U.S. paper money to make it identifiable by people who are blind or visually impaired. In 2008, a Federal District Court ruled that the Treasury Department must provide accessible currency notes.

Charlson heard an update on the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s (BEP) ongoing efforts to comply with that ruling from BEP Chief Council Sidney Rocke, who spoke in July at the ACB’s annual conference in Dallas, Texas. The news was both promising and discouraging, she said.

“The Bureau is basically back in design determination – trying to figure out what (tactile) element is going to work, and how high it has to be,” Charlson said. “The whole process is monumental, but they are still committed to some sort of tactile feature.”

In 2013, the Perkins Library partnered with the BEP to host a testing session at Perkins’ Watertown campus, inviting patrons who are blind or visually impaired to provide feedback on various tactile elements. Over 40 people from more than 20 cities and towns participated.

Other countries incorporate a variety of features in currency notes to make them accessible, including differently sized bills, high-contrast design, raised print and braille elements. The BEP has considered all kinds of accessibility features, Rocke said at the ACB conference, but is still working to ensure that accessible bills are durable, functional and resistant to counterfeiting.

“It’s very, very complicated,” he said. “We have to work with a lot of folks to make sure that everyone’s interests are protected. But we’re in the process of doing that.”

In the meantime, the BEP is providing currency readers free of charge through organizations like the Perkins Library, which has facilitated the distribution of more than 1,800 iBill Talking Banknote Identifiers to registered library borrowers. The device scans a bill and announces the bank note’s value through voice notification, a beep sequence or pattern of vibrations.

Perkins Library patrons who are visually impaired can request a free iBill currency reader by contacting the library at (617) 972-7240 or (800) 852-3133, or by emailing library@perkins.org.

article by Alix Hackett for Perkins Blind School for the Blind | Aug. 2015
http://www.perkins.org/stories/blog/first-accessible-us-currency-note-should-debut-in-2020

U.S. Currency Reader Program, Providing Meaningful Access to Currency for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired

as shared by Disability.gov

Providing Meaningful Access to U.S. Currency By Guest Blogger Rosie Rios, Treasurer of the United States Federal Reserve notes, better known in commerce as U.S. currency, paper money or bills, are the same size and weight regardless of denomination. Because there is no tactile difference between a $5 and $20 bill, for example, individuals who are blind or visually impaired may experience difficulties denominating Federal Reserve notes. The Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is working to change that and is taking a number of steps to provide meaningful access to U.S. currency for people who are blind or visually impaired. Changes to U.S. currency are planned, but the process for redesigning Federal Reserve notes is complex and time intensive, and notes with new features are not expected to be in circulation before 2020. To offer more immediate remedies, the BEP has turned to a number of technological solutions. In January 2015, the BEP launched its U.S. Currency Reader Program nationwide. The program is providing a free currency reader device to all U.S. citizens or legal residents who are blind or visually impaired. The currency reader is a small, compact, hand-held device – about the size of a credit card and about one-half inch thick. It runs on one AAA battery, which is included. To use the currency reader, one simply inserts a U.S. bill into the reader and presses a button. The device quickly identifies the note’s denomination in one of three ways: a clear natural voice, a pattern of tones or a pattern of vibrations for privacy. The vibration mode assists people who are deaf and blind. The currency reader identifies all U.S. currency in circulation, including $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations. Read More For related posts on U.S. Currency Reader Program -  Money Reader For The Blind: CLICK HERE

U.S. Currency Reader Program - Free Money Reader For The Blind

as posted  by U.S. Department of the Treasury

As an interim measure in advance of issuing tactile-enhanced Federal Reserve notes, the BEP is providing currency readers, free of charge, to eligible blind and visually impaired individuals. On July 3, 2014, the BEP announced its distribution plans for the U.S. Currency Reader Program.  Details of the announcement can be found in a press release issued on Thursday, July 3, 2014, and others released on July 14, 2014, and August 18, 2014. The U.S. Currency Reader application was posted to allow the general population of individual who are blind or visually impaired to apply for a currency reader device. The U.S. Currency Reader Program launches in two phases: Pilot:  Beginning September 2, 2014, in partnership with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, (NLS) the BEP initiated a four-month pilot where NLS patrons can pre-order a currency reader.  The pilot program allows the government to test its ordering and distribution processes and gauge demand for currency readers. To receive a currency reader, eligible individuals who are currently patrons of NLS need only contact their NLS regional library or call 1-888-NLS-READ. When prompted for regional library (third tone), say "library," and you will be connected to your nearest braille and talking book library.  Ask for a currency reader, and someone will take your name and contact information so that you will be issued a currency reader when they become available. National Rollout: Currency readers will be widely available to all U.S. citizens, or persons legally residing in the U.S. who are blind or visually impaired, starting January 2, 2015.  Individuals who are not NLS patrons must submit an application, signed by a competent authority who can certify eligibility. Applications are now available in English and in Spanish. All applications will be processed beginning January 2, 2015. Additional information about the U.S. Currency Reader Program and about the currency reader device can be found in the links below.  The BEP encourages organizations that support the blind and visually impaired community to distribute these materials, incorporate the information provided into individualized communications, or link to this website. Video Guide for Using the iBill® Talking Banknote Identifier U.S. Currency Reader Program Brochure [PDF] Print Guide for Using the iBill® Talking Banknote Identifier [PDF] Braille Guide for Using the iBill® Talking Banknote Identifier [RIGHT CLICK, SAVE TO DOWNLOAD THE BRAILLE FILE] Images of the iBill® Talking Banknote Identifier U.S. Currency Reader Application Contact Us:  For additional questions or comments about the U.S. Currency Reader Program you may call (844) 815-9388 toll-free or email meaningful.access@bep.gov. More about NLS:  NLS administers a free library program of braille and audio materials available to U.S. residents and citizens living abroad whose low vision, blindness, or physical handicap makes it difficult to read a standard printed page.  More information about the program and other services provided by NLS can be viewed at http://www.loc.gov/nls/.

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http://www.moneyfactory.gov/uscurrencyreaderpgm.html

Bureau of Engraving and Printing to Distribute Free Currency Readers

as shared by U.S. Access Board ...


The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) will distribute free currency reader devices to people who are blind or visually impaired as part of an effort to improve access to printed money. BEP will begin a four-month pilot program on September 2 in partnership with the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) that will enable NLS patrons to pre-order the devices. NLS administers a free library program that circulates braille and audio materials to approximately 400,000 people through a national network of cooperating libraries. BEP will use this pilot phase to test ordering and distribution processes and to gauge demand.

A nationwide roll-out of the program will be initiated early next year. Starting on January 2, 2015, currency readers will be widely available to all U.S. citizens or persons legally residing in the U.S. who are blind or visually impaired. To request a currency reader, those who are not NLS patrons must submit an application signed by a competent authority who can certify eligibility. For further information on the program or applying for a currency reader, visit BEP's website.

The U.S. Department of Education and BEP previously released apps for mobile devices that scan and identify currency images. There is an app for Apple iOS platforms (EyeNote®) and another for Android phones (IDEAL Currency Reader ®).

Free EyeNote app helps Apple users who are blind identify U.S. money by scanning paper bills

1. What is EyeNote?
EyeNote is a mobile device application to identify denominations of Federal Reserve Notes (U.S. paper currency) as an aid for the blind or visually impaired.
2. What devices will EyeNote work on?
EyeNote works on the Apple iPhone 3G and 3Gs, the iPhone 4, the 4th generation iPod Touch and iPad2.
3. Will a user have to pay for EyeNote?
No. The app will be a free download from the Apple App Store via iTunes.
4. Will the government pay for the device?
No, owning a device that runs EyeNote is a user responsibility.
5. When will EyeNote be available?
The app is available now from the Apple App Store for free.
6. Why are the Apple devices first and not another device?
Apple has developed a complete ecosystem around developing mobile applications and making those applications easily downloadable onto a user device. Apple’s system is very mature in the industry, which is why we started here.
7. Will other devices follow?
Future phone offerings cannot be definitely specified at this time, but there are tentative thoughts to make EyeNote available on other phones from other vendors once the iOS effort is launched and evaluated.
8. Will a user need to have a data plan or any other accessory to make EyeNote work?
No. EyeNote is designed to be 100% functional without the need for a cellular or Wi-Fi data connection. No other accessory is required.
9. The iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad have a touch screen and few distinguishable buttons or keys, how will a blind person use EyeNote?
The development team certainly realizes this. EyeNote is designed to be as close to a ‘OneTouch’ app to maximize use by a user with no vision. Starting from this point, the program is positioned for future development on other platforms as the industry moves to touch screens as a common offering in mobile devices. The app launch icon can be fixed on the Dock so that it is always in the same location for the user to activate.
10. Will a user have to specially align or hold the banknote to the device?
No special alignment will be required. EyeNote was designed to work when the banknote is held in one hand and the mobile device is in the other hand - real life conditions - front, back, at an angle, or partially covered by a hand.
11. How will the user know what the denomination is?
There will be a user-selectable choice of spoken word output (English or Spanish) using the device’s speaker or specially keyed vibrations/tones to identify the note denomination when privacy is required.
12. As currency or the devices change, how will the app be updated?
The app will be updated to recognize changing designs to currency as they are developed. Also, EyeNote will work with the new $100 banknote after its introduction into circulation. As platforms advance for which there is already an EyeNote app, the app will be updated to stay current. Using the features of the App Store, users will receive automatic notifications that updates are available.
13. Why is the Government doing this program when there is also discussion of providing a tactile feature and providing a free standalone Reader?
The app is not in lieu-of any other accommodation; it is in addition-to all other programs the Government is considering. It simply provides another option for the public which would preclude a user from having to carry a separate reader if they also own a compatible mobile device.
14. Why are there on screen instructions when the app is designed for people who cannot see?
These instructions are a quick reference on how to use the app. When the device is in VoiceOver mode (an Accessibility feature that Apple provides) these quick instructions are read aloud to the user. Complete use instructions are available at www.eyenote.gov.
15. Does EyeNote detect counterfeit notes?
No. EyeNote only identifies the denomination of the note.
16. Where can I get more information?
www.eyenote.gov and download from iTunes.