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DisabilityNation|Battle Over Accessible Currency Entering Next Phase Episode
DN68: The battle within the blind community over the accessibility of United States currency moved in to high gear with a decision in favor of the American Council of the Blind back in November 2006. At that time the court ruled that the Department of the Treasury was in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act because currency was not accessible to blind people. However, within a month of that verdict the United States Department of the Treasury appealed the decision with the full backing and support of the National Federation of the Blind. This past May a federal district court in Washington DC. upheld the lower courts decision.
With the deadline for appealing the decision to the Supreme court eminent, the focus of the blind community now is moving from if currency will be made accessible to the visually impaired to how that will be accomplished. And, just as was the case when the courts were deciding this issue, there are very different ideas as to how currency will be changed.
Recently, the House Financial Services Committee held a hearing focusing on the accessible currency issue. The hearing featured testimony by several individuals from government agencies, business and organizations concerned about this issue.
This episode of DisabilityNation features testimony given at the hearing by Ms. Melanie Brunson, Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind and Mr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind. Each of these organizations hold very different views on whether or not currency is accessible to the blind. Yet, they now find themselves at a point where they must work together to identify a solution that will work for the millions of blind people living in America.
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[ Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:50:54 -0700 ]
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