A federal district court in DC ruled yesterday that the Treasury
Department’s failure to issue paper currency that is readily
distinguishable to blind and visually impaired individuals violates
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The case is American Council of
the Blind v. Paulson.
The judge explained that “like deaf students who can have real access
to a lecture only with an interpreter or a real time transcript, blind
or visually impaired people cannot make effective use of American money
without help.”
The court stopped short of ordering a remedy, but discussed the
possibility of embossing or punching holes in bills, or printing new
bills of different sizes. The court is holding a separate conference to
determine the appropriate remedy, but the Treasury Department will
almost certainly appeal the decision.
– Alicia Ouellette, Director, AMBI Health Law & Bioethics