The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) announced it will
distribute free currency readers to eligible blind and low-vision individuals,
a preemptive solution to the Federal Reserve’s tactile-enhancement of currency
notes. Originally announced in the form of a July 2014 press release, the BEP
and National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library
of Congress (NLS) are collaborating through their U.S. Currency Reader Program
to promote access to paper currency. This serves as a BEP initiative, which is
also realized through the BEP’s assistance when developing the Wireless
RERC-funded IDEAL Currency Reader®.
The pilot of the U.S. Currency Reader Program began in September where
approximately 12,000 were pre-ordered and delivered. The national rollout of
the program allows all U.S. citizens, or legal residents in the U.S. who are
blind or visually impaired, access to the iBill® Currency Identifier.
The iBill® “identifies all denominations of U.S. paper currency by either voice
announcement, tone pattern, or vibration pattern.”
Currency Readers are currently available and may be requested by submitting
the U.S. Currency Reader application form to: U.S. Currency Reader Program,
14th & C Streets, S.W., Washington, DC 20228. The form is available in
English and Spanish, and may be accessed HERE. Additional information is also
available by contacting BEP at meaningful.access@bep.gov or (844) 815-9388.
Source: Technology and
Disability Policy Highlights
