Appeals court says money discriminates against blind

AP/Washington Examiner:

The U.S. discriminates against blind people by printing paper money that makes it impossible for them to distinguish among the bills' varying values, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.

The ruling upholds a decision by a lower court in 2006. It could force the Treasury Department to redesign its money. Suggested changes have ranged from making bills different sizes to printing them with raised markings.

The American Council for the Blind sued for such changes but the Treasury Department has been fighting the case for about six years.

"I don't think we should have to rely on people to tell us what our money is," said Mitch Pomerantz, the council's president.

The U.S. acknowledges the design hinders blind people but it argued that blind people have adapted. Some relied on store clerks to help them, some used credit cards and others folded certain corners to help distinguish between bills.

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The blind have adapted quite well and actually operate some snack bars in court houses I have been in. If the ruling stands I suspect the easiest way to change the currency is to use different sizes or put notches on the bills.

I sure hope they don't think not getting a driver's license is discriminatory.