Lighthouse International Responds To Us Court Of Appeals Decision To Make Dollar Bill Recognizable To Blind People
Organization Has Been a Leader in Print Accessibility for Decades
New York, May 20, 2008 -- Lighthouse International, a leader and pioneer in the treatment of people with vision loss, applauds the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Court decision that keeping U.S currency the same size and texture violates the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.
Lighthouse International has been a leader in print, online and building accessibility for visually-impaired people for decades, and in 1998 was instrumental in getting the larger number placed on the $50 dollar bill.
According to Dr. Tara A. Cortes, RN, PhD, CEO and President of Lighthouse International, "Our currency does discriminate and it needs to be changed. Most of the currencies of the world are different sizes as well as color for those who have some color vision. Many countries also include Braille on their bills. The only way for blind and visually-impaired people in this country to distinguish different denominations is to fold the bills differently. This can lead to many problems and blind people must rely on a vendors' honesty. Furthermore, as baby boomers get older and diseases like diabetes and macular degeneration increase dramatically, millions more will be affected by vision loss. Changing U.S. currency is long overdue and is the right step to take."
Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading non-profit organization that helps people of all ages who are at risk for, or are experiencing, vision loss. Through services, education, research and advocacy, the Lighthouse enables people with low vision and blindness enjoy safe, independent and productive lives. For more information about vision loss, its causes and what you can do about it contact Lighthouse International at 1-800-829-0500. For more information about the Lighthouse, visit www.lighthouse.org.