May 212008
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that the uniform size and texture of American currency constitutes an act of state-sponsored discrimination against the blind and those with visual impairments. Barring any further appeals, this decision could require the Treasury Department to issue redesigned paper bills that are distinguishable on the basis of touch. Expect the usual suspects to make panicked noises about “activist judges”, but this ruling shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone in disability law circles. As the majority points out, the U.S. is one of the few countries that prints paper currency without any variations in size, color, or texture.
Modifications to our existing currency will come with some initial expense, but those costs are minimal in the long run. Canada pulled off a similar feat in 1995 with little fanfare. Surely we’re not going to let Canada get away with showing us up.
