[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 250 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

  2d Session
S. RES. 250

 Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding tactile currency for the 
                      blind and visually impaired.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 24, 1996

   Mr. Brown (for himself, Mr. Faircloth, Ms. Moseley-Braun, and Mr. 
 Shelby) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
            Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding tactile currency for the 
                      blind and visually impaired.

Whereas currency is used by virtually everyone in everyday life, including blind 
        and visually impaired persons;
Whereas the Federal reserve notes of the United States are inaccessible to 
        individuals with visual disabilities;
Whereas the Americans with Disabilities Act enhances the economic independence 
        and equal opportunity for full participation in society for individuals 
        with disabilities;
Whereas most blind and visually impaired persons are therefore required to rely 
        upon others to determine denominations of such currency;
Whereas this constitutes a serious impediment to independence in everyday 
        living;
Whereas electronic means of bill identification will always be more fallible 
        than purely tactile means;
Whereas tactile currency already exists in 23 countries worldwide; and
Whereas the currency of the United States is presently undergoing significant 
        changes for security purposes: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) endorses the efforts recently begun by the Bureau of 
        Engraving and Printing to upgrade the currency for security 
        reasons; and
            (2) strongly encourages the Secretary of the Treasury and 
        the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to incorporate cost-
        effective, tactile features into the design changes, thereby 
        including the blind and visually impaired community in 
        independent currency usage.
                                 <all>