[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 292 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

  2d Session
S. RES. 292

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

              October 8 (legislative day, October 2), 1998

    Ms. Moseley-Braun 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>