[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 250--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING 
      TACTILE CURRENCY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS

  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:

                              S. Res. 250

       Whereas currency is used by virtually everyone in everyday 
     life, including blind and visually impaired person;
       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 
     world wide; 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) endorse 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.

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