[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S11991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 292--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING 
          TACTILE CURRENCY FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

                              S. Res. 292

       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.

 Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, today I am submitting a 
resolution that encourages the Bureau of Printing and Engraving to 
incorporate tactile features on the currency to aid the blind. This 
resolution enjoys considerable bipartisan support, and was passed by 
voice vote in the House of Representatives.
  Four years ago, Mary Scroggs, a constituent of mine, was hit by a 
drunk driver on the sidewalk in front of her office as she walked to 
lunch. As a result, she was left visually-impaired. Since this time, 
she has tirelessly pursued opportunities to improve the ability of the 
visually-impaired to live independently. It was her voice on this issue 
which brings me to introduce this important legislation.
  In March 1994, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing commissioned the 
National Academy of Science to execute a study entitled ``Current 
Features for Visually Impaired People.'' This report explored the 
methods of making currency more accessible for all Americans.
  In 1997, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing began implementing 
significant changes to simplify the identification of currency, such as 
larger numbers and higher color contrast, to ease identification of 
counterfeit currency. This resolution simply endorses the efforts of 
the Bureau of Printing and Engraving to study the cost-effective 
tactile changes to aid those afflicted with low vision or blindness and 
encourages those changes in the national currency.
  This minor change in currency will have a significant impact on the 
independence of visually impaired Americans. Moreover, incorporating 
tactual features can serve other purposes, such as being an additional 
counterfeit deterrent.
  Visually impaired individuals are capable, independent people whose 
valuable contributions touch all of our lives. It is important that all 
Americans are afforded equal opportunities to perform at the best of 
their abilities. I hope all of my colleagues will join me in supporting 
this resolution.

                          ____________________