[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 90 (Thursday, May 9, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27295-27296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11013]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY


Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, on behalf of itself and the 
United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) and as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites 
the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on one new 
proposed information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). The BEP has 
requested and received approval for a generic clearance to conduct 
conference studies and focus groups. This generic clearance has allowed 
the BEP to collect information from attendees of conferences and 
gatherings for persons who are blind and visually impaired about which 
tactile features most effectively provide meaningful access to 
denominate United States paper currency. The new clearance will allow 
the BEP to engage in a scientific study that will help gauge the acuity 
with which blind and visually impaired persons can denominate United 
States paper currency using various, tactile features currently being 
evaluated. Initially, the BEP had planned to request a second generic 
clearance for the scientific study, allowing flexibility for multiple 
iterations and different protocols. However, given the results of 
research and the smaller studies conducted with the first generic 
clearance, BEP will request a stand-alone clearance for a more focused 
study. The 60-day notice for the initial generic clearance was 
published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2012 (77 FR 4626). No 
comments were received.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before June 10, 2013 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding these information collections should be 
addressed to the BEP Contact listed below and to the Treasury 
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Department of the Treasury, Room 
11000, 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20220.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the submission(s) may be 
obtained by contacting Sidney Rocke, Deputy Chief Counsel, United 
States Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 
14th and C Streets SW., Washington, DC 20228, by telephone at 202-874-
2306, or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Study for Meaningful Access Determination.
    OMB Control Number: NEW.
    Abstract: A court order was issued in American Council of the Blind 
v. Paulson, 591 F. Supp. 2d 1 (D.D.C. 2008) (``ACB v. Paulson'') 
requiring the Department of the Treasury and BEP to ``provide 
meaningful access to United States currency for blind and other 
visually impaired persons, which steps shall be completed, in 
connection with each denomination of currency, not later than the date 
when a redesign of that denomination is next approved by the Secretary 
of the Treasury . . .''
    In compliance with the court's order, BEP intends to meet 
individually with blind and visually impaired persons and request their 
feedback about tactile features that BEP is considering for possible 
incorporation into the next U.S. paper currency redesign. BEP employees 
will attend national conventions and conferences for disabled persons.
    The BEP intends to contract with a specialist in the field of 
tactile acuity to conduct scientific tests. The specialist contracted 
with by the BEP will conduct acuity testing with select groups of blind 
and visually impaired volunteers. The acuity tests will help either 
confirm or provide other perspectives on the results of BEP's 
information collections at national conferences and conventions. The 
acuity tests will also help provide a scientific basis on which BEP 
determines the tactile feature to be incorporated into the next United 
States paper currency design.
    The BEP's information collection activities at national conferences 
may use identical methodologies or otherwise share a common element as 
those employed by a specialist contracted with by BEP to perform a 
scientific acuity study.
    Type of Review: New Collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals, Organizations.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    The study will likely involve up to 500 subjects. Each individual 
data collection session will be approximately 60 minutes long.
    Estimated Average Time per Respondent: 60 minutes per response.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Approximately 500 burden 
hours.
    Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice 
will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval. All comments will become a matter of 
public record. The public is invited to submit written comments 
concerning: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the Bureau, including 
whether the information will have practical uses; (b) the accuracy of 
the above estimate of the burden of the proposed information 
collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the

[[Page 27296]]

reporting burdens on respondents, including the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Direct Comments To: Desk Officer for Treasury, New Executive Office 
Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, or email at [email protected] and (2) Treasury PRA Clearance Officer, 1750 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Suite 8140, Washington, DC 20220, or email at 
[email protected].

Robert Dahl,
Treasury Department PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-11013 Filed 5-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-25-P