Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Money

Ever wonder what it's like to go shopping and not be able to tell a $1 bill from a $5 bill from a $10 bill from a $20 bill??

In the U.S., all our bills feel the same, so if you are blind, you need to have your own system for differentiating your bills or be at the mercy of the clerk giving you your change.

I heard on NPR today that a federal judge ruled that our bills are discriminatory against people who are blind.

"Of the more than 180 countries that issue paper currency," Judge James Robertson wrote in his decision, "only the United States prints bills that are identical in size and color in all their denominations. Every other issuer includes at least some features that help the visually impaired."

Read or listen to the story here.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

David, a little birdy named Steve Kuusisto says it's your birthday. Many, many happy returns, and keep on blogging!

-- Georgia

Anonymous said...

David,

No matter what shape, size, or denomination I hope somebody sticks a couple bills into your birthday card.

Happy Birthday (from somebody who had one just a few days ago himself!)

Scott