Currency Features for Visually Impaired People (1995) / Chapter Skim
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4 Description and Assessment of Features
4 Description and Assessment of Features
Pages 39-58
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From page 39... ...
It is against this background that the committee has looked at features that could be incorporated into the U.S. banknotes to aid visually disabled people lo recognize one presence or a Banknote, ~aentlty~ng its oenom~nanon and, if possible, providing secure authentication.
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From page 40... ...
Illustrations of various ways to use size to indicate banknote denomination: (a) length only; (b)
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From page 41... ...
In countries where the currency is size-denominated, organizations representing and supporting blind people, such as the Royal National Institute of the Blind and the European Blind Union, recommend continuation of this practice (EBU, 1994; Farber, 1994; King, 1994; larvis, 1994)
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From page 42... ...
More work is needed to identify the optimum sizes, but this needs to involve the BEP to ensure that the cost efficiencies of different sizes, including plate layout considerations, are also taken into account. To determine the optimum set of sizes for six denominations, the approaches used by the many countries that include this denomination cue in their currency should be evaluated.
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From page 43... ...
In addition to the BEP and Federal Reserve hank costs, there would be conversion costs for vending and other cash-handling machines outside the BEP and Federal Reserve banks, as well as other "downstream" costs to merchants and individuals. ~ Banknote designs change frequently around the world, so the numbers in the BEP report are not current.
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From page 44... ...
for sizes that are close. As will be discussed later, corner clipping and edge modifications could both be used in combination with size changes.
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From page 45... ...
Because the concept of using hole location or number of holes to indicate banknote denomination is very simple and would be easy to use, the committee believes that it would be worthwhile for the BEP to assess such issues as the impact of holes on banknote durability and the psychological matters regarding issuing and using banknotes containing holes. VISUA~ONLY FEATURES Visual-only features would benefit everyone except people who are blind.
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From page 46... ...
Large numerals on a plain background are common in foreign currency and were recommended by organizations supporting visually disabled people (EBU, 1994; Farber, 1994; Bennett, 1994)
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From page 47... ...
The availability of many colors of intaglio ink and the capabilities of the intaglio presses make it possible to achieve a different predominant color for each denomination with little increase over current production costs. An alternative use of color to distinguish among denominations would be to apply color in a smaller area in a distinctive shape or coarse pattern (patterns are discussed in the following section)
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From page 48... ...
The committee believes that this feature should be included in future banknotes. Shapes and Coarse Patterns Two additional visual features that have promise are the use of geometric shapes or coarse patterns to denote denomination.
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From page 49... ...
It does indicate that the tactile markings should be kept as simple as possible, with differentiation not depending on subtle differences between denomination symbols. Several foreign countries have used different types of printed or embossed tactile marks on their banknotes with limited success (Koeze, 1990; Cruz V., 1994; Peters, 1994; Soekarna, 1994; Sirkis, 1994; Benali and Iraqi, 1994; Gaiteiro, 1994; Santipong, 1994; Johansen and Bjorgo, 1994; Trach se!
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From page 50... ...
Many of the other countries using these types of features do not have the automated handling and stacking equipment used by the BEP and the Federal Reserve banks in the United States and so may not experience problems due to such markings. One solution to the stacking problem is to not fix this feature to the same location on each note.
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From page 51... ...
The tactile watermark is less prone to this type of degradation than printed or embossed features. If the banknote base paper were a laminated structure, as is now the case for some security papers, it would be possible to punch holes in one of the outside lamination layers (illustrated in Figure 4-41.
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From page 52... ...
The devices can be broken down into two categories: passive devices and active devices. Passive Devices In the section on visual/tactile features, the committee indicated that size differentiation among denominations could be a useful method of discrimination.
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From page 53... ...
Representative Edward Roybal, the BEP recommended continued development of electronic devices for denominating banknotes as the most effective way at that time to address the needs of the low vision and blind communities (BEP, 19831. The committee was aware that Canada is currently promoting the use of a device to assist blind people in recognizing different denominations.
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From page 54... ...
The European Blind Union recommends that there be at least two different ways of discriminating among banknotes using two different senses (EBU, 1994~. It is difficult to quantify the improvement in denomination ease with additional features, but complementary features add to the difficulty of simulation and might improve banknote security (NRC, 1993~.
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From page 55... ...
This feature addresses a large population as well and could be realized with lithe increase in unit costs. A third possibility, the use of geometric shapes and coarse patterns, is seen by the committee as a redundant, additional visual clue that might benefit the sighted but is not considered to be essential if the numerals are large enough and have sufficient background contrast.
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From page 56... ...
The committee recommends that the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve Bank work with the device developers to determine where the most improvements can be made. Feature Combinations As discussed in the Weber criteria section of Chapter 2, there are indications that combinations of features will be superior to any one by itself.
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From page 57... ...
1994. A Report of the European Blind Union Expert Working Group on Currency: Recommendations for the Design of the ECU.
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