2017-02-27 Mon

Since all US paper currency is of the same size, they cannot be identified by the visually impaired. In May 2011, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner directed that the next generation notes will have some special features like large high-contrast numbers a raised tactile device on each denomination except the $1 note.

A currency reader called iBill will be provided to eligible applicants for free as per the U.S. Currency Reader Program that was introduced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in association with the Library of Congress’ National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

The three modes of the reader include - a clear natural voice, a pattern of tones, or for privacy, a pattern of vibrations. The vibration mode also assists people who are deaf and blind. Over 47,000 currency readers have been distributed and the response has been very positive.

Two new mobile device apps have also been introduced by BEP which can scan a note and have the note’s value communicated back to the user. EyeNote 2.0 is an Apple iOS mobile application and IDEAL Currency Identifier app for Android devices can be downloaded free from Google Play.