Assembly Joint Resolution
No. 17
CHAPTER 74
Relative to accessible currency.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
July 03, 2007.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AJR 17, Lieu.
Currency: accessibility.
This measure would urge the United States Department of the Treasury to withdraw its appeal in a case relating to accessible currency and, if that appeal continues, would urge Congress and the President to enact legislation relating to accessible currency, as specified.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, Americans who are blind or have low vision are unable to differentiate between different denominations of United States currency; and
WHEREAS, For more than a decade people with visual impairments have been unsuccessfully attempting to persuade the United States Department of the Treasury to remedy this problem, even though Congress has supported the idea; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 180 nations have currency that, through a variety of means, including different sizes, dot systems, and lines built into the currency, enable persons who are blind or have low vision to differentiate between currency denominations; and
WHEREAS, In fact, the United States is the only major nation in the world where this problem still exists; and
WHEREAS, Not only can this lack of access lead to embarrassment for those with visual impairments, but of far greater import, it has led to instances where fraud has been committed against persons who are blind or have low vision; and
WHEREAS, Although machines are available that can identify currency, they are not affordable for most blind or visually impaired persons, are not always effective, and are not feasible for use in most situations in which these persons must use currency; and
WHEREAS, Experts in the field of security against counterfeit currency have acknowledged that many of the features that promote access for those who are blind or have low vision also further the goal of making counterfeiting more difficult; and
WHEREAS, Implementing changes in the system of currency as a part of the ongoing design modification process undertaken by the United States Department of the Treasury is an inexpensive means for the federal government to solve this problem; and
WHEREAS, In December 2006, in a case brought in federal district court by the American Council of the Blind, the court held that the failure on the part of the United States Department of the Treasury to make its currency accessible to those with visual impairments violated federal law, and that the department must begin to develop a remedy for this violation; and
WHEREAS, Editorials from all over the nation have hailed this decision; and
WHEREAS, The President of the United States, through the United States Department of the Treasury, has decided to appeal this decision; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the United States Department of the Treasury to withdraw its appeal in this case and begin to design the most equitable method for all affected parties to make its currency accessible to persons who are blind or have low vision; and be it further
Resolved, That if the United States Department of the Treasury continues to pursue this appeal, the Congress and President of the United States enact legislation requiring the United States Department of the Treasury to make its currency accessible to persons who are blind or visually impaired; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of the resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, to the United States Department of the Treasury, and to the author for appropriate distribution.