[AERNet] currency issue examined

[cmlien at juno.com]

DisabilityNation episode 17 premiers Sunday, December 3. Here's what's on
the show this week.

This week a judge ruled that the United States Department of the Treasury
is discriminating against blind individuals by not providing paper
currency in
an accessible format. In fact, the United States is one of the few
countries issuing paper currency that does not take steps to provide
features that could
make bills more easily identifiable to the blind. The American Council of
the Blind brought the suit and believes that making currency more
accessible
will increase the independence of the blind. However, The National
Federation of the Blind has a different philosophy, believing that this
decision could
in reality hurt the blind by limiting employment opportunities and the
ability of the blind to fully participate in society. This contradiction
in philosophy
reflects some very stark differences between the organizations. Does this
hurt the blind community and  does society in general harbor greater
negativity
toward blind and disabled people because of disagreements like this? The
next episode of DisabilityNation will examine the issues around the
courts decision
this week and the philosophy associated with the ACB and NFB positions.

DisabilityNation 17 will feature interviews with Melanie Bruncen,
Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind and James Gashel,
Executive Director
for Strategic Initiatives for the National Federation of the Blind. Be
sure to check out this episode when it premiers on Sunday, December 3.
Visit

http://www.disabilitynation.net

to listen to the show and to get more information about this and other
issues impacting the disability community.