This story has been featured in a few places but I thought it was worth relinking here, as there are usability and accessibility lessons for web designers in it.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a 2006 district court ruling that could force the United States to redesign its money so blind people can distinguish between values. Suggested solutions include making bills different sizes, including raised markings or using foil printing which is a method of hot stamping that is tactically discernable.
While I’m sure the US isn’t alone in doing this, it is one country that produces dollar bills that are exactly same size, regardless of the note’s value.
The paper currencies of many other countries usually have some sort of size graduation, that sees dollar notes increase in size as value increases.
This at least gives some assistance to blind and visually impaired people, and living in a country where there is not even a remote distinction, must be both frustrating and demeaning.
