FEATURES TO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH A VISION IMPAIRMENT TO DIFFERENTIATE NOTES

As the Reserve Bank of Australia is concerned with how people with a vision impairment differentiate notes, it consulted with a number of representative groups while plans for the new series of polymer notes were being developed. The Bank continues to maintain contact with Blind Citizens Australia (formerly the National Federation of Blind Citizens of Australia).

Various ways of assisting people with a vision impairment were discussed with the representative groups, including the use of irregular corners on the notes, and notches or holes in the notes. The representative groups were keen on this type of option. In the end, these ideas were rejected for various reasons – they would create problems for others, for example in machine processing of notes, and would make the notes susceptible to tearing. The use of Braille markings on notes was canvassed as well, but the representative groups agreed that these devices would provide little or no help in differentiating denominations. This is because as the ink wears, such markings would not be distinguishable from creases which occur on the note with use.

Raised printing is in fact used on Australian notes as a security feature because it gives the notes a distinctive feel. The denomination numerals, portraits and some other design elements on the new (and old) notes are printed with raised ink. The height of such printing is much less than true Braille.

The Bank concluded that the best ways it could assist people with a vision impairment were to:

• maintain length differentials between denominations – in fact these differentials were increased in the new series of notes from 5 mm to 7 mm. While the representative groups would have preferred greater differentials, they considered 7 mm acceptable;
• maintain strong colour contrasts between denominations; and
• use bolder numerals.

These forms of assistance are very traditional ones. The Bank continues to look for new ways of assisting people with a vision impairment.

Blind Citizens Australia has developed a credit-card-sized device that uses the length differentials to help distinguish notes. The Bank funded the project and the device is being provided by Blind Citizens Australia free to those in need. The toll free number for Blind Citizens Australia is 1800 033 660.