Features to Assist People with a Vision Impairment
As the Reserve Bank of Australia is concerned with how people with a vision impairment differentiate banknotes, it consulted with a number of representative groups while plans for the new series of polymer banknotes were being developed. The Reserve 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 banknotes, and notches or holes in the banknotes. 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 banknotes, and would make the banknotes susceptible to tearing. The use of Braille markings on banknotes 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 banknote with use.
Raised printing is in fact used on Australian banknotes as a security feature because it gives the banknotes a distinctive feel. The denomination numerals, portraits and some other design elements on the new (and old) banknotes are printed with raised ink. The height of such printing is much less than true Braille.
The Reserve 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 banknotes 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 Reserve 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 banknotes. The Reserve 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.
