January 15, 2008 Hon. George H. W. Bush, President of the United States Immediate Office of the President The White House Re: Remarks Supporting Accessible Currency for Americans with Disabilities Dear Mr. President: This is on behalf of the board and officers of the undersigned organizations to express our urgent hope that the administration will undertake actions consistent with the better view that all forms of currency should and can be made accessible for persons with sight disabilities. We support the full accessibility of all forms of currency in the United States. Within the limits of our resources, we will assist individuals and other non-profits who believe in the importance of the accessibility of currency. The undersigned organizations constitute education and advocacy non-profits. The signatories constitute two young attorneys with sight disabilities. We note that, at their November 30, 2007 meeting, councilpersons of the National Council on Disability passed a motion supporting the efforts of the better sphere of the blindness advocacy movement to ensure the accessibility of currency. As advocacy organizations, we hold dismay that this administration claims itself as the herald of disability policy with the New Freedom Initiative and would yet seek to advocate against the sincere efforts of the American Council of the Blind to ensure accessibility to a basic public good and service for people with sight disabilities. As such, we applaud that at least some representatives of the administration actually believe that “actions speak louder than words.” We know that the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), argued at a recent hearing conducted by the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia against the need for the accessibility of currency. We find it unfortunate that the NFB would argue against the accessibility of currency. The public may not realize that the NFB successfully advocated the passage of legislation that mandates, in commemoration of Louis Braille, the United States Department of the Treasury to emboss coins with Braille. Provisions of the same legislation allow the NFB to receive net proceeds from the sell of such coins. The public may also not know that, in the past, the NFB advocated for the accessibility of currency. For proof of that, one only need to research within the pages of the Congressional Record. However, the NFB now claims that accessibility to currency is not necessary. We hold that the accessibility to basic goods and services are more than necessary but are critical as America’s population ages. Age related sight conditions constitute a significant cause of blindness in the United States. Thus, ensuring accessibility constitutes a prudent cause of action not only for persons with sight disabilities but also for older adults. We know that one possible view of the NFB advocates that persons with sight disabilities should rely on techniques, such as, folding money. The NFB also supports the use of existing technology to identify currency. Myriad problems counterweigh these arguments: first, as the decision of the District Court for the District of Columbia indicates, folding currency is not accessible fully. Second, one should not have to procure equipment of an expensive and bulky nature to identify currency when sighted peers can easily grab a twenty out of a pocket or a purse. We additionally note the financial interest of the NFB in such equipment as they operate an assistive technology center in Baltimore, Maryland. In light of these stances by the NFB, we therefore note that its leaders can no longer claim themselves as the “voice of the blind.” We find it unfortunate that the administration chose the negative path of litigation to resolve this matter instead of holding true to the principles of the New Freedom Initiative, that is, enhanced access to federal programs for people with disabilities. Thus, the undersigned support the motion of NCD to request the administration withdraw its appeal of the present matter. We pledge our support to all individuals and organizations should the appeal of ACB v. Paulson result in an adverse decision not consistent with increased access to currency. Should that be the circumstance, we hope that Mr. Levitky will appeal the decision to the United States Supreme Court for disposition. We will be pleased to submit an amicus brief in support of accessible currency at that point. Please do not hesitate to telephone Mr. Jason Perry, Esq., at (614) 419-1898, or Mr. Gary C. Norman, Esq., at (410) 241-6745. Sincerely, Jason Perry, Esq., President Gary C. Norman, Esq., CEO and President CC: Melanie Brunson, Esq., Executive Director
Pat M. Sheehan, President Erik Olsen, President Judge Michael Mukasey, Attorney General Paul D. Clement, Solicitor General John Vaughn John Warner, Senator Jim Webb, Senator Benjamin Cardin, Senator Barbara Mikulski, Senator Stenie Hoyer, Majority Leader |