Monday, March 05, 2007

It's All About the Money

Former State Secretary for Disabilities Kristen Cox, who Ehrlich selected as running mate in the 2006 election, came out against making money easier for the blind to identify by adding Braille dots or varying its size and color:

I acknowledge that for some (especially those who have recently lost their vision) handling money can be inconvenient or even overwhelming at first. However, with a few easy-to-learn techniques (such as folding each denomination differently or using a hand-held optical-scanning money reader), a blind person can use money as anyone else does.

By labeling what may be an inconvenience to some as discrimination, the judge has set forth a false impression of the real challenges and barriers blind people face. With an estimated 70 percent unemployment rate, persistent underemployment and a lack of access to crucial workplace and public technologies, most blind people struggle with having enough money to meet their basic needs -- not with using it.

I guess the greenback will remain a greenback (or a green-and-orangeback) if Cox has her way.