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LOL. The lack of a consistent design is a core accessibility feature. Most "blind" people have some amount of vision. So starting in 1997 they began adding the
by mike_d 2y ago
LOL. The lack of a consistent design is a core accessibility feature.
Most "blind" people have some amount of vision. So starting in 1997 they began adding the very large numerals on the back and visual inconsistencies to the front so you can tell them apart with limited sight. Have a look at the bills side by side and you can see how they vary the background gradients and layout for easier identification: https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/100 https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/100
With the 2020s series refresh (Catalyst) all the denominations will get a tactile area to assist the completely blind.
The government also provides free of charge to any legally blind person a small device that reads special markings on the bill and will audibly announce or vibrate the denomination. They also funded iOS and Android apps that use the camera.
- jdietrich 2y agoThe accessibility of USD notes is notoriously poor. EUR, AUD or CHF banknotes have a consistent visual theme, but each denomination is a different size, has a bright and distinct predominant colour and they've had tactile features for decades. Sure, they look like monopoly money, but that's a good thing. https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/visually/html/index.en.html https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/visually/html/index.en.html
- Symbiote 2y agoThe US dollar notes are 7 different shades of nothing much, with a man's face in the middle, a near-identical fancy border, and a circular stamp on each side in black and dark green. The numbers are in a decorative font, and merged into the border. On the reverse, there's a building and a similar decorative border. Your link even describes the "subtle background colors"! Only the $5 and $100 have a bold, contrasting number. All the banknotes are the same size. I challenge you to find a circulating currency with worse accessibility.