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People who are blind or visually impaired are just
like everyone else when it comes to money – they need to be sure it
doesn’t slip away before the end of the month.
U.S. District Judge James Robertson recently ruled on
a lawsuit by the American Council of the Blind, saying the government
must give blind people “meaningful access” to money; not doing so
violates the Rehabilitation Act.
He noted that of the 180 countries issuing paper
currency, only ours lacks features to help visually impaired individuals
tell bills apart.
Not surprisingly, this issue is stirring debate. The
Justice Department appealed the decision, with a hearing scheduled for
January. The National Council of Private Agencies for the Blind and
Visually Impaired applauds the decision. Another organization, the
National Federation of the Blind, says raising this issue will
discourage hiring of visually impaired people.
NFB notes many employers mistakenly believe that it’s
hard for the workplace to accommodate needs of blind or visually
impaired workers. In fact, federal data show most accommodations for
such employees cost under $500. Because 70 percent of working-age blind
people are unemployed, the NFB prefers opening more job opportunities to
provide meaning full access to money.
The currency question is important because the number
of people with visual impairment will double by 2030, Baby Boomers are
aging, and severe vision loss mostly affects seniors. In Broward County
today, about 53,000 people suffer from significant vision loss, nearly
9,000 are legally blind. Many more people will have a tough time telling
a dollar bill from a twenty when they get change from a stranger.
For the answer, stroll the aisles of any major office
supply store. We used to make do with plain manila folders. Then
businesses began applying design principles to reduce errors and
streamline organizational tasks. Products to label, color-code, flag,
identify, distinguish, mark, highlight, warn and separate now number in
the thousands.
This design ingenuity should be applied to our
currency. It benefits everyone. The unpopularity of the $2 bill and the
dollar coin, which is virtually indistinguishable for the quarter, shows
we all get nervous about losing money.
We are doing the right thing by installing ramps
designed for people who use wheelchairs and have found they are an
advantage for others as well – whether they are making a delivery or
pushing baby strollers.
It’s time we made the design of our money work for
all of us, too.
Dr. Elly du Pré is executive director
of the Lighthouse of Broward, which helps people who are blind or
visually impaired achieve independence.
Q. What is your professional or volunteer job and
what’s your favorite part of it?
A. I am the executive director of
the Lighthouse of Broward. We teach people who are blind or visually
impaired the skills they need to live more independently. My involvement
in this field has always made me happy because of the life-changing
results I witness. People who relied on vision for a whole lifetime come
to the Lighthouse and learn how to manage at home, cross the street and
do a whole host of other every day activities – without normal sight.
Q. Who has had the greatest impact on your life
and/or career?
A. A woman I met in 1975 when she
was in her late 60s. She was deaf and blind and had moved to a small
single room efficiency in Miami Beach. I was supposed to teach her safe
travel skills using the long cane. She taught me by her example of
spirit, determination, the power of laughter and preserving dignity
under very difficult circumstances. Her personal story is very powerful.
She lived to be 93.
Q. Most rewarding aspect of a volunteer?
A. A volunteer does things purely
for the love of doing them. At the Lighthouse, volunteers show people
who are newly visually impaired that they are important and that their
hard work to learn new ways of doing everything is worth it. Our
volunteers are such a wonderful and credible source of support for our
clients because they know the volunteer is there just for them, not for
a paycheck.
Q. What makes a lasting impression?
A. Simple sincerity.
Q. Favorite community groups and charities?
A. In addition to the Lighthouse of
Broward, of course, my favorite community group is the South Middle
River Community Association where I live. And Why? My east Fort
Lauderdale neighborhood is very diverse. It also is the friendliest
neighborhood I have ever experienced. I just moved there a few months
ago.
Q. What are you most proud of?
A. I am proud of the things my
parents taught me.
Q. Most fun at a charity event?
A. I have discovered the fun of live auctions. We have an art
auction in February, where the bidding is very exciting.
Q. What makes county special?
A. Broward County leaders have demonstrated a commitment to
diversity, which also means valuing access for all to our beautiful
community resources. Ultimately, this commitment translates into
opportunity for people with disabilities.
Q. What community project are you currently
working on?
A. I am in class XXV of Leadership Broward and it is a tremendous
experience.
Q. What’s a perfect day for you?
A. I like to linger over the newspaper with a cup of coffee and
then do some kind of project around the house or yard. It’s rewarding to
look back at the end of the day and see the actual results of my
efforts.
Contact Dr. Elly du Pré at 954-463-4217.
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