Blind to logic

There’s some strange logic is an op-ed piece today in the NYT, written by Mark Maurer, president of the National Federation of the Blind.

Maurer disagrees with a Federal judge’s ruling that blind people are discriminated against because US banknotes are all the same size and color, making it impossible for people who are visually impaired to know which denomination they are holding. The NFB are arguing against this ruling and in support of the Bush administration.

Maurer’s position is that “while blind people cannot identify paper currency by touch, that does not prevent us from spending money.” The problem with this logic is that there’s more to life than spending money. How likely is it that a person who is blind is able to work effectively as a store clerk, bank cashier, or in any other job that requires counting money?

I’ve only visited seven or eight countries in my life, but each one has banknotes that would be easily identifiable by blind and visually-impaired people. The US seems to lag behind in in this regard, and this is one of those social justice issues that seems to have no downside. Sure, redesigning America’s banknotes would cost money, but on the other hand it would also reduce fraud — and allow blind people to work in a greater variety of jobs.

My impression is that Mr. Maurer is cowed by the fear of a backlash against blind people for standing up for their rights. That’s most unfortunate, and in my mind it calls into question his fitness for being head of the National Federation for the Blind.

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