Hats off to the entire team for meeting and sensitizing the RBI officials. As someone rightly stated, it is (RBI) n only an implementing body so we should strongly push this key concern with Government officials and honorable Courts. In my View also the different sizes of the notes are the more practical solution. We can also think of embossing Braille numbers in terms of 50, 100, 200 numbers respectively at each corners of the currency bills. In the meanwhile, we can use different pockets of our purses for differentiating the currency or can try to use as much as possible the digital payment system.
On 9/23/17, P. Subramani via Ai <ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in> wrote: > meetings with ower people of rbi and the ministry although good will not > get any steps forward as they are bound by certain rules, also they are mere > implementers rather than decision-makers, the last possible option is to > meet the finance minister to explain equovically the blind aren't able > identify these new notes, the same should be withdrawn and restore the sizes > of old notes, even if they have croers on new designs etc., its their > headache to have come up with solutions including for the blind, we must > bring this to pm's attention to find a immediate/suitable solution, or > else, we will be left in the dark in the use of new notes > E-Mail: subramani6...@gmail.com > Mob: 9738150192 > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ketan Kothari via Ai" <ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in> > To: "Share, empower &Enrich" <ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in> > Cc: "Ketan Kothari" <muktake...@gmail.com> > Sent: Friday, September 22, 2017 12:08 PM > Subject: Re: [Ai] Representation to RBI for accessible Indian Currency, an > update on meeting with RBI > > >> Dear Friends, >> >> Extremely good work. I remember having participated in at least 2 >> meetings of this nature. Unfortunately, not much has yielded. Also, >> the problem of coins is equally challenging and is getting worse. >> >> Actually, I feel that we must take up this issue with the minister of >> finance as at a certain level, RBI is also bound by executive orders. >> >> With best wishes, >> >> Ketan >> >> On 9/20/17, Blind Graduates' Forum of India (BGFI) via Ai >> <ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in> wrote: >>> Hi all, >>> >>> Here is a brief update on our meeting with RBI authorities. >>> We had Kanchan Pamnani, Suhas Karnik, Amar Jain and myself Vishal >>> Kumar Jain attending the meeting. First of all thanks a lot for all >>> those who have supported with a lot of ground work and those who wrote >>> to the authorities which enabled us have this meeting in the first >>> place. >>> >>> We discussed on each of the points highlighted in the representation. >>> The RBI team was relatively new to the subject and unfortunately they >>> were not updated with earlier conversations on it. Overall it was a >>> much needed discussion and the team was receptive to listen to our >>> suggestions. However the team avoided making any commitments. Below >>> are the key highlights: >>> 1. The longest conversation was on size variation which remains a >>> major issue. If RBI goes ahead with their plan, the size variation of >>> notes will come down from 10mm to around 4mm with the introduction of >>> new Rs. 100, Rs. 20 and Rs. 10 notes. More over the width of all the >>> notes is expected to be the same (66mm). This will make it close to >>> impossible for us to identify the notes. While the team understood our >>> concerns, they expressed their own challenge of maintaining variation >>> due to reduction in overall size of the notes. >>> 2. The team was taken aback to understand that the bleed line and >>> tactile markings are not perceivable. They accepted the fact and >>> confirmed to prioritize on finding a solution to make it perceivable. >>> They also expressed technical challenges in making it happen. >>> 3. Inputs on low vision friendly features was welcomed and they plan >>> to continue with contrast color, color variation, font size, etc. >>> 4. Fake notes issue was acknowledge and they thought of focusing on >>> perceptible tactile markings and keeping the texture of notes >>> different from normal paper. >>> 5. The team confirmed to pass on inputs related to issues other than >>> currency notes to relevant departments and discussion on accessible >>> websites and apps was in brief. >>> 6. Most importantly we discovered that RBI had interactions with NGOs >>> and teams like us in the past. However the inputs and suggestions have >>> not been valued given the fact they have gone ahead with lower size >>> variation and unperceivable tactile markings in the new notes. >>> >>> So on the whole the meeting was productive in sensitizing the team on >>> our needs. At the same time it doesn’t assure of our issues getting >>> sufficiently addressed any time soon. Unless we intensify our voice >>> and raise the issue on all possible forums, we will end up having >>> notes with very little size variation making it highly inaccessible. >>> We will continue our effort on this. However we would need more active >>> involvement from each of you and your network to really get them to >>> act on our suggestions. >>> >>> Thanks and regards, >>> Team BGFI. >>> >>> >>> >>> On 9/18/17, Blind Graduates' Forum of India (BGFI) >>> <contact.b...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> Dear all, >>>> >>>> Please find below the representation that we intend to share and >>>> discuss with RBI during our meeting in person. Have incorporate >>>> recommendations considering short term and long term needs of persons >>>> with visual impairment. The meeting is tomorrow, so please share your >>>> feedback if any by today night. >>>> >>>> --- >>>> >>>> To >>>> Governor >>>> Reserve Bank of India >>>> Mumbai. >>>> Subject: Representation to make Indian Currency notes easily >>>> identifiable for the blind citizens >>>> >>>> Respected sir, >>>> Blind Graduates Forum of India brings to your kind notice the issue of >>>> difficult-to-use Indian currency notes. We, the blind citizens face >>>> some genuine inconveniences in identifying various currency notes in >>>> circulation including the newly introduced ones. This has made daily >>>> living very difficult and has led to direct negative impact on >>>> livelihood for blind individuals across the country. >>>> >>>> Kindly consider the following recommendations to make Indian Currency >>>> accessible for the blind: >>>> 1. Define Indian Currency Accessibility Guidelines to be mandatorily >>>> factored in every new release of notes and coins. >>>> 2. Mandate adoption of available accessibility guidelines for mobile >>>> apps and websites meant for making financial transactions. Communicate >>>> the guidelines extensively to all the stakeholders. >>>> 3. Use both length and width of the notes to differentiate between >>>> each of the notes. The length of the new Rs. 2000, Rs. 500, Rs. 200 >>>> and Rs. 50 is the same. >>>> 4. Categorize notes into two sets in terms of sizes, one for lower >>>> denominations and the other for higher denominations. Differentiate >>>> each set with a minimum of 10mm in length. >>>> 5. Maintain variation of at least 10mm in width between every note, >>>> for both lower and higher denominations. For instance the variation in >>>> length between Rs. 200 and Rs. 500 is just 4mm which is extremely >>>> difficult to differentiate. >>>> 6. Incorporate easily perceptible tactile marking, embossed letters >>>> and / or bleed lines. These features should not fade away with use and >>>> should be very easy to feel. The bleed lines newly introduced in the >>>> new Rs. 2000 and Rs. 500 notes are absolutely not perceivable and are >>>> of no help. >>>> 7. Phase out all the new notes including Rs. 50, Rs. 200, Rs. 500 and >>>> Rs. 2000 notes on priority as its size conflict with the old Rs. 10 >>>> and Rs. 20. This will be easier as the number of new notes under >>>> circulation are relatively lower. >>>> 8. Use different shapes or curved edges for both notes and coins to >>>> differentiate. >>>> 9. Use very distinct colors for people with low vision to identify. >>>> The new notes released recently have been well differentiated by >>>> colors. We appreciate and welcome the change incorporated. >>>> 10. Adopt contrast colors of the note and of the figures highlighting >>>> the denomination. >>>> 11. Use large font size for the figures highlighting the denominations. >>>> 12. The texture of the notes should be different from normal paper. >>>> Maintain the variation in texture in case any other material like >>>> plastic is used in future. >>>> 13. Involve sufficient number of representative sample of blind >>>> individuals for testing of prototype and final version of notes before >>>> every release. >>>> 14. Review Indian Currency Accessibility guidelines every five years >>>> and factor changes in material, technology, user feedback, market >>>> trends and best practices globally. >>>> >>> Disclaimer: >>> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >>> the >>> person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; >>> >>> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the >>> mails >>> sent through this mailing list.. >>> >>> >>> >>> To check if the post reached the list or to search for old posting, >>> reach: >>> https://www.mail-archive.com/ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in/maillist.html >>> _______________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> Ai mailing list >>> Ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in >>> http://accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in/mailman/listinfo/ai >>> >> >> >> -- >> Ketan Kothari >> Phone: [r] 24223281, >> Cell: 9987550614 >> MSN ID: muktake...@hotmail.com >> Skype ID: Ketan3333 >> Disclaimer: >> 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of >> the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its >> veracity; >> >> 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails >> >> sent through this mailing list.. >> >> >> >> To check if the post reached the list or to search for old posting, reach: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in/maillist.html >> _______________________________________________ >> >> >> Ai mailing list >> Ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in >> http://accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in/mailman/listinfo/ai >> > > Disclaimer: > 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the > person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; > > 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails > sent through this mailing list.. > > > > To check if the post reached the list or to search for old posting, reach: > https://www.mail-archive.com/ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in/maillist.html > _______________________________________________ > > > Ai mailing list > Ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in > http://accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in/mailman/listinfo/ai > -- with regards Misbah Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. 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