Agreed! Mobile apps at this point in time is the privilege of a select few! Not a universal solution.
-----Original Message----- From: Ai [mailto:ai-boun...@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in] On Behalf Of Mahendra Galani via Ai Sent: Friday, September 22, 2017 7:36 PM To: Share, empower &Enrich Cc: Mahendra Galani Subject: Re: [Ai] Representation to RBI for accessible Indian Currency, an update on meeting with RBI i feel, its not an universal solution, At 05:53 PM 9/22/2017 +0530, you wrote: >Would it help if the face value is also printed in QR code ? We could >then develop a simple solution to identify the denominations in the >form of a mobile app , or a seperet tiny gadget altogether > >On 21-Sep-2017 9:53 AM, "Sana Samad via Ai" ><<mailto:ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in>ai@accessindia.inclusivehab >itat.in> >wrote: >I agree with BGFI that a lot of effort needs to be done. But I am sure >we will successedeed in our mission. > >On 9/20/17, Blind Graduates' Forum of India (BGFI) via Ai ><<mailto:ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in>ai@accessindia.inclusivehab >itat.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) > > <<mailto:contact.b...@gmail.com>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/maill > ist.html>https://www.mail-archive.com/ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat. > in/maillist.html > > _______________________________________________ > > > > > > Ai mailing list > > > <mailto:Ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in>Ai@accessindia.inclusivehab > itat.in > > http://accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in/mailman/listinfo/ai > > > > >-- >   Regards >  Sana Samad >Phone No.- 9899467078 >Email Id: <mailto:sanasamad...@gmail.com>sanasamad...@gmail.com >(All personal/academic mails)) >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/mailli >st.html>https://www.mail-archive.com/ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in >/maillist.html _______________________________________________ > > >Ai mailing list ><mailto:Ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in>Ai@accessindia.inclusivehabi >tat.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/maillis >t.html _______________________________________________ > > >Ai mailing list >Ai@accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in >http://accessindia.inclusivehabitat.in/mailman/listinfo/ai with warm regards Mahendra Galani Whatsapp/Viber/Skype/Imo/Facetime +43 699 174 555 95 Festnetz +43 1 961 77 47 Addresse, Arneth gasse 45/2/2 1160 Vienna, Austria, Europe 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
