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identify these new notes, the same should be withdrawn and restore the sizes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:
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the
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--
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:
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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
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