Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s promise in his maiden budget to make rupee notes and coins more accessible for the blind echoes a broad commitment to correct long-standing disadvantages that arise out of physical disabilities. Mr. Jaitley’s idea could be an outstanding example of the practical application of the concept of universal design. On this view, if you want to make provision for the disabled, you incorporate special-needs components into the general design of all infrastructure, products and services. The blind in India identify paper currency partially, as denominations-wise they come in different sizes — the greater the value of a bank note, the larger the size. You cannot eliminate altogether the element of chance in identifying a rupee bill without an improvised device. There are also other indicators on bank notes — various shapes displayed in raised print — to represent particular denominations. These can be felt by touch only on new bank notes. But it can still be hard to decipher the values they connote. Similarly, there are in circulation today coins of the same denomination in different sizes (two rupees), as also coins of different denominations in the same size (50 paise and one rupee). Besides, there are three types of five-rupee coins, all of which can cause confusion to the blind. Standardisation and consistency in coin design could ensure the distinctness of each value. Wavy edges and hexagonal shapes were present in coins that have been withdrawn.
International practice favours the adoption of tactile features, for not all users read Braille. Assistive gadgets and mobile applications also help in the identification of currency. There have been major Reserve Bank of India initiatives to promote equal access to banking for the disabled. The installation of voice-activated features on all automated teller machines and the extension of chequebook and locker facilities for the blind are some of them. India’s central bank further requires retail banks to recognise authorised guardians to enable people with cerebral palsy and autism to operate their personal accounts. The overall experience should come in handy for the RBI to determine the precise manner of executing inclusive currency. The Ministries of Railways, Transport and Urban Development, and other arms of the government, should take the cue from the Finance Minister’s proposal. A corollary to the creation of accessible currency notes would be to design all buses and train compartments with provision for low floors and room for wheelchairs. Experience has shown the introduction of disabled-friendly features in strictly designated areas to be an ineffective means to achieve social inclusion. Special provisions become self-defeating when they merely result in further segregation.
