Category: Let's talk
Hi all
Awhile back, someone posted information about talking money identifiers being distributed through the National Library service free to blind people in the U.S.
WE all weighed in about whether or not we thought this was a good idea. BUT Whether you think so or not, it's about to happen. A pilot program is starting out soon, and you can call a phone number to sign up for the pilot program. THEN next January everyone else will become eligible. Here is the article:
BY THE way, I was happy to se that this is supposedly an interim measure and that tactile bills are still apparently planned for the future.
Good afternoon, the announcement below is from the Bureau of Engravings and Printing (BEP) regarding the availability of currency readers. Here is a link to the webpage with the article that has been pasted in below:
<http://www.bep.gov/uscurrencyreaderpgm.html>
http://www.bep.gov/uscurrencyreaderpgm.html
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
U.S. Department of the Treasury
As an interim measure in advance of issuing tactile-enhanced Federal Reserve notes, the BEP is providing currency readers, free of charge, to eligible blind and visually impaired individuals.
The BEP recently announced its distribution plans for the U.S. Currency Reader Program. Details of the announcement can be found in a press release issued on Thursday, July 3, 2014, and another released on Monday, July 14, 2014.
The U.S. Currency Reader Program will launch in two phases:
Pilot: Beginning September 2, 2014, in partnership with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, (NLS) the BEP will initiate a four-month pilot where NLS patrons can pre-order a currency reader. The pilot program allows the government to test its ordering and distribution processes and gauge demand for currency
readers. To receive a currency reader, eligible individuals who are
currently patrons of NLS need only call 1-888-NLS-READ; the account will be noted and a currency reader will be delivered to the address on file.
National Rollout: Currency readers will be widely available to all U.S.
citizens, or persons legally residing in the U.S. who are blind or visually impaired, starting January 2, 2015. Individuals who are not NLS patrons must submit an application, signed by a competent authority who can certify eligibility. Applications will be available on this website and processed for non-patrons of NLS beginning January 2, 2015.
Additional information about the U.S. Currency Reader Program and about the currency reader device can be found in the links below. The BEP encourages organizations that support the blind and visually impaired community to distribute these materials, or to incorporate the information provided into individualized communications.
*
<http://www.bep.gov/images/MA_-_U_S_Currency_Reader_FAQ_5_6_14_final.pdf>
Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Currency Reader Program
.
<http://www.bep.gov/images/MA_-_U_S_Currency_Reader_Brochure_5_13_14_final.p
df> U.S. Currency Reader Program Brochure
. <http://www.bep.gov/images/iBill_User_Manual_short_version.pdf> Print
Guide for Using the iBillR Talking Banknote Identifier
. <http://www.bep.gov/ibillytred.html> Video Guide for Using the iBillR
Talking Banknote Identifier
Contact Us: For additional questions or comments about the U.S. Currency Reader Program you may call (844) 815-9388 toll-free or email <mailto:meaningful.access@bep.gov> meaningful.access@bep.gov.
I just want to let anyone interested know that I called the 888-NLS-Read number and didn't hear any choices regarding the money identifier. So I called another number and was told the pilot program doesn't start until September 2. So anyone interested will need to wait until then to call.
Thanks for doing the legwork on this.
For those less privileged than us, those without money identification via smartphones, millions of senior citizens with visual impairments around the country, returning war vets, this is going to be really fantastic information.
Putting this in before some young person starts the privileged yada yada yada about how unnecessary it is.
This is really a good thing for an awful lot of people left behind by parts of the digital divide.
I totally agree, Leo. Too many people forget that not everyone is or wants to be up on the latest gadgets, and until the government gets around to making accessible money, having free access to these identifiers will be very helpful.
It is a good deal.
I wonder how much a money reader cost though?
I'll not apply, because I own an iPhone with such on it, but this is good.
I think the newer money identifiers cost about $100. At least, they did a few years ago. So, certainly more reasonably priced than most technology for the blind, but I can see how some people would benefit from getting it for free.
My reason for asking the price, was, I wanted to know how much these cost, compared to an iPhone, or Android device.
You see, the government also provides free cellular service to these that qualify.
If you are blind, you do, but they don't offer accessible phones.
The phones are usable, because they are simple flip phones, but you understand what I mean.
My thinking was, if these devices were really expensive, maybe a choice could be given as to what device you wanted.
An accessible phone, or just the regular device.
You'd have to factor in the cost of the data plan.
The government has issued an app for the blind for reading bills. I don't have it, because I already have Looktel's app.
Out of curiosity what's the government's app called?
The Government covers that cost though Leo in the free cellular service they offer.
You might not get data, but you get unlimited calling.
My mony app doesn't require data to work. And it can be installed with WiFi or a computer iTunes setup.
So, that is why I figured a phone option could work.
Cell providers let iPhones go all the time free.
Maybe you don't get a 5S, but these 8BG 4S would work, or even 4.
On the Android side, there are lots of options as well.
Just a muse.
I'm bringing this topic up cause I wanna clear up the fact that money readers won't actually be distributed till next year.
the articles I've read made it sound like people might start receiving them pretty quickly, but when I got myself put on the waiting list yesterday, I found out that isn't the case.
oh, and, to answer Wayne's question about how much these typically run, they're around $120 or so.
Yes, I also found out after a phone call that they won't be available until next year. The original article is deceiving.
I wonder if they'll be useful by then?
I know everyone doesn't own, nor want an iPhone, or accessible Android, but these are actually cheaper in many cases then the money readers.
Hopefully they have a USB connection and a means to update the firmware. This way when treasury notes change, a new firmware can be updated to everyone, deployed at once, and without people having to send back their unit.
It shouldn't need updating. It works, or it doesn't.
It only reads money.
That is another thing about the app, it can read different types or currency. I wonder if this one will be limited to US currency only?
Makes sense if so, but I wonder.
Except when the money changes somehow, and then the software would have to change in order to recognize it properly. Old money identifiers would need to be sent back, before firmware updates could be applied.
Thought I’d update this and ask a question.
I receive a newsletter from my state library services about every 4 months.
The latest was issued in September, but mine has been laying around in the envelope unread, and serving as a place to rest my phone, coffee cup, and such for things I don’t want scratched or on table tops.
I read it, and learned Colorado has started distributing these currency readers, and plans to have them all out to the people that are registered and wanting one by December 31.
Are any of you in other places receiving these yet?
If so, what do you think?
I didn’t, and won’t ask for one, due to having the Look Tel Money reader, but I’m interested in others opinions.
I had to call my local NLS library this past week and asked about it. I was told they'd be shipped by the end of the year as well.
The odd thing is that I'm part of several different groups and lists and have received no info on these Ibills from any of the groups.
as I posted earlier in this topic, I was told the same as the last two posters, that they would ship before the year's end.
however, as I also think I said earlier, I was then told (by two different NLS workers) that they had no idea when the readers would be shipped.
so, I'd say that our best bet is to just wait like we've been doing all along, rather than trying to figure them out, cause it seems like there's really no way for anyone to know when we'll get them.
Colorado claims there shipping them now. They started in September.
that's probably specific to that state, then, since Texas, at least, said they were not being shipped out till a later date.
Right. That was why I ask if anyone else was receiveing them now.
In Texas, probably Rick Perry is sittin' on 'em, looks ridiculous a grown man roosting over a bunch of money identifiers like a giant bird over a clutch of freshly-laid eggs.
got mine in the mail today, which is perfect timing as the one I purchased when they first came out has grown increasingly finicky as to when it will cooperate and identify money
I live in Ohio, and although I haven't requested one yet, a friend of mine who also lives here got his a couple days ago.
I had one described to me. These are cheaper devices then I thought they'd be.
Now, how do they work in the world?
mine arrived to me a day or so ago, with a dead battery. so, I know how it's supposed to work, but don't know how smooth it speaks.
for anyone who doesn't know, the device is keychain size.
It speaks very smoothly and comes with a handy CD with instructions.
Forereel, you just slide the bill into the slot and then press a button to identify the bill. You can put it in speech, tone or vibration mode and it comes with a headphone jack although I'll be darned if I can find it.
IBill 2 (this version) is even more solid and sturdy than the first and seems like it will last better.
Sounds pretty neat.
I'd say they work great. Got mine last week and it's read everything I put in it. Very happy with it.
I just got a battery for this device yesterday, and am personally very underwhelmed with it.
the device does not speak, or otherwise indicate, the different modes that it has. so, the only way to know what mode you're in, is by reading the instructions all the time, or memorizing them.
Still awaiting mine. When it arrives, I've got some warn and sticky $1 bills I'll throw at it. LOL.
My IBill finally arrived today! I appreciate the inclusion of the manual in all those formats, both on the cd and a paper Braille insert. I find it difficult to orient bills, in the unit, for reliable identification.
it isn't difficult, once you get it up and running; the problem may be that the battery is too dead to be able to identify any bills.
Dave, assuming the issue isn't the battery life, once you slide the bill in, try putting your finger on the end to hold it in place while you push the button. I've found that this helps prevent the bill from sliding with this new easier insert model.
Hope it helps.
Thanks, all, for your help! My bill identifying troubles were, as suspected, a matter of practice. In a recent run, the machine identified 10'/10 bills correctly. I still may change the battery; who knows how long the thing sat on a shelf with a battery in.
Don't these also have a USB port for firmware updates? I'm suspecting the older model VH described was not user-updatable, so as currency changed the system became finickier as its software was not designed to handle newer currency. Anyway I hope these have USB ports and that users can update them independently.
no, this device doesn't have USB capability. it's keychain-sized, and battery-operated only.
I don't think currency will be changing. It hasn't in how many years.?
These devices will either be lost, or broken by that time.
I suspect they'll just send out new ones when required.