CARSON CITY, NV – The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) Bureau of Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired opens a new window, is the first agency in the state to distribute iBill Currency Readers through a recently formed partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
The iBill Currency Reader is a device that is smaller than the size of a credit card and can be carried in a pocket or purse. When the bill is inserted into the device one can press the top button and it will announce the denomination of the bill. This device is designed for people with low or impaired vision and for deaf blind users.
“Since a person with hearing loss can’t hear the announcement of the money, they can feel the vibration to identify the bills,” said Tamina Severtsen, Rehabilitation Instructor at the Nevada Bureau of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. “For example, a short vibration means it is a one-dollar bill. It also has beeping features which indicate one dollar, or five dollars based on the number of beeps. By counting the beeps people can identify their money.”
The cost of this product through retailers is $179.99. However, DETR’s Bureau of Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired is distributing this resource at no charge. Interested clients should visit this link for more information: https://www.bep.gov/services/currency-accessibility/us-currency-reader-program opens a new window.
“I use the currency reader to check my change before I step away from the counter,” said a participant of the Older Blind program. “I love my independence and I don’t have to rely on anyone to identify my money.”
DETR Vocational Rehabilitation opens a new window staff are available for interviews and a demo of the iBill Currency Readers.
