CARSON CITY, Nev. (KOLO) – The Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation has become the first agency in the state to distribute iBill Currency Readers to help the blind and visually impaired.
The currency readers are the size of a credit card, allowing it to be carried in your pocket or purse. The device works by inserting a bill into it and pressing the top button. Once that is done, you can see the denomination of the bill.
The device can also be used 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 reader can be bought for a price of $180, but DETR is offering it to the blind and visually impaired at no charge. Visit this link for more information.
“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.”
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