The Reserve Bank of Fiji says the tactile features on the country’s new banknotes were designed to assist blind and visually impaired users after accessibility concerns raised by the United Blind Persons of Fiji.
RBF told fijivillage News that the raised dot features on the banknotes, positioned on the bottom right corner on the reverse side, are intended to support tactile recognition by blind and low-vision users.
RBF says the $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes feature 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 raised dots respectively, and follow the same standards used on polymer banknotes in other countries, including Australia.
They say that the raised line prints along the short edges of the note also has 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 lines on $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes respectively for recognition by the blind and visually impaired.
Despite these design features, the United Blind Persons of Fiji Office Manager Josaia Suqesuqevanua has raised concerns to fijivillage News that the new banknotes do not adequately meet the needs of persons with visual impairment in Fiji.
As a result of ongoing discussions between the two, a note identifier card is now set to be introduced as an interim measure to help users distinguish between denominations.
Suqesuqevanua also criticised the absence of meaningful consultation during the design and development of the new banknotes.
Despite previously serving on the Currency Committee and contributing to accessibility improvements in earlier series, he says UBP was not consulted at any stage of the latest redesign.
UBP has acknowledged that changes to the current banknote series are unlikely in the short term, however, Suqesuqevanua says constructive discussions with the Reserve Bank have resulted in practical interim steps.
He adds that the Reserve Bank is also expected to engage directly with UBP members during the organisation’s Annual General Meeting in March, where nationwide awareness and understanding of the new banknotes will be promoted.
RBF says they remain open to continued engagement with disability stakeholders as awareness efforts around the new currency continue.
New notes were designed to assist visually impaired users - RBF
