Submission to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. February 2005.

The Foundation added to its submission a statement of acknowledgement and appreciation that the Reserve Bank of NZ had undertaken careful and timely consultation overproposals to changethe country's lower value coins. The Foundation asked the Reserve Bank to consult again should the design of any coin be amended in any way.

The importance of well designed coins

The Foundation supports the changes to New Zealand’s “silver” coins as proposed by the Reserve Bank. Coins that are good for blind people to handle are likely to be good for the community generally. Well designed and distinguishable coins and notes ensure that people can be independent in handling their finances and participate in all manner of community activities that involve cash transactions. The test is: "can I hold this coin and at once recognise it without comparing it with another coin?" Sighted people, too, will find differentiation beneficial in places where lighting is poor, when reaching for coins in a pocket or purse, or when hurriedly grabbing change at a bus stop.

Comments on the changes

5 cent coin

The coin will be withdrawn: no formal comment from the Foundation.

10 cent

The Foundation supports making the 10 cent coin of reddish coloured copper-plated steel, 20.5mm, no milling (i.e. a smooth edge).

20 cent

The Foundation supports making the 20 cent coin of nickel-plated steel, 21.75mm, Spanish flower milling. Confusion with the $2 coin will not occur.

50 cent

The Foundation supports making the 50 cent coin of nickel-plated steel, 24.75 mm, no milling (i.e. a smooth edge).

General comments

The Foundation supports coins of smaller size and lighter weight. The Spanish flower milling is particularly clear. This is preferred over the heavy milling used on the Euro 10 cent coin. The use of non-milled coins will be helpful in distinguishing new coins from existing coins, which is critical in the transition period when old and new coins will be in use together.

Publicity

When it comes to the point of informing the public about new coins, it is essential that information be accessible to blind, deafblind, and vision-impaired citizens. The Reserve Bank's communications budget must therefore include provision for accessible formats: audio, braille, tactile diagrams of the proposed coins, electronic text, and large print.

Accessible web pages must offer any downloadable documents in Word or text form as well as PDF. PDF files are not reliably accessible to people using adaptive technology such as talking screen readers. The Telephone Information Service operated by the Foundation is an excellent way to communicate essential information in audio form to blind people throughout New Zealand.