New tactile bank notes let blind people get a feel for money

By Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Updated September 18 2016 - 10:08am, first published August 31 2016 - 12:15am
The new $5 note features a small bump on both of the long sides to assist blind and partially sighted people. Photo: RBA
The new $5 note features a small bump on both of the long sides to assist blind and partially sighted people. Photo: RBA
Ally McLeod with her son Connor McLeod, a 15-year-old who was born blind and convinced the Reserve Bank to introduce tactile banknotes. 
 Photo: James Brickwood
Ally McLeod with her son Connor McLeod, a 15-year-old who was born blind and convinced the Reserve Bank to introduce tactile banknotes. Photo: James Brickwood
Bruce Maguire, policy adviser at Vision Australia, demonstrates a device he uses for measuring bank notes. Photo: Janie Barrett
Bruce Maguire, policy adviser at Vision Australia, demonstrates a device he uses for measuring bank notes. Photo: Janie Barrett
Bruce Maguire, policy adviser at Vision Australia,who has been blind since birth is excited about the new Australian money that will feature a tactile element for the vision impaired community. Photo: Janie Barrett
Bruce Maguire, policy adviser at Vision Australia,who has been blind since birth is excited about the new Australian money that will feature a tactile element for the vision impaired community. Photo: Janie Barrett
The new $5 note has tactile features for blind people. Photo: RBA
The new $5 note has tactile features for blind people. Photo: RBA

For Bruce Maguire, the best thing about the new $5 notes coming out this week is the presence of two small bumps "about the size of a chocolate sprinkle".