Pam Boss works as a communications skills instructor at the ‘Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired’ (U.S.). She is legally blind, and so sometimes relies on others to help her pay bills.

Boss' situation is not unique among blind and visually impaired people. The Clovernook Centre hopes to change all of that by offering a financial education programme that would enable people like Boss to handle their finances independently.

The programme, ‘MoneySmart’ started on August 31, 2006 and will continue till November this year. It consists of a series of workshops that have been specifically designed for the blind or visually impaired people. It seeks to help them gain a better understanding and control over their money.

Some of the financial management tools already available to people in the blind and visually impaired community include guides that help with writing checks, writing letters and addressing envelopes. A guide instrument works by sitting on top of a check. Guides have openings in the spaces where a check would need to be filled out, such as a signature. For those who have some sight, magnifying glasses help. Computer software also can assist both blind and visually impaired people with other aspects of managing their finances.

Now all these means of money management for visually impaired people could become a passé since SmartMoney programme is here.