All U.S. dollar banknotes currently printed by its government, from US1 (approximately Rupees 45) bill up to a US100 note, are exactly the same size and colour.

The American Council of the Blind, which brought a lawsuit against the government, said this makes it impossible for blind Americans to identify the currency notes.

In response to the suit, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said in a ruling recently, “The Treasury Department's failure to design and issue paper currency that is readily distinguishable to blind and visually impaired individuals violates section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.”

Melanie Brunson, the executive director of the American Council for the Blind, said, "We were very pleased with the decision that the court made and we think that it's a significant development."

Asked if the council was seeking particular changes to dollar bills, Brunson replied, "At this point we're not making a recommendation. We wanted to get the Treasury Department engaged instead of just ignoring the whole problem and saying nothing was feasible."