The United Blind Persons of Fiji (UBP) has reiterated its demands for meaningful engagement with disability advocates regarding the new banknotes issued by the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) in December 2025. UBP has raised significant concerns that the new currency fails to meet accessibility standards, thereby compromising the independence and dignity of individuals with visual impairments.
As the representative body for blind and low-vision individuals across Fiji, UBP reports that its members are encountering substantial challenges in independently recognizing the new banknote denominations. This situation has rendered everyday financial transactions not only difficult but sometimes unsafe. UBP stated, “Since the introduction of the new banknotes, our members have consistently reported difficulties in identifying denominations independently. This directly affects their ability to manage daily financial transactions with confidence, safety, and dignity.”
One of the primary issues identified is the elimination of distinct size differences between the denominations. Previously, banknotes included a two-inch size variation, a tactile differentiation created in consultation with UBP, which greatly aided blind and low-vision users. However, the new series lacks this easily perceptible distinction, rendering it increasingly challenging for those with visual impairments to differentiate between various bills.
Moreover, UBP voiced disappointment regarding what it termed the lack of genuine consultation during the design and development of these new banknotes, especially given their historical involvement in the Currency Committee. The organization’s concerns are amplified by the fact that prior successful consultations led to improved accessibility features in earlier banknote series.
While the new banknotes incorporate raised dot features intended for tactile identification, UBP criticized these as not adhering to recognized Braille standards, thus rendering them ineffective for individuals seeking to identify denominations. For instance, the $50 banknote is marked with eight raised dots that do not correspond to any recognized Braille symbol, while the $100 banknote’s dots are arranged in a manner that fails to convey any meaningful information.
The design flaws create increased reliance on others, raising the likelihood of financial miscalculations or exploitation, and ultimately hindering the full participation of visually impaired individuals in economic activities. In response to these issues, UBP is calling on the Reserve Bank of Fiji to recognize these concerns and engage in a collaborative and meaningful consultation process with disability stakeholders. They urge the bank to conduct a thorough accessibility review of the current banknote series and implement international best practices for tactile and visual currency accessibility in future designs.
“Accessible currency is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right,” UBP asserted, emphasizing that access to financial resources is critical for economic independence, personal safety, and dignity. The organization also highlighted Fiji’s commitments under the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2018, the National Disability Policy 2024–2033, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, stressing that these obligations must be manifested in the country’s currency design.
This renewed call for action not only seeks to rectify the immediate concerns but also points towards a future where the rights and needs of all citizens, including those with disabilities, are taken into account in national economic frameworks.