Mani App brings Money Vision to India’s Visually Impaired
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After months of planning and preparation, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched the ‘MANI (Mobile Aided Note Identifier)’ mobile application to aid visually impaired people in identifying the denominationEach individual value in a series of banknotes or coins. More of currencyThe money used in a particular country at a particular time, like dollar, yen, euro, etc., consisting of banknotes and coins, that does not require endorsement as a medium of exchange. More notes.
Last year, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed January 4th as the first ever World Braille Day emphasizing the importance of offering access to the written language as a tool to promote fundamental freedoms. Many central banks across the world have inserted tactile symbols – not limited to Braille – on several banknotes worldwide.
India is home to 20% of the world’s visually impaired – that’s nearly 40 million people, including 1.6 million children. Thanks to the MANI mobile app, India’s visually impaired are now able to perform what should be the simplest of everyday tasks. Once the app is installed, users can scan the banknotes using the camera, enabling several uses:
- Capability to identify the denominations of Mahatma Gandhi new and old series banknotes by checking frontFacade, face. See Obverse. More or reverseThe back of the banknote or coin. See Obverse. More side of the note including half-folded notes at various angles and in a range of light conditions (normal light/day light/low light/ etc.)
- Ability to identify the denomination through audio notification in Hindi/English and non-sonic mode such as vibration (suitable for those with vision and hearing impairment).
- After installation, the mobile application does not require internet and works in offline mode.
- Ability to navigate the mobile application via voice controls to access the application features wherever the underlying device and operating system supports voice enabled controls.
- The application is free and can be downloaded from the Android Play Store and iOS App Store without charge.
- This mobile application does not authenticate a note as being either genuine or counterfeitThe reproduction or alteration of a document or security element with the intent to deceive the public. A counterfeit banknote looks authentic and has been manufactured or altered fraudulently. In most countries, currency counterfeiting is a criminal offence under the criminal code. More.
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