The U.S. Treasury Department discriminates against blind people by issuing same-size paper currency whose value is indistinguishable to those unable to see, a federal judge ruled.

Of 180 countries that issue paper money, only America prints bills that are identical in size for all denominations, U.S. District Judge James Robertson in Washington said.

“Plaintiffs have demonstrated that they lack meaningful access to U.S. currency,” Judge Robertson said in an order yesterday. “This court has neither the expertise, nor, I believe, the power, to choose among the feasible alternatives, approve any specific design change, or otherwise dictate to the Secretary of the Treasury how he can come into compliance with the law.”

Judge Robertson said the Treasury Department’s failure to design a currency that the nation’s blind and visually impaired can easily use violates federal law. Over the past decade, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing spent $4.2 billion on currency production, including the cost of two redesigns, the judge said.

Judge Robertson scheduled a conference for next month with the government and the plaintiff, the American Council of the Blind, to discuss how American money can be brought into compliance.

“We’re glad the judge agreed with our position,” the council’s executive director, Melanie Brunson, said in an interview. “There’s still a long way to go.”

The government may appeal, which would cause a delay of the conference, Judge Robertson said.