SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. -- The new five-dollar bills being distributed by the government are designed to prevent counterfeiting, but they also have some benefits for the blind.

According to the Somerset County Association for the Blind, the old five may have large print, but the green color tones make it very difficult for people with vision problems to distinguish the currency.

Association officials said the majority of people can see some type of color or images. It's only a very small percentage who are completely blind. Because of this, there's been a movement over the last few years for the government to step up and make American currency easier for the visually impaired to use.

The new fives have more color in them and are different from the new 10s, 20s and 50s.

"While raised dotes and color would be ideal for everyone, I do have to applaud the government for taking a step in the right direction," said Rob Stemple from the Association of the Blind.

Stemple hopes all bills will soon have different colors.