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Year of people with Disabilities
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Objective : identification of the denomination of euro coins - initial
discovery
Type of visual impairment: blind and partially sighted
Type of training: individual / group of 3 to 5 people maximum
Age: 4 to 104 - non-recreational activity
What is the denomination of the euro coins ?
Objective : to individually learn the denomination of euro coins, through
trial and error and with the help of a trainer ; how many coins there are, what
are their denominations and which denomination corresponds to each coin
Material :1 set of 8 euro coins per participant
Preferably (but not essential), a purse per participant
Number of participants : individual activity; a trainer can however
supervise 1 to 5 participants.
Remark : This activity should be (have been) preceded by another
discovery type activity of the coins' features
Procedure :
- Based on a discussion, the trainer ensures that each participant knows the
number of coins and their denominations
- Each participant receives 1 set of 8 coins all mixed together, the
objective is to try and attribute their correct denomination (value), by
using one's own logic.
- Of course, the trainer will make the necessary corrections, at the end of
the activity.
Remarks :
- This activity should be carried out with an autonomous public, who like to
find out for themselves, rather than "being told" things.
- The discovery of an internal logic in the system and of a few points that
may appear to contradict the participants' own logic generally assist
memorisation.
Points arising from interviews :
- Basic knowledge of the number and denominations of euro coins and
notes
- By age : In all 3 countries, the middle age band
respondents are slightly more knowledgeable than the other 2 age
groups; if we can speak of "knowledge", given the rather
high level of incorrect answers !
Even though younger people are supposed to have been a
privileged target public both of mainstream information campaigns
and at school, a very high number of them do not know these basic
pieces of information : ranging from 50 % in one country not knowing
the number of euro notes to 95 % in another country not knowing the
denominations of euro coins.
- By visual impairment : Blind respondents clearly appear
less knowledgeable than their partially sighted peers, for
comparable age ranges.
- Attributing the right denomination (value) to the right coin
- There were no numerals on the replica coins which we received from
the Mints for the purpose of our interviews. This meant that we
could in no way try and determine to what extent partially sighted
persons would be able to read, or guess values, from even partial
visual perception. Similarly, at this stage we have absolutely no
means of assessing whether any of the numerals would be, to some
extent, perceptible by touch for blind people.
- Not surprisingly, the values confused most frequently were 50 cent
and 1 euro, along with the 5 cent and 10 cent, as 72 and 65
respondents respectively confused them (39 % and 35 % of all
respondents). Size however is not the paramount answer to all
problems, since 9 % of respondents confused the 2 and 5 cent coins,
the 20 and 50 cent coins and the 1 euro and 2 euro coins, when the
size logic was applied.
- By visual impairment : The type of visual impairment plays
an important role. The most striking example is that 43 % of blind
compared with 25 % of partially sighted respondents mistook the 50
cent coin for the 1 euro coin and vice-versa.
- By visual impairment and age : It is worth noting that,
unlike for blind respondents, where the pattern shows a much greater
consistency across all age bands (40 % - 35 % - 36 %), there is a
wide variation between the three age bands in the partially
sighted group, where the confusion rate considerably
increases with age. Confusion rates between the 5 cent / 10 cent
for instance, reaches 16 % for younger respondents, 24 % for the
middle age band and 53 % for older respondents.
Objective : identification of euro coins - discovery
Type of visual impairment : blind and/or partially sighted
For : groups of 3-9
Age : 4-104 - game-based activity
Who has a treasure like mine ?
Objective : Learning to recognise euro coins and express their value,
on the basis of sensory perception and a verbal description (material, size,
shape, thickness, weight, tactile detail)
Equipment : 3 sets of 8 euro coins (minimum)
As many purses as there are participants
Number of participants : between three and nine, one of which is the
lead player. A smaller group is advisable in order to ensure a high degree
of verbalisation of the characteristics of the coins.
How to play :
- The lead player holds a purse containing a complete set of 8 coins,
and each participant receives a purse containing (at least) one coin.
- The lead player takes a coin from his purse (the "treasure"
for children), introduces it verbally using a multisensory approach and
announces its value.
- He then passes his "treasure" to each participant who, in
turn, observes it and puts into words what he perceives.
- When all participants have observed the coin, the lead player asks
"Who has a treasure like mine in his purse ?"
- The participant who thinks he has found in his purse the same
"treasure" as that of the lead player gives it to the lead
player, who then checks that it is the same coin. If it is, the
participant "wins another treasure" (receives another coin
from the lead player, which is drawn from the third set of coins).
Variation 1 : simplified : for younger ones, the game is played with
only some coins from the set at a time: 1, 2 and 5 cent, 10, 20 and 50 cent
or 1 and 2 euro (reduce the number of participants as a result)
Variation 2 : complex : place several coins in the purses (increases
the number of sets of coins required for the activity)
Variation 3 : the "winner" becomes the lead player. He
receives the lead player's purse and gives his own purse, containing a new
coin, to the previous lead player.
Notes :
- If participants describe the coins in their own words, the
trainers/leaders should know the correct terminology: for example, they
refer to the "edge" of a coin; the edge of the 10 cent coin is
described in European terminology as "finely scalloped".
- This activity combines verbal description and sensory perception on
the part of the lead player and the other participants, who have in
their hands the coin described by the lead player and can compare it to
the one(s) they have in their own purse.
Objective : identification of euro coins - memorisation
Type of visual impairment : blind and/or partially sighted
For : groups of 3-9
Age : children-senior citizens
Portrait of the euro coins
Objective :
To learn to recognise the euro coins and express their value, on the basis
of sensory perception (for the lead player) and verbal description for the
other participants (material, size, shape, thickness, weight, tactile
detail).
Equipment :
· as many purses as there are participants
· a number of sets of 8 coins (each purse contains a number of coins)
· a screen (it is surprising to what extent partially sighted children are
likely to use their residual vision, however slight, to "cheat").
Number of participants :
Between two and nine participants, including one lead player. A smaller
group is advisable in order to ensure a high degree of verbalisation of the
characteristics of the coins.
How to play :
- The lead player goes behind the screen, observes the coin he has
chosen and describes it in detail, without mentioning the value.
- During this time, the other participants try and find in their purses
the coin corresponding to the description given by the lead player. When
one player thinks he/she has found it, he/she interrupts the lead player
and announces the value of the coin.
- If he/she has the same coin in his hand as the lead player, and if
he/she has given the correct value, he/she gives his coin to the lead
player.
- The winner is the first one to get rid of all the coins in his/her
purse.
Variations depending on the age and level of the children :
- If all the children receive the same coins, their speed of reaction is
the key; or the leader distributes the coins at random to the children,
and chance and speed of reaction both become factors.
- Simplified : the lead player announces the value of the coin in order
to extend the scope for matching by the participants.
Notes :
- The objective is similar to that of "Who has a treasure like mine
?". However, the accent is more on the verbal description by the
lead player and the remembering by the other participants of the
characteristics of the coins. Sensory perception is no longer associated
with verbal description for finding out the coin and the value of the
coin is no longer given by the lead player.
- It is of course worthwhile for the leader to :
· indicate, if necessary, the identifying characteristics ;
· choose, if necessary, the coins which the lead player is to describe
on the basis of series (1-2-5 cent, 10-20-50 cent, 1-2 euro) or of touch
(e.g. the 10 cent coin followed by the 50 cent coin, as they both have
the same type of edge).
- This activity is not as easy as it seems, as the lead player has to
describe a coin "in isolation" and not in comparison with
other coins.
Objective: identification of euro coins or notes - discovery
Type of visual impairment : blind and/or partially-sighted
For : groups of 15 or more
Age : all ages - particularly children and adults
"Identity card" for euro coins and notes
Objective : On the basis of observation of coins and notes, to group
and classify them in accordance with a number of criteria such as size,
colour, weight, motif, edge and noise, in order to produce a descriptive
table of coins and notes
Equipment : At least six sets of coins and notes
Number of participants : between 12 and 24. This activity requires
very active input from the leader
How to play :
- Participants are split into small groups of two-four, so that there
are at least six groups (cf. six criteria).
- Each group receives at least one set of 8 coins and 7 notes.
- Each participant rapidly explores the coins and/or notes in order to
propose criteria for observation and classification.
- The leader notes all ideas and proposals arising from the
brainstorming. Following the brainstorming, each group chooses one
observation criterion.
- Each group then notes its observations in relation to the chosen
criterion.
- They are then pooled in order to produce an "identity card"
for each note and coin. Where appropriate (depending on the type of
visual impairment of his audience), the leader notes the discoveries in
a large dual-entry table (ensuring, however, that everything written
down is also spoken).
Variation : simplified: carry out a description only of the notes or
only of the coins.
Aim : identification of euro coins - discovery/memorisation
Type of visual handicap : blind and/or partially-sighted
For : groups of two-four
Age : all ages - particularly children and elderly people
Collect Eight
Aims : to learn to recognise euro coins by touch; to learn the
denomination of the various euro coins.
Equipment : one game board with accessories (including one tactile
die) ;
for convenience, a cup with a cover may be provided: it is then easy to
shake the die, place it on the table upside down and then remove the cup to
uncover the face of the die (to prevent losing the die) ;
at least five sets of eight coins.
Number of participants : two to four players
How to play :
- Preparation for the game :
· Place a set of eight euro coins on the red rectangles rounded off on
the inside along the course of the game. The other four sets of eight
coins remain in a purse ;
· each player takes a "results" card with a space reserved
for each of the eight euro coins, chooses his token and places it in the
"start" field ;
· the aim of the game is to be the first to complete the card with the
eight different euro coins.
- In turn, the players throw the die and move their token forwards or
backwards by the number of fields indicated on the die. The player has a
choice of whether to move forwards or backwards.
- If the player places his token on a field containing a euro coin, he
examines it, identifies its value, looks for the same coin in the purse
containing the four sets of euro coins and places it on his card in the
hole corresponding to the value of his coin.
- If the player places his token on a "hazard" field, there
are certain actions he must carry out :
· a blue arrow in the direction of travel: advance four fields ;
· a green arrow in the opposite direction to the direction of travel :
go back four fields ;
· a lightning flash with granular texture: return a coin already
collected ;
· a yellow field with lines allows the player to choose a coin in the
purse (his choice is to be indicated before the coin is taken).
- The winner is the player who manages to place his token on the
"finish" field having collected all eight coins in the set.
Variations :
- The leader may, if necessary, indicate the identifying characteristics
himself
- The leader may, if necessary, choose to place only a few coins on the
board, proceeding either by sets or by tactile matching (e.g. the 10
cent and 50 cent coins, as both have the same type of edge).
Objective : identification of coins - memorisation
Type of visual impairment : blind and/or partially sighted
Type of training : groups of 2 to 8
Age : all ages
Handling Euro coins "in context"
Objectives : to learn to handle euro coins in a situation as close
as possible to a real purchasing context, for example, in a grocer's (cf.
with small amounts, as we are dealing with coins)
Material : at least 2 sets of 8 coins per participant
Number of participants : from 2 to 8 participants
Procedure :
- Using your imagination, and as appropriate for your public,
simulate more or less practical purchasing situations with varying
degrees of difficulty
- Begin with situations where the "buyer" has to give an
exact amount to the "seller", each having to check the
correctness of the amount given/received
- Continue with situations where the "buyer" does not
necessarily give the correct amount; the "seller" thus first
has to determine the amount he has been given, before potentially
returning any change.
Variations :
- Simplified: each participant has a single full set of 8 coins
- More realistic : each participant has a purse prepared beforehand
- Complicated : each participant has notes and coins at the same time
First remark : during the interviews, after having
"paired" and attributed the denomination to the coins, 25 %
of people over 60 years of age requested not to even attempt this exercise
because they were afraid of failing… This clearly leads us to anticipate
that a great many training sessions will probably be required…
Of the people who carried out the exercise, confusion rates were as
follows :
2 cents / 5 cents : 29 %
5 cents / 10 cents : 26 %
10 cents / 20 cents : 9 %
10 cents / 50 cents : 12 %
20 cents / 50 cents : 28 %
50 cents / 1 euro : 24 %
1 euro / 2 euros : 22 %
The people from the middle age range were the most capable :
"only" a third of them made mistakes, and they made fewer than
people in the other two age bands.
BY VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND AGE
Younger age (7 - 18) :
Up to 100 % of the younger blind respondents confused the 5 cent
and 10 cent coins and 60 % the 20 cent and 50 cent coins, the 50 cent and
1 euro coins and the 1 euro and 2 euro coins (2).
Among the younger partially sighted respondents, 45 % made
mistakes.
Middle age (19 - 59) :
Blind respondents in particular hardly made any mistakes, except
between the 2 cent and the 5 cent coins (15 %) - which are quite small to
handle - and, as previously, between the 5 cent and 10 cent coins (23 %).
Partially sighted respondents seemed to have problems
discriminating between the 2 cent and 5 cent coins, the 20 cent and 50
cent coins and the 50 cent and 1 euro coins.
Older age (over 60) :
In the older groups, both partially sighted and blind respondents
particularly require our attention, since confusion rates for most coins
rank from 11 % to an average of about one third, and up to 60 % in certain
cases. Among this group, 74 % made mistakes; 39 % confused 4 pairs of
coins ; up to 6 pairs of coins were confused.
CONCLUSION
The people questioned had told us that one of their greatest fears was the
identification and handling of Euro coins and notes. Unfortunately, tests
confirmed this fear.
In spite of the helpful identification features of the euro coins,
included thanks to the excellent working relations between the Mints and
the European Blind Union, learning to handle the coins will still have to
be supervised. This applies in particular to the younger and older
groups, but also to the middle age band respondents, and at least as much
to partially sighted as to blind people.
Objective : how to identify Euro coins ?
Identification Features and Methods
Features of the euro coins
There are 8 coins - with the value of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Euro cents ;
1 Euro and 2 Euro. The reverse face of each coin, which shows the numeral,
has a European design, common throughout all the European countries. The
opverse of each coin has a national face, which varies from country to
country.
The coins can be divided into three groups, which share similar design
elements :
- the lower value coins - 1, 2, 5, cents
- the middle value coins - 10, 20, 50 cents
- the higher value coins - 1, 2 Euro
All the coins feature a large numeral showing their value, but the
position is different for each group :
- On the lower value coins, the numeral is found in the top
left hand quarter of the coin. The number is followed by the words
Euro Cent, in capitals, at the top of the coin, with the word
"cent" appearing directly below the word "Euro" .
- On the middle value coins, the numeral takes up the right
half of the coin.
- On the higher value coins, the large numeral fills the left
half of the coin.
The lower value coins are very light. They are made of copper and are a
reddish colour.
- The 1 cent coin is the smallest and lightest coin. It has a
smooth edge. It is 16.25 mm in diameter, 1.36 mm thick and weighs 2.3
grams.
- The 2 cent coin also has a smooth edge, but is the only coin
to have a groove scored around its circumference. It is 18.75 mm in
diameter, 1.36 mm thick and weighs 3 grams.
- The 5 cent coin is the largest coin to have a smooth edge. It
is 21.25 mm in diameter, 1.36 mm thick and weighs 3.9 grams.
The middle value coins are gold coloured.
- The 10 cent coin is the smallest coin to have a scalloped
edge. It is actually smaller than the 5 cent coin, but made of a
different metal and considerably thicker. It is 19.75 mm in diameter,
1.51 mm thick and weighs 4.1grams.
- The 20 cent coin is notched at 7 points around the
circumference, giving it a unique "Spanish flower" shape. It
is 22.25 mm in diameter, 1.63 mm thick and weighs 5.7 grams.
- The 50 cent coin is the largest to have a scalloped edge. It
is 24.25 mm in diameter, 1.88 mm thick and weighs 7.8 grams - that's
almost twice as much as the 10 cent coin.
The higher value coins have two colours, silver and gold.
- The 1 Euro coin has an outer circle that is gold coloured,
and an inner circle that is silver coloured. Its edge is alternately
smooth and serrated - a style known as "interrupted
milling". It is smaller and lighter than the 50 cent coin. It is
23.25 mm in diameter, 2.125 mm thick and weighs 7.5 grams.
- The 2 Euro coin has an outer circle that is silver coloured,
and an inner circle that is gold coloured. Its edge is finely milled,
with lettering or stars. It is the biggest and heaviest coin. It is
25.75 mm in diameter, 1.95 mm thick and weighs 8.5 grams.
The figures for thickness refer to the average thickness of the coins.
However, thickness at the edge of the coin is greater than the average, to
ensure a correct piling of the coins.
Euro coins differentiation methods
From the observation of spontaneous behaviour, it appears that the four
methods most widely used for differentiating euro coins were :
- comparing dimensions : 90 %
- feeling the edge : 61 %
- feeling the shape : 39 %
- seeing the colours : 35 %
Once told about identification methods like edge, thickness or weight,
respondents started using them immediately (10 to 20 % higher incidence
after information).
Respondents obviously made use of their experience in handling their
national denomination coins in order to try and identify the euro coins.
This means that a relatively high incidence of a particular method for
handling national money frequently "correlates" with a high
representation of the same method in the euro coins test section.
However, and quite understandably when faced with a new situation,
respondents tended to transfer the "simplest" handling skills
from national coin denominations onto euro coins (for instance, comparing
dimensions and feeling the edge), while the incidence of other
differentiation techniques tends to decrease. They have therefore to gain
confidence and start (re-)using more elaborate differentiation techniques
for euro coins.
Euro coins easiest discrimination criteria
Preliminary :
There is no one good way to proceed in recognising the notes and coins.
Each individual person has one method that is appropriate for them.
Each method has its limits ! In particular, perhaps it is
self-evident, but it is good to remember, as demonstrated by the
interviews, people who use a range of identification methods make less
identification mistakes (2).
Amongst the most frequently mentioned 7 easy differentiation criteria,
5 were based on edge design, 1 on thickness and 1 on weight, over and
against those based on colour and size.
- Spanish flower shape of the 20 cent coin : 70 %
- fine scalloped edge of the 10 cent coin : 57 %
- fine interrupted milling of the 1 euro coin : 56 %
- fine scalloped edge of the 50 cent coin : 54 %
- smooth edge of the 1 cent, 2 cent and 5 cent coins : 49 %
- thinness of the 1 cent, 2 cent and 5 cent coins : 43 %
- light weight of the 1 cent, 2 cent and 5 cent coins : 41 %
By age : the edge criteria was, generally speaking, found
the most useful by the eldest groups of respondents. As might be
expected, this pattern is reversed for the colour design criteria.
For instance, the red colour of the 1, 2 and 5 cent coins is mentioned by
46 % of younger compared with 25 % of middle age band and 13 % of older
respondents.
By visual impairment : as expected, the choice of discrimination
and identification methods varies greatly according to the type of visual
impairment. 70 % of blind respondents mentioned "feeling
the edge" as a good method for identifying the euro coins
compared with 37 % of partially sighted respondents. While "seeing
the colour" is mentioned by 21 % of blind respondents, the
incidence reaches 71 % among partially sighted respondents.
It is obvious that partially sighted respondents did not rely on their
residual sight levels alone but also used additional methods which are
more typical of blind people. Moreover, when told about the usefulness of
such identification methods by touch, they start largely using them (in
all 3 age bands).
While a large majority of respondents would spontaneously go by dimensions
in order to differentiate between the coins, they do not even mention this
as one of the "easy identification" methods.
Objective: to arrange Euro coins in the most effective way in order to
identify them rapidly when needed
Suggestions
Sorting one's coins - Suggestions
Purse with three compartments :
1 cent - 10 cent - 1 euro
2 cent - 20 cent - 2 euro
5 cent - 50 cent
- The same edge does not figure twice in the same compartment ;
- easy to remember as it is logical: all denominations beginning with
the same figure go in the same compartment ;
- in each case, one coin is of copper and is thinner than the other,
and therefore fairly easy to distinguish ;
- the 1 euro and 2 euro coins, which could give rise to confusion
having quite similar sizes and edges, are in two different
compartments ;
- the sizes of coins in a compartment are very different.
Purse with two compartments :
1 cent - 5 cent - 50 cent - 1 euro
2 cent - 10 cent - 20 cent - 2 euro
- here we have the same edge twice in the same compartment: the 1 cent
and 5 cent coins ; however, these coins are quite different sizes ;
- the 50 cent and 1 euro coins are fairly similar sizes and, moreover,
likely to lead to confusion ; however, their edges are sufficiently
different for easy identification after training ;
- the 1 euro and 2 euro coins are not in the same compartment.
Objective : identification of the denomination of euro notes
Type of visual impairment: blind and partially sighted
Type of training: individual / group of 3 to 5 people maximum
Age: 4 to 104
What is the denomination of Euro notes ?
Handling Euro notes "in context"
Objectives :
- to individually learn the denomination of euro notes, through trial
and error and with the help of a trainer ; how many notes there are,
what are the denominations and which denomination corresponds to each
note
- to learn to handle euro notes in a situation as close as possible to
a real purchasing situation
Material : 1 to 2 sets of 7 euro notes per participant
Number of participants : individual activity ; a trainer can
however supervise 1 to 5 participants.
Procedure :
- Through a discussion, the trainer ensures that each participant
knows the number of notes and the denominations
- Using your imagination, and according to your public, simulate more
or less practical purchasing situations, with varying degrees of
difficulty
- Begin with situations where the "buyer" has to give an
exact amount to the "seller", each one checking that the
amount given / received is correct
- Continue with situations where the "buyer" does not
necessarily give the correct amount; the "seller" thus has
to firstly determine the amount he has been given, before potentially
giving any change.
Variations :
- Simplify : each participant has a single complete series of 7 notes
- More realistic : each participant has a purse which has been
prepared beforehand
- Complicate: each participant has both notes and coins
As with the coins, during the interviews, we began with the attribution of
denominations by the people themselves ; then we put them in a purchasing
situation. We grouped the conclusions on a single sheet.
The 20 and 50 euro notes were those most often mixed up, and the
significant value difference between the two notes should not be
ignored... Other values were also mixed up.
By age : Clearly, younger respondents but most particularly older
respondents were those who experienced the most difficulties.
By visual impairment : Unlike for the euro coins, blind respondents
- especially blind respondents with no residual vision - experienced
many more problems in the identification of the euro notes than partially
sighted respondents. While partially sighted respondents did not
experience too many difficulties in assessing the value of the euro notes
in their hands, blind respondents most often confused those notes which
are most likely to be used.
Confusion rates amongst blind respondents (value attribution) :
- 5 euro / 10 euro notes : 6 %
- 10 euro / 20 euro notes : 9 %
- 20 euro / 50 euro notes : 17 %
- 50 euro / 100 euro notes : 10 %
Moreover, the notes most often confused are the values next to one
another, they are more rarely mistaken when there are one or more notes'
difference between them.
Some blind respondents also mixed up the 100 and 200 euro notes (12 %)
and, quite surprisingly, so did some partially sighted respondents (6 %).
Other value notes were also mixed up, albeit to a lesser extent.
In the randomised euro notes testing (placed in a purchasing situation),
even partially sighted respondents made more mistakes, though fewer than
blind respondents.
By visual impairment and age : as in the value assignment trial,
younger blind respondents made more mistakes than middle age range blind
participants ; older blind respondents mixed everything up !
Confusion rates from older blind respondents (randomised trial) :
- 5 euro / 10 euro notes : 30 %
- 10 euro / 20 euro notes : 30 %
- 20 euro / 50 euro notes : 55 %
- 50 euro / 100 euro notes : 20 %
- 100 euro / 200 euro notes : 35 %
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