Our recent achievements

A second project with the European Commission Directorate-General for the Consumers is presently running from mid-1998 until mid-2000.
It has two mainstreams :

1. ensure the development of adequate information on the euro for the European blind and partially sighted citizens, i.e. information which takes account of their particular needs and is accessible to them both in contents and in form
   
   
2. identify and develop prototype training materials and aids to be used in future training campaigns and sessions on the euro.

In that framework, we already realised :

1. Interviews of 300 visually impaired people in Belgium, Germany and Spain in early 1999
   
   
2. Users’ specifications for vocal euro converters with large display and large keys
   
   
3. Prototypes of original design for euro games fully adapted to visual impairment
   
   
4. An information leaflet
   
   

Interviews of 300 visually impaired people in Belgium, Germany and Spain

An EBU survey was conducted in early 1999 with around 300 blind and partially sighted people in Belgium, Germany and Spain. It aimed at finding the needs and priorities of visually impaired people with regard to the introduction of the euro.

Its objectives were :

• to identify those areas where most problems are likely to occur in order to determine where and how information and training should be focused;
• to collate and compile the various techniques and tricks which visually impaired people use to handle their national coins and notes. This information can hopefully be used as a basis for developing training materials to help blind and partially sighted people transfer their present skills to easy and secure handling of the euro ;
• through the handling of replica euro notes and coins, to determine the major problems in identifying euro notes and coins and the best teaching methods to adopt. These may vary according to the target public (age or type of visual impairment criteria);
• finally, to identify the appropriate chronological order of euro training i.e. whether training on actually handling the euro coins and notes should start as close as possible to 1 January 2002 or as soon as possible, i.e. in early 2000.

Testing material was kindly provided by the European Central Bank and the Mints.










Users’ specifications for vocal euro converters with large display and large keys

It is important for vocal features as well as good readability and good manageability, features to be considered when developing euro converters for use by visually impaired people.

The Users’ specifications for vocal euro converters with large display and large keys have been developed jointly by the EBU Euro Group, the EBU Commission on Technical Devices and Services and the EBU Commission on the Activities of Partially Sighted people, as well as the technological departments of RNIB, ONCE and FFVI.

Euro Converters










Original design prototypes of fully adapted euro games for visually impaired people

Part of our work has involved creating two "euro" games, which are entirely original in terms of both their rules and their production. They are fully adapted for visual impairment, in particular through the use of magnetic boards and pieces, game squares with different reliefs and textures, and of course, the use of large print and Braille.

The first game is aimed at learning about the identification of euro coins. But it is also fun to play. However, it can only be effective for visually impaired people if we have access either to real coins or replicas that are very similar to the original, which meet a certain number of criteria according to the means used by visually impaired people to identify the coins.

The second game is aimed at learning the value in euros of a certain number of products. It is enjoyable, even if it is more didactic, and can be adapted according to the age of the players.

Both of these games are for players of any age and visual capacity: blind, partially sighted and sighted. Indeed, particular attention was given to the use of materials that are not only pleasant to touch (blind players), but have contrasting colours (partially sighted players) and are also attractive to look at (sighted players). The game boards are not only tactile, but also visual. They encourage interaction and promote social integration.

The rules of the games have already been drawn up and prototypes have been made. Initial reactions to these games have been highly favourable. They are currently in their test phase, particularly the first game, in a home for visually impaired people in France and in two special schools for visually impaired children in Austria.











An information leaflet The euro : a vehicle for integration or exclusion for visually impaired people ?

This information leaflet sets out our action, objectives, resources and plans.

If you are interested in having a practical involvement, at whatever level this may be - European, national, regional, local, bank, consumer association, large business, euro information ombudsman, small service enterprise, blind association, advertising agency, blind or partially sighted person, volunteer, etc., those of you who have started a euro project for sighted people - but why not also for visually impaired people ? -should be aware that there is a support network for your initiative with respect to visually impaired people. If this network is largely in need of your help, it is also there to help you.

The leaflet The euro : a vehicle for integration or exclusion for visually impaired people ? is available in 10 EU languages, in print or on audio-cassettes on simple request at ebuoffice@euroblind.org