Objective : Euro notes - memorisation
Type of visual impairment : partially sighted only
For : individuals/groups of three-nine
Age : children

"The puzzle"

• Reconstruct a note beginning with a model.
• Then reconstruct the note from memory.

• Depending on the age of the children (and their perception or otherwise of colours), mix pieces from several notes.
  
  
• Replace the reconstructed note in colour on its template in black and white.
  
  
• Associate the colour with the denominations.

• Dimensions : Dimensions remain a favourite identification method. The higher the value of the notes, the longer the note; their length increases each time by 6 to 7 mm. The same applies to the width of the notes, which increases by 5 mm each time from the 5 euro up to the 100 euro notes.
  
  A great many people identify the notes by folding them between their index and middle fingers, thus using their fingers as a gauge.
  
  
• Denominations : The denomination of the note is shown on it in large, contrasting figures. It is in intaglio printing, which may be perceptible to touch.
  
  
• Colours : Each note has a predominant colour, which is clearly different for each denomination.
  
  
• The metallic strip : Its position and shape differs for the 5 and 20 euro notes and for the 50 to 500 euros (perceptible to touch ?)
  
  
• The tactile area : it is perceptible along the length of the 200 euro note, and on the width of the 500 euro note.

Sorting one's Notes - Suggestions

1. 5 euro - 50 euro - 500 euro
   
2. 10 euro - 100 euro
   
3. 20 euro - 200 euro
   
   

· easy to remember as it is logical: all denominations beginning with the same figure in the same compartment ;

· the dimensions of the notes in a compartment seem to us sufficiently different to avoid confusion (each time a difference of two denominations between two notes).

1. 5 euro - 20 euro - 100 euro
   
2. 10 euro - 50 euro
   
   

• here we break with the pattern whereby all denominations beginning with the same figure are placed in the same compartment ;
  
  
• each time a difference of two denominations between two notes ;
  
  
• the 20 euro and 50 euro notes, the dimensions of which are close as they are of subsequent denominations, and which have proved in interviews to be difficult to distinguish, are in a different compartment
  .

• 5 euro
  
• 10 euro, note folded widthways
  
• 20 euro
  
• 50 euro, note folded lengthways
  
• 100 euro.
  

"Lotto"

• The pile of cards indicating multiplication or division is placed face down between the players.
  
  
• The first player chooses a coin or note from among the ones he has and places it on the table ; he then turns over a card, which he places beside his coin or note.
  
  
• The second player then puts together the amount resulting from the (last) two cards put down; e.g. "5 euro" "x 5": the player must therefore put down 25 euro in any form he chooses.
  
  
• Certain combinations are impossible, e.g. "5 cent" "/ 2" : the result is 2.5 cent; as there is no ½ cent, the player replaces the mathematical operation card at the bottom of the pile and takes another.
  
  
• A player who cannot put together the amount required misses his turn.
  
  
• Where none of the players can put together the amount required, the mathematical operation card is replaced at the bottom of the pile and the turn recommences with a new card.
  
  
• The player who puts all his notes and coins into play first is the winner.
  
  
• If the game is blocked (no player can put together the amount required with any of the mathematical operation cards left over), the winner is the one with the smallest number of coins and notes left over.
  
  
  

• This activity may appear easy. Try it ; you'll be surprised !
  
  
• This type of activity is no doubt aimed primarily at countries where the national denominations are in 5-25-50 rather than, like the euro, 5-20-50.
  
  
• In the absence of real coins and/or notes, use sheets with the amounts in Braille if the participants are blind, and high-contrast colour photocopies for partially sighted participants; this activity is less concerned with learning to identify the coins and notes than with counting.
  
  

Objective : drawing up a scale of values in euro
Type of visual impairment : blind and/or partially-sighted
For : individuals/groups of two-six
Age : all ages

Beggar-my-neighbour

• One player mixes together the two sets of cards (values in national currency and in euro) and distributes them among all the players. Each player thus has a certain number of cards, which he puts face down in front of him in a pile.
  
  
• Each player draws the first card from his pile, turns it to read its value and places it, face upwards, on the table (if necessary, he announces the value so that the other players know which card he has put down).
  
  
• The player putting the highest-value card on the table collects all the cards and places them beneath his pile.
  
  
• The game ends when a player has no more cards left.
  
  
• The winner is the player who, at the end of the game, has the highest number of cards.
  
  
  

• This card game is adapted to partially sighted people due to the contrasting colours and the indication of the value in large type in the centre of the card; nevertheless, given the size constraints, the typeface for the conversion tables on the cards is too small; we compensate for this by adding A4 sheets containing these conversion tables.
  
  
• Like all card games, this game may be adapted individually in Braille.
  
  
• We have heard of a process (involving resin) enabling cards to be made directly in Braille, and are investigating this.
  
  

Aim : what is the value of my basket of products in euro ?
Type of visual handicap : blind and/or partially sighted
For : groups of three-five
Age : all ages

The basket

• The aim of the game is to receive the first 10 "products" (pellets or tokens).
  
  
• A lead player (the "seller") is designated; he holds the price lists, and announces what is in the shop (articles and prices).
  
  
• The "buyers" throw the die and move their token forwards (or backwards) the number of squares indicated by the die.
  
  
• When a buyer places his token on a square already occupied by another player, he gives that player one of his "products".
  
  
• When a buyer places his token on a square mentioning a value in euro, he must name a product on the list the value of which lies between the value indicated on the square and the euro coin or note of the nearest value below it; the seller may offer him some products; some of these, of course, will be the right price, others will not.
  
  If the price of the article he has chosen exceeds the amount in euro indicated in the square in which he has landed, the buyer does not receive a "product" token. The same applies if the article he has chosen is of such a value that a note or coin of lesser value would have sufficed. The buyer, however, has the right to a second chance, in the form of a collective challenge.
  
  
• Collective challenge: the seller cites a product which could be purchased and asks all the buyers to propose the closest possible price in euro. Priority is given to the unfortunate buyer. Play then moves clockwise; all offers must be different. The buyer whose answer is the closest, or equal, to the correct price, wins a "product" token.
  
  
• When the buyer places his token on a "bid" square (squares covered in undulating yellow foam), he is free to choose the value of a euro coin or note and use it to purchase a product; the same purchasing rules apply as when he places his token on a square giving a set value in euro.
  
  
• When the buyer places his token on a "surprise" square (squares covered in smooth yellow foam), the "seller" draws a "surprise" card :
  
  · Well done ! You receive a "product" token ;
  · Well done ! You win an extra turn ;
  · Bad luck ! You must give a "product" token back to the "seller" ;
  · "Memory" test : the seller reads the information on the card; if, on the next turn, the player can repeat this information, he receives a "product" token.
  
  
  

The Market

• The winner is the first one to complete his three recipe tables without running into debt, or having repaid his debts. If a player has completed his three tables but is in debt, the game continues.
  
  
• The banker issues money to each player: five 1-, 2-, 5-, 10- and 20-cent coins, four 50-cent and 1-euro coins, two 2-euro coins.
  
  
• Each player places his token on the "start" square and draws three recipe tables at random ;
  
  
• The player who throws a six may play again.
  
  
• The game consists of squares of different types :
  
  · Squares containing foodstuffs: if, in order to produce the recipes, the player needs the foodstuff in the square on which he has landed, he may purchase it and pay the banker. If he needs the same foodstuff several times, he may purchase the desired quantity right away. To mark his purchase, he takes a card bearing the name of the foodstuff and places it on the corresponding place on his recipe card ;
  
  · "Penalty" squares: the player draws a card from the corresponding pack; afterwards, he replaces his card at the bottom of the pack ;
  
  · VAT, travel ticket, bag : he pays the amount indicated to the banker ;
  
  · closing days : the player misses two turns ;
  
  · "Reward" squares : the player draws a card from the corresponding pack: tombola, money-off coupon, one product free; he is not obliged to use his card immediately; it is only replaced at the bottom of the pack once it has been used ;
  
  · the "JOKER" card enables the player drawing it to win the game, even though he may still have one article to purchase (provided he has no debts) ;
  
  · the "100 % off coupon" is valid for any article (provided that the player has placed his token on the square containing that article) ;
  
  · a player may not supplement the value of a coupon with money; the article purchased using the coupon must be of equal or lesser value than the coupon ;
  
  · a player may choose to return a "1 euro" coupon to the banker to purchase an article of lesser value, but will not receive any change ;
  
  · "Start" square : if a player returns to the "start" square, he receives four euro. If he passes the "start" square without stopping there, he receives two euro.
  
  
• It is possible to borrow money from the banker, at a rate of 10 % (duration of the loan is not a factor). The player may choose the amount he wishes to borrow and retains his card until his debt is paid.

• A player may purchase an article, even if he has no need of it ; e.g. a player has a coupon "When you buy milk (which costs 50c), get one article to the value of 1 euro free". In any event, he gains 50 c !
  
  
• A player A lands on the "spaghetti" square: he has no need for it, but player B does; player A may propose to player B that he buys the article and resells it to B at a profit; this may be set at 10%, or it may be negotiated: if player B is "rich", he may not mind paying more.
  
  
• During the game, it is forbidden to purchase an article for another player and then refuse to sell it to him, because the game would be blocked: there are only enough cards available as are required to compose the recipes. It is, of course, possible to make the game more fun by increasing the number of foodstuffs cards in the game.
  
  

• The board is much too big to enable each person to read the Braille on each square, or even place his own token on all the squares; the cooperation of each person is therefore counted upon in turn as regards the placing of their token on the board.
  
  
• The game is also about handling; in the absence of real coins, however, the use of foam plastic coins at least enables players to get used to the denominations of euro coins ;
  
  
• The game is only available in English and French; as prices and everyday products differ from one country to another, it would be useful for each country to adapt it to its ways and customs, and/or translate into its own language the recipe ingredients and other game cards and have them transcribed into Braille. However, the computer files containing all these elements are available in French and/or English on request, in order to help you to produce your own game. The central design of the game board will also be available on film.