How do blind people count money?

Question

While at the grocery store, i saw a blind person give the cashier their total. how do they know if they're getting the correct change back?
This question has always intrigued me.

Answer 1

they go by feel and size. i can do it with coins but im no good with notes yet

Answer 2

People Counting Money

Answer 3

Coins are relatively easy, I'm sure you could sort them out with your eyes closed too, they're quite different in weight and size, some have smooth edges and others have ridges. A blind person would just be able to do it a whole lot faster due to their practice!

Bills are harder, most countries have small dots or other shapes in texture on their bills, or a noticable size difference. The US is not as good in this but according to an article in the source that may change!

Answer 4

They ask the person at the bank to place the bills in a certain order (always the same) in their wallets. They feel for the for the first spot, which is where they have, lets say 20's and they pull one out. Nothing simpler.

I had a good friend who was blind some years back. That was his system. He also had a friend double check (Sometimes me, sometimes the person who came and helped him at home).. But he was a very trusting guy with the cashiers at stores.

Answer 5

With someone's help every denomination is folded different.but the same each time.so when they are given the total they take out as close as possible so they get back only change, and they can tell in a second if it's right. If someone blindfolded you and stuck an apple in your mouth and next bite a lemon would you know the dif. Blind people's senses are so sensitive it would be that obvious to them.

Answer 6

They memorize the size and texture of coins, as well as how that coin feels in their size hand. Dimes have ridges, they are thin, nickels are fat and smooth, quarters are large and have ridges. Penny might get confused with a nickel sometimes.

Bills get folded a certain way so they recognize the denomination of the bills prepared in their wallets. They probably have a trusted helper to sort money out and fold it, every now and then.

To some extent, they are at the mercy of the clerk making their change.

This might be of interest. It mentions portable readers but apparently it is still a big problem.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/12/12/blind.money/index.html?eref=rss_law

Answer 7

when they spend it, they fold their bills in a certain way for each denomination...(watch the movie daredevil and see how the actor ben affleck demonstrates it) but when getting their change back, they are at the mercy of the cashiers and trust me no one is going to rip off a blind person with other people around that can see. also blind people have heightened senses, and can literally smell and feel the dishonesty of people. if they were getting ripped off, nine times out of ten they would "know" it.

Answer 8

India is really great in designing the coins and currency notes. Thats why the coins have different sizes and thickness and notes have different feelings... If you watch a blind person what he is doing, he will looking for the sizes and thickness of the currency notes.

Really it works if u try it out. Why i had done a research work on this. So i knew it.

Answer 9

Take a coin, or a money note. You will see that some parts of the coin, or the note, are slightly, very slightly raised. The blind people are able to feel those raised portions and are able to deduct what note or coin it is.

Answer 10

Great question. I personally have counted money for a blind person and this is how it happens with "paper" money:

She asked me how much she had and I told her, you have $7.

You have a $5 and I handed it to her. She folds it one way.
You have two $1 and I handed it to her. She then folds it another way.

Some put it away in different compartments of their wallet to help them differentiate also.

Answer 11

by touch when someone hands them money back (every note has different bumps on it, every coin weighs differently) and in their wallet it is pre-arranged either in a certain shape according to the value, or placed in a certain pocket. they dont have to have anyone help them by the way, they can prepare their wallet at home, taking the time to fold/place the money in the right position and place, count it by feel etc.