India is a cash-rich economy where 90% of day-to-day transactions are conducted in cash (Chowdhury and Hosain 2018). In 2016, following a demonetization drive, the Government of India launched a set of 7 new banknotes, eliminating INR 500 and 1000 from the system to introduce two new denominations of INR 200 and INR 2000. This resulted in a mix of new and old banknotes in circulation for the same denominations.
At present, India has approximately 4.8 million people with visual impairments (PVI). This paper presents the study done in two phases. In part one, the design of the new currency was critically analysed and compared with the recommendations of DNB (De Nederlandsche Bank). The second part of the study reveals the findings of the investigation done on the various difficulties faced by the PVI in identifying and transacting with the new banknotes. The situation became complex for PVI when the mix of new and old banknotes started coexisting.
Phase-2 presents the learning from the tasks of identifying the banknotes by PVI participants. Findings were drawn from the observations and semi-structured interviews with participants.
Surprisingly no participant could identify the new currency denominations even after two years of being in circulation. All the denominations below INR 100 have no tactile marks. Therefore the variation in the size remains the only identifying feature for the PVI. The size differences of the banknotes were found insufficient to make them distinguishable.
The findings indicate that the design of new currency introduces evident visual changes with vibrant colours, facilitating quick identification for people with vision. However, the unrecognizable change in dimensions and unimproved tactile cues raises issues about the concerns towards inclusiveness in the design of currency for the PVI population.
At present, India has approximately 4.8 million people with visual impairments (PVI). This paper presents the study done in two phases. In part one, the design of the new currency was critically analysed and compared with the recommendations of DNB (De Nederlandsche Bank). The second part of the study reveals the findings of the investigation done on the various difficulties faced by the PVI in identifying and transacting with the new banknotes. The situation became complex for PVI when the mix of new and old banknotes started coexisting.
Phase-2 presents the learning from the tasks of identifying the banknotes by PVI participants. Findings were drawn from the observations and semi-structured interviews with participants.
Surprisingly no participant could identify the new currency denominations even after two years of being in circulation. All the denominations below INR 100 have no tactile marks. Therefore the variation in the size remains the only identifying feature for the PVI. The size differences of the banknotes were found insufficient to make them distinguishable.
The findings indicate that the design of new currency introduces evident visual changes with vibrant colours, facilitating quick identification for people with vision. However, the unrecognizable change in dimensions and unimproved tactile cues raises issues about the concerns towards inclusiveness in the design of currency for the PVI population.