[Electronics-talk] washing machine

[Ashley Bramlett]

Hi,
Well, I like the independence of having a simple accessible washing machine 
and dryer. I was hopeful some still were made since I've seen simple ones 
without the flat touchpad here at our VA rehab center for the blind.

My hope is to have buttons I can touch although I would still need to label 
some of them.
Yes, I could label a flat screen keypad as I have for other appliances.
But I'd rather stick to as little labeling as possible and not many buttons. 
We simply need to wash our clothes, usually with cold water, nothing fancy. 
So, my folks would probably like a simple machine too.
I mean, why pay for extra settings and fancy settings you don't need.

If anyone has low vision, you can speak to the contrast of the  screen. Is 
the numbers large or contrasting so you can see it? Is it white numerals on 
black screen?

I guess if I had to I'd time it as Gerald suggests, but I hope not to resort 
to that.
Gerald, thanks for the history fact; so electronic controls were brought in 
ten years ago; so older
models will have mechanical controls.

Currently, the old accessible machine is a whirlpool. We'll keep this one as 
long as possible, and even if repairs are just as expensive as a new 
machine, I will insist on a repair if we can do a repair, rather than a new 
machine.
However, repairing equipment is sadly hard to do as parts are no longer made 
and sadly our society would rather us buy new stuff rather than fix old 
equipment.

Ashley

-----Original Message----- 
From: Gerald Levy
Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2013 11:57 AM
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] washing machine


Good luck trying to find a washer that still has mechanical controls.
Electronic controls became standard on even the cheapest models about ten
years ago, and I am not aware of any current models that still have
mechanical controls, although you might be able to find a low-end
GE/Hotpoint, Maytag or Whirlpool model that still has them if you search
hard enough online.  Most models have flat touchpads with digital displays
like microwave ovens.  I suppose you can label the various buttons with
tactile markers to more easily locate them, but there is no way to
accurately determine the remaining washing time without using a talking
countdown timer after you set the washer for a particular wash cycle.

Gerald


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2013 11:21 AM
Subject: [Electronics-talk] washing machine


> Hi all,
>
> I use an older model washer now which is simple with buttons and no 
> screen.
> You turn a knob to set the cycle such as normal wash and its marked so I 
> know where to turn it.
>
> However, it will not last forever.
>
> What simple washers are out there? Preferabily one with no screen although 
> I could probably use one with a screen if it does not have essential info.
> I do not, not, want to use a touch screen. I also have some vision so can 
> see simple things like colors of lights, so this may help.
>
> Thanks.
> Ashley
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