[Electronics-talk] washing machine

Sat Nov 9 18:44:27 UTC 2013

You know, Since I'm the president of my condo board and we're looking at
purchasing new commercial washers and dryers, I'll be checking for
accessibility.  Something we often don't think of.

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Gerald Levy
Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2013 1:12 PM
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] washing machine

At least you have the option of buying your own washer.  Many of us who live

in apartments don't have that option and must use an on-site laundry room or

commercial laundrimat whose machines are all-electronic, and of course, not 
modifiable in any way to make them more accessible.  Plus, most commercial 
washers and dryers now use a card-based system to activate them, unlike the 
good old days when you could activate them simply by feeding them coins.  To

add monetary value to these laundry cards requires using a totally 
inaccessible vending machine, so it is no longer possible for a blind person

do do the laundry in a laundry room or commercial laundrimat without sighted

help.

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 12:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] washing machine

> 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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