[Electronics-Talk] Accessible Micro Waves, the Battle is Lost

[S L Johnson]

Hello:

I recently had to return a counter-top microwave.  I did attempt to put 
Braille labels on it but, it was so sensitive that as I read each label the 
microwave would bring up an additional menu or change a setting without me 
knowing what was happening.  On a lot of the new appliances one button may 
perform several different tasks.  Even with Braille labels this type of 
display cannot be used by a blind person.  I do not understand why NFB and 
ACB have not taken on the appliance industry an why they have not lobbied 
congress to make some very strict rules about making accessible appliances. 
Yes, I agree, as a blind person we can do anything but, we do need 
appliances we can use.  We deserve the same accessibility as sighted people 
have.

Sandra Johnson

-----Original Message----- 
From: Jim McCarthy via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2016 5:32 PM
To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
Cc: Jim McCarthy
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Micro Waves, the Battle is Lost

Peter,
I do not think Annette has an issue with doing some labeling. She has posted
several items on this thread over the last couple weeks. She wants or needs
a particular kind of microwave, one that mounts above the range and includes
an exhaust fan. She has found appliance sellers unwilling to plug in
possible items in order that she can test them to be sure that she buys
something that she can make accessible to her. There are coming to be
classes of home appliances that are becoming impossible of being made
accessible, though I cannot say that microwaves have arrived in that
category of device yet. When we say that all it takes is to add braille
labels as we have done forever, that assumes that the controls require some
pressure to activate. If they can be activated by proximity of the finger to
the control, a blind user will need to get quite good at knowing the layout
of her unit. Some may be able to do this, but many of us will not, I think.
It is my opinion that the present legal landscape would not protect blind
purchasers of appliances for finding that there are none in a category that
they can use. I am not certain of the best answer but am definitely troubled
by the possibility that someday I will want an oven and be able to find none
me and my blind wife and cook can use.
Best
Jim McCarthy

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Peter Donahue via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2016 5:13 PM
To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
Cc: Peter Donahue
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Micro Waves, the Battle is Lost

Good afternoon Anet and everyone,

     This is easier to solve than you seem to believe. It's just a matter of
labeling the touchPad with Braille labels. We faced the same challenge when
we got our latest microwave and moved into our current apartment. The oven
controlls were inaccessible. We made Braille labels and placed them on the
control pad in the appropriate places and can now use it independently. Have
you explored the possibility of buying a microwave or other appliance that
can be controlled by an App on your iDevice or Androide Device?

Peter Donahue




Annette Carr via Electronics-Talk wrote:
> Hi All,
>
>
>
> Well I am at a dead-end when it comes to finding an accessible over
> the range microwave.  They just do not exist.  We are left with no
> option but to purchase one that I cannot use as we need the exhaust.
> We cannot just replace the microwave with a traditional exhaust hood
> as we would have to replace the cabinet above the range to position
> the hood at the required height.  Well, that is not going to happen
> since it is not possible to match a new cabinets to the existing cabinets.
>
>
>
> The appliance manufacturers think that making an appliance ADA
> accessible requires them to only meet physical access requirements.
> Access for the blind is not even a consideration.  It is just a matter
> of time before access to all appliances are out of our reach.
>
>
>
> Annette
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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