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

[Annette Carr]

Hi Steve,

Sorry you missed my original posts.  Yes, I've visited every store in my
area and none of them have power to the over the range microwaves set up on
display.  I've called all of the major manufacturers and they either have
confirmed that their company is no longer making over the range microwaves
with control panels that require pressure to activate, or they could not
confirm the sensitivity of the panel and could not provide direction on how
I could obtain this information.

I had a case open with GE, and they could not come up with a model.  I went
so far as to ask them to research ranges since I'm concerned that since we
are going to have to purchase a microwave that is not accessible I want to
know that I will be able to replace my 11 year old gas range if need be.
The GE Rep provided me with 5 model numbers of ranges that will fit into our
available space.  Unfortunately, she only provided ones with electric cook
tops, and we have gas.  I'm waiting for a response from the GE Rep to
whether there are gas ranges that are accessible as I had requested.  Maybe
this means that there are no accessible ranges either, but I cannot confirm
that yet.

Annette

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Steve Jacobson via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2016 9:16 PM
To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
Cc: Steve Jacobson
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Micro Waves, the Battle is Lost

Jim and Annette,

If this is the issue, I apologize for appearing to pile on, so to speak.  I
didn't see this described in the most recent note, though, and the subject
got my attention.  

For the very little it is worth, the overhead microwaves don't seem to be
substantially different in their controls from what I've seen, but checking
for certain if the buttons are activated by pressure would certainly be
reasonable.  One approach I would take if confronted with the same thing is
to contact the manufacturer as they may be able to answer questions.  I
would also explain that they are being called because the seller would not
even permit plugging the unit in.  

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jim McCarthy via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2016 4:33 PM
To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jim McCarthy <jmccarthy at mdtap.org>
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 Annette 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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