[Electronics-Talk] GE Braille Labels, An Update

[David Andrews]

I don't know the model, there is nothing written on it.  It is a 
Tappan, electric with self-cleaning oven. I paid $379 at Loews.

Dave

At 12:49 AM 10/29/2016, you wrote:
>Dave, we saw a few stoves that are just how you described your 
>stove. I don't remember the brand now, since it was about a year 
>ago. We've been just using our microwave for now. We are going to go 
>shopping again for a stove soon and see if we could find those same 
>models so we could finally purchase one of them. The stoves we were 
>considering were about $500. I was wondering what brand stove you 
>have and the model number. That would be helpful. Thank you.
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrews,David B (DEED) via 
>Electronics-Talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>To: "Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances" 
><electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>Cc: "Andrews, David B (DEED)" <david.b.andrews at state.mn.us>
>Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2016 4:45 PM
>Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] GE Braille Labels, An Update
>
>
>>I can use my new stove because of a couple things.  The burners 
>>have knobs, it is electric, although this isn't the point of this 
>>message. Secondly the oven is controlled by a flat panel, but 
>>luckily the panel is not touch sensitive, you have to actually 
>>press on the right spots, so I was able to make Braille 
>>markers.  Finally, the oven defaults to a known state, that is it 
>>starts at a known temperature, 350 degrees, and I can go up and 
>>down in 5 degree increments. If I turn the oven off, and back on 
>>again, it will return to 350 degrees.  Finally, each time I press a 
>>control, up down, on off, broil, bake, clean, it beeps.
>>
>>The other thing I want to say, which I think hasn't been said yet 
>>is that you may be able to find the manual for a given appliance, 
>>somewhere on-line, thus you can read and possibly get the answer to 
>>these questions, without actually trying the device.
>>
>>It is tricky out there -- and we seem to have fewer and fewer 
>>options, but at least there are still some.  My stove, by the way, 
>>was a less expensive stove, the more expensive units seemed to be 
>>more problematic!
>>
>>Dave
>>
>>
>>
>>David Andrews | Chief Technology Officer
>>Department of Employment and Economic Development
>>State Services for the Blind, 2200 University Ave. W., Suite 240, 
>>St. Paul MN 55114
>>Direct: 651-539-2294 | Mobile: 612-730-7931
>>Web | Twitter | Facebook
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
>>On Behalf Of Annette Carr via Electronics-Talk
>>Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2016 4:31 PM
>>To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances' 
>><electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>Cc: Annette Carr <amcarr1 at verizon.net>
>>Subject: [Electronics-Talk] GE Braille Labels, An Update
>>
>>Hi All,
>>
>>
>>
>>There was a surprise waiting for me in my mailbox today.  An 
>>envelope inside another envelope, with 2 things inside of the inner 
>>envelope.  A 8.5 by 11 glossy piece of paper folded in half, and a 
>>piece of plastic slightly larger than the palm of my hand.  The 
>>plastic has what appears to be random braille letters on it.  With 
>>a quick glance at the paper, my husband figured out that this 
>>little card contains 45 2-letter combinations that correspond to
>>45 different buttons on a microwave.  It appears to be clear 
>>plastic, but there does not appear to be any type of perforation 
>>between the 2 letter combinations, nor are there spaces between the 
>>2-letter combinations, so my husband does not think that it is 
>>possible to cut the labels apart.  On the back of the card, you can 
>>feel rectangles, but there does not appear to be any perforations 
>>there.  We were unable to peel back a corner, so at this point we 
>>are not sure how they might be applied to a control panel if one 
>>does exist.  Maybe there are instructions on the printed sheet that 
>>explains how to use the labels.  These appear to be generic and not 
>>specific to a model of microwave.
>>
>>
>>
>>So despite being told by the GE Rep that GE no longer provides 
>>braille labels, either they still do, or someone found this in 
>>storage.  So now if I could just find a microwave to put the labels on.
>>
>>
>>
>>My latest exchange with the GE Rep has been about finding a 
>>replacement range that is accessible.  I figured if I can no longer 
>>use a microwave, then I had better make sure I will still be able 
>>to use the range.  The Rep provided me with 4 model numbers, and 
>>they all clearly state in the specs that the oven control panel is 
>>a glass touch.  It is not looking good.