[Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines

Sun Jan 8 16:39:23 UTC 2023

Hi.

I forgot to mention one thing I did know about GE. They have a data port 
on the rear and you can buy a device that provides speech output for 
them. That device comes from GE I believe, and was invented by a kid and 
his dad a few years ago. I'm unaware if the compatibility for that 
extends to the model you had in the store.

Talking Laundry Module - FirstBuild 
<https://firstbuild.com/inventions/talking-laundry-module/>

Cheers:
Aaron Spears, AKA Valiant8086 General Partner at Valiant Galaxy Associates "we make (VERY GOOD AUDIOGAMES) for the blind comunity" http://valiantGalaxy.com

On 1/7/2023 8:45 PM, Annette Carr via Electronics-Talk wrote:
> Thus far the info I have found about the IOS apps is leaning towards limited
> access.  Here is a demo of the LG app:
>
> https://youtu.be/l2L9s9QaA38
>
> I do not know when the video was made, but the guy said that he was using
> IOS 14.
>
> The various AppleVis threads are indicating that the Samsung app has similar
> issues.  I have not found anything about an app for GE.
>
> Annette
>
>
> Annette
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
> Arlene via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Saturday, January 7, 2023 6:49 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Arlene <arlenes71154 at earthlink.net>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines
>
> Annette, the information about the washers and dryers you looked at, at lows
> is quite informative, and something to keep for when we need a new washer
> and dryer. At this time I haven't shopped to look for new washer and dryers,
> but it will be ver interesting to hear from others about their washers and
> dryers, and if in time you get to see some other models of Washers and
> dryers. We were wondering if any of the washers that you could work with an
> app awz well? Thinking the possibility of the app would make it easier to
> run. Thank you.
>
> Arlene
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Annette Carr via Electronics-Talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: "'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'"
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: <amcarr1 at verizon.net>
> Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2023 3:07 PM
> Subject: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines
>
>
>> As you can probably guess from the subject line, we are in the market for
>> a
>> new washer.  Saw 4 potential options at Lowes, so was wondering if anyone
>> has experience with any of them.  I am pleased to report that the sales
>> person went and got an extension cord and plugged in the machines we
>> wanted
>> to look at.
>>
>>
>>
>> Here are the models with notes about what I was able to observe.
>>
>>
>>
>> LG washer model WM4200HBA
>>
>> And
>>
>> LG washer model WM4000HBA
>>
>> * Has a stand-a-lone physical power button.  I think it also had a
>> stand-a-lone physical button for starting.
>> * The cycle selector has defined clicks that you could easily feel as
>> you turned the knob, along with an audible tone.
>> * However, the knob did not have an indicator/pointer, and a complete
>> revolution of the knob did not return you to where you started from.
>> * When you turn the machine off and then turn it back on, you are back
>> at the "Normal" cycle and its default settings.  You could keep a braille
>> list of the cycles in the order of their position around the knob, and
>> just
>> count the clicks/beeps.
>> * There is a touch screen with buttons along the sides and bottom.
>> There is a very thin seem around the outer edge of the touch screen.
>> * If you drag your finger across the buttons on the touch screen or
>> accidentally touch one of the buttons, it will be activated.
>> * There is some room around the outside of the touch panel to place
>> abbreviated braille labels or at least an indicator dot so that you could
>> get lined up with the button.
>> * When you touch the touch screen, there is a beep.  There are only 2
>> different sounds.  One indicates that something changed, and the other
>> indicates that there was no change.  The beeps do not tell you if you have
>> cycled through all of the choices, so you do not know how many options
>> there
>> are.  Whether a feature is available and the number of options for it, is
>> different for each cycle.  For my current washer that just bit the dust I
>> had a document on my computer that outlined each of the cycles, the
>> available features and their options.  I had always planned on brailling
>> it
>> up, or finding someone to do it for me, and never did.
>> * Although we did not test the dryer, it looks like the controls are
>> set up like the washer.
>>
>>
>>
>> GE washer model GFW550SSN2WW
>>
>> * The Power and Start Button are combined on a small touch pad, but it
>> is easy to use it.  The Power is at the top edge, and the start is on the
>> bottom edge.  I can't remember if they required pressure to activate, I
>> think it was just a touch.
>> * The cycle selector knob clicked and had beeps, along with a pointer.
>> You could add braille labels and this would be pretty accessible.
>> * There is a touch screen to change the settings for the cycles.
>> * There are buttons on the sides and bottom of the touch screen.
>> * There are thin lines between the buttons, but if you drag your
>> finger from button to button you will be activating each button you touch.
>> * There is some room around the outside of the touch screen where you
>> could place tactile indicators or abbreviated braille labels.
>> * You will need a cheat-sheet of some type to know which features are
>> available in each cycle, and what the available options are for each
>> feature.
>> * There were audible beeps, but they were hard to hear in the store.
>> It was not apparent if there is a volume control.
>> * Although we did not test the dryer, it looks like the controls are
>> set up like the washer.
>>
>>
>>
>> Samsung washer model WF45B6300AC
>>
>> * There is a touch screen to control everything accept select the
>> cycles.
>> * The buttons are on the sides and bottom of the touch screen, but
>> there is some braille and tactile indicator dots.  Yes, actual braille and
>> tactile marks.  The sales person was as shocked as we were.
>> * The Power button is on the top-right corner and there is a braille
>> "P" off the right edge of the touch screen.
>> * Below the Power button is the start button and there is a braille
>> "S" off the right edge of the touch screen.
>> * All other buttons along the left and bottom have a single dot to
>> indicate where they are.  You would have to add your own braille labels.
>> * If you drag your fingers across the touch screen, you will be
>> activating the buttons.
>> * There are beeps for every time you touch the touch screen.
>> * If a feature being activated on the touch screen has multiple
>> options, the pitch will change for each press of the button, and when you
>> get back to the top of the list the tone starts from the first pitch.
>> This
>> helps you know how many options there are for that feature, within that
>> cycle.  This is how the beeps worked on my now non-working Whirlpool Duet.
>> * The cycle selector knob does click and does beep as you turn it.  It
>> does not have an indicator/pointer and one revolution is not equal to
>> navigating through all of the cycle options.  Did not test to see if when
>> you turn the machine off if it goes back to the default settings.
>> * Although we did not test the dryer, it looks like the controls are
>> set up like the washer.
>>
>>
>>
>> These were not the actual models we were looking for, but they are what
>> Lowes has.  We are going to do a bit more research and I will let you know
>> what I learn.  If anyone has any additional information about these
>> models,
>> good or bad, I would love it if you would share.  Of course, any
>> recommendations for a washer you found to be accessible is welcome.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Annette
>>
>> hear
>>
>>
>>
>> Annette Carr
>>
>> Let me make you sparkle!
>>
>>
>>
>> Independent Consultant
>>
>> ~Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski~
>>
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>>
>> 703-915-2837 (call or text)
>>
>>
>>
>> View the online catalog and see all that TouchStone Crystal by Swarovski
>> has
>> to offer!
>>
>> <https://sites.touchstonecrystal.com/sites/annettecarr>
>> https://sites.touchstonecrystal.com/sites/annettecarr
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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