[Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines

Mon Jan 9 22:14:44 UTC 2023

I agree with you.  I went out and did a little research.  Maytag are still
one of the most reliable.  They were very easy to request braille labels
from back in 1998 when I bought the Maytag Neptune pair.  

I also read that if you have a pair that is even as old as 25 years old as
mine are, if in good condition aesthetically and still operational, and are
accessible, to just have them serviced. 

They truly don't build washers and dryers to last more than about eleven
years anymore.

I am still keeping notes though as if this pair does really fail, then I
appreciate the information which has been shared here.

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
Robin Frost via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2023 4:06 PM
To: electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Robin Frost <robini71 at fastmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines

Hi,

You might also consider the MayTag model

MHW8630HC3

or

MHW8630Hw3

The hc or hw on the end merely indicate the color of the unit and same for
their accompanying dryer models both gas and electric.

This model boasts actual tactile buttons one can feel and count by running
their finger down the side of the display area. These buttons do not change
position but beep when registering a press. The dial that turns for
selecting cycles is attenuated meaning it clicks into each position and
emits a beep to indicate that it's registered a cycle change. It also has a
tactile pointer to help to orient where the dial is pointing. They also have
an iPhone app that works well with VoiceOver so that blind people can set
cycles, customize cycles and monitor progress of a cycle and get
notifications from within the app. However, if their servers are down or the
unit is not online it can still be operated independently with the tactile
buttons and dial on the display once memorized.

Every time I've communicated with MayTag they've been responsive to all
suggestions regarding accessibility.

I hope that helps.

On 1/7/2023 4:07 PM, Annette Carr via Electronics-Talk wrote:

> 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~
>
>   <mailto:amcarr1 at verizon.net>  amcarr1 at verizon.net
>
> 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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