[Electronics-Talk] Accessible vending Machines

[dandrews920 at comcast.net]

Where I work, the state agency for the blind, our vending folks have had to
add some stuff, I don't think there is a lot on the market. Our snack
machine has buttons, so there are cards on a ring, in Braille, hanging on
side of machine that have the numbers you use for each item.

Our coffee machine has Braille chart on front, with numbers for each item.
The keypad is a touch pad, so they made a 3-D template that goes over it,
with cutouts for each number. You can feel the template and numbers, then
press in the holes, for the numbers you want. That machine has a little
speech, but not much, it says thankyou when you are successful!

Dave


-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
Kyle Garcia via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 7:57 AM
To: electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Kyle Garcia <kgarcia2432 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible vending Machines

Hello,

I am doing some research for my work on what accessible vending machines
options are out there and figured it would be worth seeing if anyone on this
list has some leads. Does anyone know of any particular models that are more
accessible than average? Similarly, are there any exceptionally inaccessible
ones to avoid? We currently have a snack and drink machine at each of our
locations, with not all locations having the same models.
While both at my worksite can be operated with keypads there have been
complaints from associates having difficulty using the machines
non-visually. My supervisor is open to other types of machines as well if
there is say a super accessible coffee or food machine that we could add as
an additional option.

Thank you in advance,

Kyle Garcia
Intern | Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) Board Member |
California Association of Blind Students Treasurer | San Jose Chapter of the
National Federation of the Blind of California
Office: 410-737-2663
Cell: 408-203-8509
Email: kgarcia at bism.org
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