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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I have not known that to be the case. More of my clothes have gotten destroyed using the front loaders we have in this building. Also, I don’t like the way clothes come back out at you when you are trying to put them in. I am much more used to top-loaders. Pam.</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sent from <a href="https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986">Mail</a> for Windows</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><b>From: </b><a href="mailto:electronics-talk@nfbnet.org">Annette Carr via Electronics-Talk</a><br><b>Sent: </b>Saturday, January 7, 2023 8:41 PM<br><b>To: </b><a href="mailto:electronics-talk@nfbnet.org">Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances</a><br><b>Cc: </b><a href="mailto:amcarr1@verizon.net">amcarr1@verizon.net</a><br><b>Subject: </b>Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines</p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I too will do everything I can to be able to use a front load washer. They</p><p class=MsoNormal>are easier to get things in and out, they use less water, they are gentle on</p><p class=MsoNormal>the items being washed, and they clean better than the top loader. </p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Annette</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>-----Original Message-----</p><p class=MsoNormal>From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces@nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of</p><p class=MsoNormal>Aaron Spears via Electronics-Talk</p><p class=MsoNormal>Sent: Saturday, January 7, 2023 6:44 PM</p><p class=MsoNormal>To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances</p><p class=MsoNormal><electronics-talk@nfbnet.org></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cc: Aaron Spears <valiant8086@gmail.com></p><p class=MsoNormal>Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hi.</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I love front loaders for a variety of reasons. I'm trying to make a rule</p><p class=MsoNormal>here at the house that we'll never get another one that isn't a front</p><p class=MsoNormal>loader, but that's just us. I think they clean better, they use less water,</p><p class=MsoNormal>they may last better, at least the one we have now is older than we managed</p><p class=MsoNormal>to get the previous 3 sets to go.</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cheers:</p><p class=MsoNormal>Aaron Spears, AKA Valiant8086 General Partner at Valiant Galaxy Associates</p><p class=MsoNormal>"we make (VERY GOOD AUDIOGAMES) for the blind comunity"</p><p class=MsoNormal>http://valiantGalaxy.com</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On 1/7/2023 4:15 PM, Sherry Gomes via Electronics-Talk wrote:</p><p class=MsoNormal>> I just replaced my LG washer and dryer with traditional buttons and knobs</p><p class=MsoNormal>washer/dryer by whirlpool. I got them at Lowe's. I had really liked my</p><p class=MsoNormal>friend's LG set, and had used it for two months while waiting to move into</p><p class=MsoNormal>my new house. but on my set, the digital display was so sensitive that I</p><p class=MsoNormal>swear breathing too hard near it changed thing. walking by and a sleeve</p><p class=MsoNormal>touching it, a dog's wagging tail. I loved them because I had wanted a front</p><p class=MsoNormal>loader for years. I can't reach the bottom of top loaders. But I broke down</p><p class=MsoNormal>and got these whirlpools and I'm reasonably happy with them. My sister</p><p class=MsoNormal>helped me put some locator dots on them, and they are 100 percent</p><p class=MsoNormal>accessible.</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> -----Original Message-----</p><p class=MsoNormal>> From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces@nfbnet.org> On Behalf </p><p class=MsoNormal>> Of Annette Carr via Electronics-Talk</p><p class=MsoNormal>> Sent: Saturday, January 7, 2023 1:08 PM</p><p class=MsoNormal>> To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances' </p><p class=MsoNormal>> <electronics-talk@nfbnet.org></p><p class=MsoNormal>> Cc: amcarr1@verizon.net</p><p class=MsoNormal>> Subject: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible Washing Machines</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> As you can probably guess from the subject line, we are in the market for</p><p class=MsoNormal>a new washer. Saw 4 potential options at Lowes, so was wondering if anyone</p><p class=MsoNormal>has experience with any of them. I am pleased to report that the sales</p><p class=MsoNormal>person went and got an extension cord and plugged in the machines we wanted</p><p class=MsoNormal>to look at.</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> </p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> Here are the models with notes about what I was able to observe.</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> </p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> LG washer model WM4200HBA</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> And</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> LG washer model WM4000HBA</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> * Has a stand-a-lone physical power button. I think it also had a</p><p class=MsoNormal>> stand-a-lone physical button for starting.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * The cycle selector has defined clicks that you could easily feel as</p><p class=MsoNormal>> you turned the knob, along with an audible tone.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * However, the knob did not have an indicator/pointer, and a complete</p><p class=MsoNormal>> revolution of the knob did not return you to where you started from.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * When you turn the machine off and then turn it back on, you are back</p><p class=MsoNormal>> at the "Normal" cycle and its default settings. You could keep a braille</p><p class=MsoNormal>list of the cycles in the order of their position around the knob, and just</p><p class=MsoNormal>count the clicks/beeps.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * There is a touch screen with buttons along the sides and bottom.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> There is a very thin seem around the outer edge of the touch screen.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * If you drag your finger across the buttons on the touch screen or</p><p class=MsoNormal>> accidentally touch one of the buttons, it will be activated.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * There is some room around the outside of the touch panel to place</p><p class=MsoNormal>> abbreviated braille labels or at least an indicator dot so that you could</p><p class=MsoNormal>get lined up with the button.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * When you touch the touch screen, there is a beep. There are only 2</p><p class=MsoNormal>> different sounds. One indicates that something changed, and the other</p><p class=MsoNormal>indicates that there was no change. The beeps do not tell you if you have</p><p class=MsoNormal>cycled through all of the choices, so you do not know how many options there</p><p class=MsoNormal>are. Whether a feature is available and the number of options for it, is</p><p class=MsoNormal>different for each cycle. For my current washer that just bit the dust I</p><p class=MsoNormal>had a document on my computer that outlined each of the cycles, the</p><p class=MsoNormal>available features and their options. I had always planned on brailling it</p><p class=MsoNormal>up, or finding someone to do it for me, and never did.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * Although we did not test the dryer, it looks like the controls are</p><p class=MsoNormal>> set up like the washer.</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> </p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> GE washer model GFW550SSN2WW</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> * The Power and Start Button are combined on a small touch pad, but it</p><p class=MsoNormal>> is easy to use it. The Power is at the top edge, and the start is on the</p><p class=MsoNormal>bottom edge. I can't remember if they required pressure to activate, I</p><p class=MsoNormal>think it was just a touch.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * The cycle selector knob clicked and had beeps, along with a pointer.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> You could add braille labels and this would be pretty accessible.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * There is a touch screen to change the settings for the cycles.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * There are buttons on the sides and bottom of the touch screen.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * There are thin lines between the buttons, but if you drag your</p><p class=MsoNormal>> finger from button to button you will be activating each button you touch.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * There is some room around the outside of the touch screen where you</p><p class=MsoNormal>> could place tactile indicators or abbreviated braille labels.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * You will need a cheat-sheet of some type to know which features are</p><p class=MsoNormal>> available in each cycle, and what the available options are for each</p><p class=MsoNormal>feature.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * There were audible beeps, but they were hard to hear in the store.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> It was not apparent if there is a volume control.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * Although we did not test the dryer, it looks like the controls are</p><p class=MsoNormal>> set up like the washer.</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> </p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> Samsung washer model WF45B6300AC</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> * There is a touch screen to control everything accept select the</p><p class=MsoNormal>> cycles.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * The buttons are on the sides and bottom of the touch screen, but</p><p class=MsoNormal>> there is some braille and tactile indicator dots. Yes, actual braille and</p><p class=MsoNormal>tactile marks. The sales person was as shocked as we were.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * The Power button is on the top-right corner and there is a braille</p><p class=MsoNormal>> "P" off the right edge of the touch screen.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * Below the Power button is the start button and there is a braille</p><p class=MsoNormal>> "S" off the right edge of the touch screen.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * All other buttons along the left and bottom have a single dot to</p><p class=MsoNormal>> indicate where they are. You would have to add your own braille labels.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * If you drag your fingers across the touch screen, you will be</p><p class=MsoNormal>> activating the buttons.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * There are beeps for every time you touch the touch screen.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * If a feature being activated on the touch screen has multiple</p><p class=MsoNormal>> options, the pitch will change for each press of the button, and when you</p><p class=MsoNormal>get back to the top of the list the tone starts from the first pitch. This</p><p class=MsoNormal>helps you know how many options there are for that feature, within that</p><p class=MsoNormal>cycle. This is how the beeps worked on my now non-working Whirlpool Duet.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * The cycle selector knob does click and does beep as you turn it. It</p><p class=MsoNormal>> does not have an indicator/pointer and one revolution is not equal to</p><p class=MsoNormal>navigating through all of the cycle options. Did not test to see if when</p><p class=MsoNormal>you turn the machine off if it goes back to the default settings.</p><p class=MsoNormal>> * Although we did not test the dryer, it looks like the controls are</p><p class=MsoNormal>> set up like the washer.</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> </p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> These were not the actual models we were looking for, but they are what</p><p class=MsoNormal>Lowes has. We are going to do a bit more research and I will let you know</p><p class=MsoNormal>what I learn. If anyone has any additional information about these models,</p><p class=MsoNormal>good or bad, I would love it if you would share. Of course, any</p><p class=MsoNormal>recommendations for a washer you found to be accessible is welcome.</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> </p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> Thanks,</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> Annette</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> hear</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> </p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> Annette Carr</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> Let me make you sparkle!</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> </p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> Independent Consultant</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> ~Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski~</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> <mailto:amcarr1@verizon.net> amcarr1@verizon.net</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> 703-915-2837 (call or text)</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> </p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> View the online catalog and see all that TouchStone Crystal by Swarovski</p><p class=MsoNormal>has to offer!</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> <https://sites.touchstonecrystal.com/sites/annettecarr></p><p class=MsoNormal>> https://sites.touchstonecrystal.com/sites/annettecarr</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> </p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> </p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> _______________________________________________</p><p class=MsoNormal>> Electronics-Talk mailing list</p><p class=MsoNormal>> Electronics-Talk@nfbnet.org</p><p class=MsoNormal>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org</p><p class=MsoNormal>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for</p><p class=MsoNormal>Electronics-Talk:</p><p class=MsoNormal>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/sherry.g</p><p class=MsoNormal>> omes%40outlook.com</p><p class=MsoNormal>><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>> _______________________________________________</p><p class=MsoNormal>> Electronics-Talk mailing list</p><p class=MsoNormal>> Electronics-Talk@nfbnet.org</p><p class=MsoNormal>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org</p><p class=MsoNormal>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for</p><p class=MsoNormal>Electronics-Talk:</p><p class=MsoNormal>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/valiant8</p><p class=MsoNormal>> 086%40gmail.com</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________</p><p class=MsoNormal>Electronics-Talk mailing list</p><p class=MsoNormal>Electronics-Talk@nfbnet.org</p><p class=MsoNormal>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org</p><p class=MsoNormal>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for</p><p class=MsoNormal>Electronics-Talk:</p><p class=MsoNormal>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/amcarr1%40veri</p><p class=MsoNormal>zon.net</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________</p><p class=MsoNormal>Electronics-Talk mailing list</p><p class=MsoNormal>Electronics-Talk@nfbnet.org</p><p class=MsoNormal>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org</p><p class=MsoNormal>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Electronics-Talk:</p><p class=MsoNormal>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/pammygirl99%40gmail.com</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>