[nabs-l] access to appliances

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi Ashley and all,

To center your pan on a flat stove burner:

1. Make sure the stovetop is completely clear.
2. Turn one of the burner dials clockwise.
3. Use your hands a few inches above the stovetop to feel for the heat
source and move your pan so there is an equal amount of heat on each
side of the pan.
As long as you aren't directly touching the stovetop this method won't hurt you!

Appliance accessibility is definitely a problem,  but I've found that
with a lot of  appliances, all the print on them doesn't really
matter. For example, with my dishwasher, I just put the soap in, lock
it and turn the knob until I hear it start running. I don't care much
what setting it's on as long  as it washes my dishes!

You can get your oven and microwave labeled with minimal sighted
assistance, using Braille labels or little tactile dots.

Flat panels are irritating--but putting a little sticker or dot on the
buttons you'll use most eliminates most problems.

Also, I never label my stovetop dials because they're almost always
the same. When you first turn it from the Off position, it usually
starts at high heat and  then the heat level decreases. If your stove
looks more complicated than that, enlist a brief orientation from
someone who can read the dial and/or who's used that stove before.

Arielle

On 5/26/09, Bill <cassonw at gmail.com> wrote:
> NFB does advocate accessible electronics.  We just submitted the technology
> rights bill or at least were triing to.  There is a list of products that
> can be made accessible on NFB's website. look for the accessble home
> showcase.
>
> On Mon, May 25, 2009 at 4:34 PM, Ashley Bramlett
> <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> Now a days it seems like more flat pannels out there!  Many students live
>> at home when not studying at college in the dorms.  For those of you in
>> your
>> own places, a question.
>>
>> How have you made your appliances accessible?  All appliances are flat:
>> microwaves, stoves, and ovens.  Dishwashers too.  These flat touch screens
>> can be labeled so we can use them.  Stoves are another problem though.
>> I know there are talking microwaves.  Are there other talking appliances?
>>  It would be neat to have a talking dishwasher so it could call out to you
>> when your dishes were done!
>>
>> Do you have stoves you can feel the burners?  Most stoves now have flat
>> tops!  I was at Sears and another store and saw this.  I don't think a
>> flat
>> stove would be real safe.  I have one at home here and use my vision for
>> it.
>>  Its harder to center the pots.  When I could touch the burners I touched
>> them before turning on the stove.  I centered the pot and then turned the
>> stove on.  My point being flat stoves are not as accessible!
>> When they started making flat stoves with flat burners they didn't think
>> of
>> low vision.
>> I have tunnel vision.  The burners are not even a different color making
>> it
>> hard to see!  You can only see it after the stove is turned on and the
>> burner turns a redish color from the heat.
>>
>> Are there companies that have more accessible appliances than others?  If
>> so, which ones? Any out there making the old type of stove where the
>> burners
>> were raised?
>> Just wondering what's out there.  If this is a problem, NFB should
>> advocate
>> for accessibility.
>>
>> Ashley
>>
>>
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