Hello Tom,
It is certainly something the NFB is working on. There is a petition on change.org regarding 
accessible appliances. 
There are some Companies who provide talking labels free to those who need them. 
You can get these labels and the Talking Device through some Pharmacies including some Mail Order 
ones. 
Walmart and Kroger other Pharmacies also have this equipment.
Some pharmacies provide large print or braille labels.
Envision America is a good place to start.
I know this is off topic but in view of the need for the equipment I thought I would post it here. I hope this 
helps.
Some Appliance manufacturers do not see the need to make their appliances accessible because there are not many 
blind people they think would need them.
We need to get others in the general population to support us in this endeavor. 
Colleen,  n8TNV; 
On Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:23:14 -0400, Tom Behler wrote:


>I know this is off topic, but it is important in my view.
>
>Why is it that we sometimes feel steps toward accessibility are going
>backward, rather than forward in some areas.
>
>Over the past 4 years or so, my XYL and I have had to replace our washer,
>our drier, and our dishwasher.
>
>We looked at all the usual home appliance places, and all of the machines we
>found are push-button and menu-driven.
>
>With some creativity and resourcefulness, I have been able to figure out how
>to operate these appliances independently by counting button presses,
>listening to different beep pitches, etc., but it just seems to me that it
>shouldn't be this difficult.
>
>I'm always amazed that organizations like the NFB haven't been able to put
>more pressure on manufacturers to make things more accessible, especially in
>this day and age when the technology is clearly out there.
>
>And, by this last remark, please know that I'm not casting aspersions at the
>NFB.
>
>I suspect that they have tried to have an impact, but apparently without
>much success.
>
>One other area that also has always urked me is the lack of attention paid
>to providing assistance in labeling medications, both prescription and
>over-the-counter, but that's another topic for another day.
>
>Once again, I've taken on these tasks myself, but it just seems like there
>should be another way.
>
>Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>On Behalf Of John Miller
>Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2014 5:21 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: OT regarding making home appliances accessible
>
>My inlaws just got a new washer about 2 months ago. It's not the old style
>dials but it has the dials that click for load size, water temp, and mode,
>cycle what ever you want to call it. It would be easy to braille label, to
>start it you just push a button. I don't know what brand it is or anything
>but I've used it with no labeling when I was helping them move. IF mine dies
>I hope to find one just like it.