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.