Well there you go Tom.  I don't know how to reverse trends like 
that but the petition regarding home appliances may be a good 
start.  73, Jim WA6EKS

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Behler <[log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Date sent: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:30:06 -0400
Subject: Re: OT regarding making home appliances accessible

Jim:

My wife and I have a 2013 Subaru Outback, and there are many 
functions on
the am/fm car radio and stereo sound system that I still haven't 
figured out
yet.

There is just no way for you to tell where you are in the menus, 
many of
which are several layers deep.

Another thing that concerns me is that Subaru's used to have NOAA 
weather
radio built into their car radio systems.

But, apparently, no more, according to our area Subaru dealer.

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators 
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Jim Gammon
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 2:44 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: OT regarding making home appliances accessible

Tom, by time you go to buy something it will more than likely not 
be
accessible if the trend keeps going the way it is.  Another 
disturbing area,
not that us blind folks drive, yet, is in the arena of car 
dashboard
instrumentation, even the radios.  Stuff is  getting more and 
more
unfriendly from the standpoint of accessibility.  I remember 
trying to
replace a car stereo at one point a number of years ago and being 
blown away
because I think it was Kenwood had a radio that, like their ham 
rigs, spoke
many of the functions of the radio so the driver wouldn't have to 
take
his/her eyes off the road.  Can't remember if it spoke the 
frequency, but it
was the only car radio I ever found that worked like that.  I 
don't know if
that function is available by them or other brands these days.  
73, Jim
WA6EKS