Technology Bill of Rights for the Blind Introduced

[laundryshark]

*Apologies for injecting some politics here in the newer appliances section, but this story is most definitely pertinent.--Laundry Shark*

Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today introduced the Technology Bill of Rights for the Blind (H.R. 4533), which will mandate that all consumer electronics, home appliances, kiosks, and electronic office technology provide user interfaces that are accessible to the blind. For more information on this exciting development, please read the official press release.

http://www.nfb.org/nfb/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=542

 

[toggleswitch2]

~In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.

Well now that is quite the last sentence, isn't it!

GOOD NEWS! FINALLY! Thanks for posting this. The way electronics have beocme dirt cheap and ever-present one can only expect machines will soon "talk" as buttons are pressed.

Normal wash.
Hot water.
Extra rinse
Extra spin, etc.

Since there is now closed-captioning required on all televisions for the hearing-impaired (and as a tool for immigrants to learn English, [really!]) let's think of our blind bretheren as well.

 

[amyswasher]

I don't see why is isn't in all appliances that have a end of cycle beeper already. Put in a special code, and wallah, it speaks. My dishwasher has all sorts of cods for different(and odd) things. I can't remember where the booklet is for it. I don't know if every dishwasher came with this for Sears left it in the dishwasher(I bought the floor model).

 

[goatfarmer]

I have an aunt who is blind. She has never had a problem doing laundry with her Maytag 606's. I think the timer has a mark on it, and she knows the buttons by feel.

 

[laundryshark]

Appliance Control Layouts

As long as there are buttons to push, dials to turn, switches to flip, etc, blind and low vision consumers can apply minor adaptations. Otherwise, these touch sensitive screens with the moving "invisible" graphics (not detectable by blind and low vision consumers) are a major barrier to our independence and self sufficiency. In the threads dealing with the newest Kenmore and Whirlpool appliances, I posted a little reminder about this issue.--Laundry Shark