Dear AccessWorld Editor,
I recently read a past AccessWorld article regarding accessibility of household appliances for people with low vision. I want to thank you for acknowledging that there is a significant difference between an individual seeking appliances who is completely blind compared to those of us with low vision.
My daughter, who is 17, and I (34) both have retinitis pigmentosa and are both at varying stages of progression, and we are progressing differently than one another. My husband and I have been on a "mad hunt" for a new washer and dryer due to our recent inability to see the marker on our current machines. Not only is the marker an issue, but font, color, and the fact that the marker isn't stationary and spins behind a plastic cover, which also provides glare, are additional issues.
I would like to share a product with AccessWorld readers we have found which is the Whirlpool Cabrio Platinum clothes washer, slate/black with white letters. The controls on this machine are simple, and it has a set marker dial. It has a simple on/off button for start/stop, and it is very visually friendly for people who may need reverse contrast coloring. This product is a top loader style and also has an audible ding when selecting a setting. I am on the hunt for a front load style if I can find one, but so far I have not been successful. Many of these styles are illuminated dials, which would be fine if you could read where the dot was located. I am sure I could use tactile dots or puffy paint to mark where certain settings are but I'd rather just find something I can read (at least for now). Many of these models have audible dials as well but if you don't know where you're starting at then it really doesn't do much good. The rote memory seems to be a low vision and/or blind person's best friend.
One model we have considered is the GE Slate/Grey Front Load washer/dryer. I would need to review it again and touch the system plugged in (which they never are in the stores) in order to determine if it would be a true possibility.
Again, thank you for the article.
Sincerely,
Rachel Henson
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
I just read Aaron Preece's February article entitled, An In-depth Evaluation of the BARD Mobile App from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. This is an excellent, detailed, and clearly written description of a well-designed app. It's too bad more people don't know that at least one segment of the government does their job as well as NLS does!
Regards,
Gil Johnson
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
While I agree with much of February's in depth review of the BARD Mobile app, I have to say that I was disappointed a bug I experienced wasn't mentioned. Some of the books still have the "Turn over the tape." message. As if that weren't annoying enough, after that message, the book goes back to an earlier section. When I contacted BARD, they told me they couldn't replicate the problem and would not look into it further. This is very disappointing.
Sincerely,
Jewel
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
When using the AccessWorld Search tool to search back issues for information on Android apps, I came across J.J. Meddaugh's March 2013 article entitled, A Collection of Accessible Apps for Your Android Device. This was a wonderful article. I found it very helpful. There were some apps I was aware of already, and there were others that I was not familiar with. I suggest that this article be updated periodically so blind and visually impaired users, like me, can keep up-to-date on all the latest accessible Android apps.
Thanks,
Janae L. Miller
