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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask you to help me find an accessible washer drier?

31 replies

Whatisthisfuckery · 13/03/2020 16:12

Posting here for traffic.

I am having an absolute nightmare trying to find a washer drier that is accessible for a blind person to use. I’ve scoured the internet for info and there’s virtually nothing; I’ve called RNIB and they didn’t know anything; I’ve called Research Institute for Disabled Consumers and they know nothing; I’ve called Appliances Direct who despite trying to be helpful didn’t really know what to suggest; I’ve called my local John Lewis who have none on display for me to look at and were fucking useless tbh; and I’ve called Curry’s who were predictably unreachable, so I’ve decided to ask the Mumsnet massive for help instead.

Right, so I’m looking for a washer drier which has tactile controls. They don’t have to be labelled but you do need to be able to feel them. If there’s a dial it needs to click round. If there are settings you scroll through with a single menu it needs to be consistent in so much that it always starts at the same programme, so if I have to press three times for the setting I want it has to be the same each time I switch it on.

I’m really struggling here so any suggestions you might have would be much appreciated. Just imagine you have to learn to use your washer drier with a blindfold on. You might have to learn how to use it but it needs to be possible to do so.

Thoughts please? Cheers in advance.

OP posts:
Whatisthisfuckery · 13/03/2020 16:13

Oh, and I also rang Bosch who were no use either.

OP posts:
Rahul88 · 13/03/2020 16:34

It seems smart washing machines that can be controlled by Alexa etc are now a thing, would this work?

Whatisthisfuckery · 13/03/2020 16:37

I can’t find any useful info. I’ve scoured my usual sources of info, along with info about the apps that operate them and the only one I can find any reviews about is the Samsung one, which is apparently useless.

OP posts:
Stinkycatbreath · 13/03/2020 16:48

Try here it depends on the level of impairment
www.ridc.org.uk/features-reviews/home/washing-machines/our-recommendations-washing-machines.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 13/03/2020 16:51

Meile have dials on machines but I don't know about washer driers- does it have to be a w/d they're pretty terrible?

QuestionableMouse · 13/03/2020 16:57

Unfortunately the exact thing you're looking for probably doesn't exist.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 13/03/2020 17:04

A long article about this very issue which may help :

www.instructables.com/id/Talking-Washing-Machine-Interface-for-the-Blind-AK/

Whatisthisfuckery · 13/03/2020 17:10

Thanks all. I think Meille are a bit out of reach price wise.

OP posts:
Fluffybutter · 13/03/2020 17:30

My Hoover -washer dryer is a “smart” one so there is an app but the connection for us is rubbish as the router is on our second floor and washing machine is on ground floor .
May be ok if not a town house ?

BodiesMakeForGoodFertiliser · 13/03/2020 17:46

I have Hoover washer dryer and it is clear on the wheel when you turn. It clicks. When you change temp or spin or other bits it beeps when pressing the button.

Would it be possible to buy similar and use braille label maker to mark all programs, temperatures spins and other bits like drying? It always starts on same so you could have a page in braille next to it with
Program - spins - temp
And always go from that?

Whatisthisfuckery · 13/03/2020 17:53

Thank you all for the ideas. I’ll have a good long internet with DP this weekend and try to come up with somet.

OP posts:
Bookbandconfusion · 13/03/2020 17:55

I will look up what the accessible one we got is called when I have a minute - it is the cheapest one that AO stock and does a reasonable job although it's quite noisy!

Moominmammaatsea · 13/03/2020 17:59

Following with interest, I hope you don’t mind, but my preteen has recently lost her sight and is now registered blind.

She’s not at the stage of doing her own washing yet but we have a Miele washing machine that can be controlled from a mobile phone.

I didn’t actually buy it for that reason, rather because I wanted something decent to replace our previous 15-year-old model.

If funds don’t allow, maybe you could apply for a grant from the RNIB or any local charities? It could also be worth speaking to your local habilitation or independent living specialists in your authority’s adult social care or disability teams?

I will get my thinking cap on and see if I can come up with any more suggestions!

Pollony · 13/03/2020 18:00

I have a logik l814wmb17, it has a dial that clicks round, so programmes all stay the same (3 clicks for cotton etc. And a groove on the top so you can tell which way the dial is pointing) it is also very easy to set a favourite so you can just leave it on one setting (turn the dial back and forward once to select it)

Dont know if it would be any good sorry if it's not what you mean.

katcatkat · 13/03/2020 18:07

John lewis own brand machines have a dial that clicks round

Moominmammaatsea · 13/03/2020 18:10

www.ridc.org.uk/features-reviews/home/washing-machines/our-recommendations-washing-machines

@Whatisthisfuckery, the above article features the top 10 most accessible washing machines for blind and partially-sighted people. Hope there’s a model there for you!

Moominmammaatsea · 13/03/2020 18:12

www.vitaltech.org.uk/theme/laundry/

And Bosch offer a free tactile adaptations service on some of their appliances!

Whatisthisfuckery · 13/03/2020 18:15

Thank you all, plenty to be going on with there.

OP posts:
notagaincharlie · 13/03/2020 18:48

My dad uses the RNIB bumpons to mark his normal settings, plus I have photo of his dials so I can advise if he gets muddled.

notagaincharlie · 13/03/2020 18:49

These

To ask you to help me find an accessible washer drier?
Moominmammaatsea · 13/03/2020 19:44

Some really good suggestions here for the future for my DD to help her with her independent living in the future!

notagaincharlie · 13/03/2020 21:19

https://shop.rnib.org.uk/braille-and-labelling/labelling/penfriend-audio-labeller.html

@Moominmammaatsea

This is our favourite.... does labels but also messages from Grandpa as Santa Smile

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