Hi Clive I don't think our Bosch was overly priced, and it has a mechanical dial with a useful arrow so it doesn't need to be marked. If you turn it once clockwise, you can access 30 degrees, two turns for 40 degrees, and so on. There is a raised button to start the machine, and it bleeps when you've pressed it. There are audible bleeps that demand you turn it off immediately when the cycle ends, but if you ignore them long enough, it does shut up. It's very accessible from a non-sighted perspective. Similarly, Hotpoint models work along the same lines, and I agree with you that the mechanical knobs are better than the fixed dials as they give no indication of where the cycle is. But I can assure you it isn't necessary to pay over the odds to get something fairly accessible. Kind Regards, Jackie Cairns J&M Work-Ability jandm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.work-ability.co.uk -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Clive.Lever@xxxxxxxxxxx Sent: 20 May 2011 10:33 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Washing machine or washer drier recommendations Hi Audrey, I've spoken to Kent Association for the Blind rehab for you. If you're partially-sighted: You want to make sure that the washing machine you get has clearly colour-contrasted markings. If you're blind and would operate by touch, do not get: A washing machine with a free-running dial. That is, one that locks into position one way, and will go round and round if you turn the other. The dial rotation must have a definite start and end. It will be easier to put tactile markings such as bump-ons on these. Try to avoid those washing machine which are designed so that you can be tidy and push all the buttons in when you finish with them. They are harder to mark up. Don't by an electronic machine as these rely on you having to look at which lights are on to operate them. Most washing machines/washer dryers these days don't have free rotating dials, push-in buttons or reliance upon screens to operate them, so you should be pretty safe as long as you watch out for rogue ones. Best therefore to go into a shop that sells washing machines and ask for some sort of hands-on demonstration. Leave it to the shop assistants to tell you which are the best ones, and they may well say "The cheap ones are visual I'm Afraid. You want one of these top-price models." (he says cynically). HTH, Clive Clive Lever Diversity Advisor 01622 221163 (extension 7000 1163) Room 1.15, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, ME14 1XQ. Diversity is a strength and we will value and harness difference for the benefit of all service users, the individual and KCC. -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Audrey Tonge Sent: 20 May 2011 09:08 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Washing machine or washer drier recommendations HI everyone. I find that I need to buy a new washing machine and would like to know what others would recommend from a blind persons angle. I am also looking into washer dryers as an alternative and wonder about others experiences of these as well. Any recommendations and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Audrey ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq