modifications to washing machine?

Category: accessible Devices

Post 1 by sparkie (the hilljack) on Sunday, 29-Jan-2006 16:14:35

I have recently purchased a kenmar washer and dryer from sears. The dryer is fine, however the washer has the regular timer dial, then it has this plastic peace that you have to line up with the timer dial, the plastic dial is very slick and you have to very careful to line it up. I do have this machine marked, but it seems that it's still very hard for a blind person to line this thing up with the two dials, if the one dial is just the slitest off with the other it will start the wrong cycle. I'm not sure of this particular model, but I'm wondering if anyone has a washing machine like this, and if so what is the best way to use it and can you make any modifications to it? Thanks.
Troy

Post 2 by bozmagic (The rottie's your best friend if you want him/her to be, lol.) on Sunday, 19-Feb-2006 12:53:37

Well, I suggest you get a sighted friend or family member to help you position the dials for you, at the start of your chosen cycle, then stick transparent bump-ons on the numbers round the dials. You can't really go wrong with that.

Post 3 by Ukulele<3 (Try me... You know you want to.) on Sunday, 19-Feb-2006 13:28:12

There is this thing called a thermal pen which when heated up, can be used for such a purpose. I heard of it through my commission councilor who used it to make little marks on my kitchen appliances for me. You'd have to have a sighted person draw a thin line on the two dials to have it match each other. It's pretty cool because you can match up the lines and it is thin enough so that it won't mess up your cycle. I'm pretty sure, anyway. lol So hope this helps and let me know if it works.


*SG*

Post 4 by sparkie (the hilljack) on Sunday, 19-Feb-2006 20:04:25

it worked, we also used duck tape lol i know sound strange but we used it also to help to re enforce.
Troy