Microwave ovens checklist
Microwave ovens are potentially very useful to people with disabilities. They can be placed and used in any room and at any height, which suits both people who live mainly in one room and wheelchair users who can avoid having to reach and bend. People with painful or limited use of their hands are likely to find the controls easier to operate than on a conventional cooker.
Microwave ovens with straightforward and logical settings can suit people with learning difficulties. Some blind and partially sighted people feel safer cooking with a basic microwave oven which has no hot flames or elements. Some do all their cooking in a microwave oven so are potential buyers of models with lots of features as long as they can be set without the need for good eyesight.
Types
This checklist can be used with three types of microwave oven :
- microwave cooking only
- microwave cooking and grilling
- microwave, grill and convection oven cooking
Within the types there is a choice of manual dials or electronic touch controls with push buttons or touch pads and an electronic display to show the settings.
Controls
- layout of control panel is logical
- setting sequences are straightforward and logical
- individual controls are well spaced (cramped controls are difficult for those with limited dexterity)
- controls can be located by touch (dials and raised push buttons can be felt, flat touch pads cannot)
- controls for different functions are differently shaped (easier to identify by touch)
- shape and size provide good gripping area (large area to grip, non-slippery surface)
- control requires little force to operate
- touch controls bleep at each increment (possible to count through settings)
- manual control settings can be felt by touch (this can be achieved by raised markings on the control and its surrounds )
- all labelling and markings strongly colour contrasted against their background
- all labelling and markings are large for easy viewing
- oven stays in place when controls are operated (ovens that slide need two-handed operation)
- safety device to prevent operation by small children (eg electronic controls can be switched off)
Electronic display
Where available
- brightly lit display
- displayed digits are large and clear
- all markings and labelling are large for easy viewing
- all markings and labelling strongly colour contrasted against their background
- displayed information is easy to understand in simple terms and logical
Putting food in
- shape and size of door handle provide good gripping area (plenty of space for fingers, non-slippery surface)
- door opening button provides good gripping area
- door button requires little force to operate
- door opens without a deep push on the button (buttons that push in a long way are difficult for people with limited dexterity)
- opening and closing the door requires little force
- door opening angle of at least 130 degrees (to allow easy access particularly if surfaces get hot)
- turntable is secure on its base
- turntable is light enough to be easily handled
- space below turntable for easy lifting out
- interior lighting is bright
- food can be seen through the closed door (dark glass or heavy patterning can prevent this)
Using the grill/convection oven
Where available
- no fiddly actions required to insert racks
- racks fit securely inside the cavity
Instructions
Likely to be more heavily used than with other domestic appliances
- paper is matt or with slight sheen (glossy paper reflects light - difficult to read from)
- written in simple language, no technical terms
- clear and logical layout (main printed text in minimum 12 point size)
- printed text in sans-serif typeface
- large print version available on request (minimum 14 point type throughout)
- audio tape and/or braille version available on request
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