Meeting the needs of older and disabled consumers
Guidelines for product design and testing
(view report contents)
Electric irons checklist
Type
The checklist is for use with steam irons.
Older and disabled users will be concerned about the weight of the iron when filled with water. Irons assessed by RICA in the UK weighed between 1 and 2 kg - a significant difference for people with low strength.
Filling with water
- filling hole is large and easily accessible
consider people with unsteady hands
- no fiddly actions required to fill iron
- iron can be filled one-handed
does not need to be held at an angle
- water level visible
see-through areas should be clear, giving good visibility
- straightforward actions to empty the iron
turning the iron to different angles is difficult for
people with low strength or limited arm movement
Temperature setting
- control is easily accessible
sufficient space is needed for a hand with swollen joints
- control cannot be operated inadvertently
fingers around handle should not touch a control below it
- protruding control
recessed controls restrict finger space
- shape and size provide good gripping area
large area to grip, non-slippery surface
- control requires little force to operate
- setting positions are well spaced
cramped settings require precise finger control
- setting position 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
- indicator lights in easily visible position
- indicator lights brightly lit
Steam features
write in the types above the boxes - eg variable steam, vertical steaming,
water spray
| c c c c |
control is easily accessible
|
| c
c
c
c |
protruding control
|
| c
c
c
c |
controls are well spaced
|
| c
c
c
c |
shape and size provide good gripping
area
|
| c
c
c
c |
control requires little force to operate
|
| c
c
c
c |
all labelling and markings strongly colour contrasted against their background
|
| c
c
c
c |
all labelling and markings are large for easy viewing
|
| c
c
c
c |
shape and size of handle provide good gripping area no strain on finger joints, non-slippery surface
|
Handling the iron
- iron is well-balanced in use
weight is distributed over length of soleplate
- soleplate unlikely to be touched inadvertently
deep metal above the soleplate gets to hot to touch -
particularly dangerous to blind users
Descaling
- no fiddly actions required to descale the iron
iron can be descaled one-handed
Instructions
- 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
Report Contents
Introduction
Why design for all is important
Using
research to identify needs - the basic toolkit
Product group checklists
- washing machines
- tumble driers
- vacuum cleaners
- microwave ovens
- electric irons
- electric kettles
- toasters
- food preparation machines
- telephones
- cars
The practical principles of design for all
What can be done to raise awareness
Useful contacts
