Meeting the needs of older and disabled consumers
Guidelines for product design and testing (view report contents)

Vacuum cleaner checklists

vacuum cleaner Types

The checklist can be used with upright and cylinder vacuum cleaners. People are likely to have their own preference for one or the other. Generally upright cleaners will suit people with impaired mobility, because they offer some support to those who walk with difficulty. They can also be easier to handle by wheelchair users than cylinder cleaners which tend to get tangled up with wheelchair wheels. The fact that cylinder cleaners need some assembly - connecting tubing and tools - for even basic cleaning may deter people with limited dexterity.

For people with impaired mobility, limited strength or dexterity, the carrying weight of the cleaner will be very important. Vacuum cleaners weighing more than 8kg are unacceptably heavy for these people, less than 6kg will suit most people. The length from the carrying area or handle to the rear end of the cleaner should be no more than 50cm to be held clear of the ground by most people.

Carrying the cleaner

cleaner weight less than 8kg
weight including all attachments

cleaner weight less than 6kg
weight including all attachments

cleaner can be held easily clear of the ground
maximum length handle to rear end 50cm

cleaning head stays in position when carried
upright cleaners only

cleaner easy to balance
affected by the position of the carrying area/handle

cleaner can be carried close to the body
not too bulky

carrying handle has rounded edges and comfortable grip
assess with the flex stored

carrying handle usable with one hand or two

stored accessories held in position when cleaner moved

Flex storage

automatic flex rewind

if not automatic, quick release hook(s) for flex

single action to release flex

clear access to plug to pull out flex

requires little force to pull out flex

automatic rewind only

active area of rewind button is large

rewind button can be operated by foot or hand

requires little force to operate rewind button

flex retracts at controlled speed
danger of catching legs if rewind too fast

manual rewind only

hooks large enough to hold flex easily

once wound, flex remains securely in position

Assembling the cleaner

little force required to attach and detach hose

no fiddly actions required to attach and detach hose

little force required to fit tubing securely and separate

no fiddly actions required to fit and separate tubing

good colour contrast between tools and storage area

little force required to remove tools from storage

no fiddly actions required to remove tools from storage

little force required to fit tools securely and detach

all actions possible one handed

Cleaning

handle/gripping area has non-slippery surface

cleaner requires light pressure in use on carpets

cleaning head stays firmly on floor under low furniture

tubing light to lift for cleaning upholstery

cleaner is stable when hose and tubing fully extended

cleaner fits securely within stair tread

cylinder cleaners only

cleaner can be pulled along by hose without detaching

hose rotates 360 degrees
to prevent kinking

upright cleaners only

handle height adjustable

no fiddly actions required to release cleaning head

cleaning head can be released by foot or hand

Using the controls

write in the control type above the boxes

c c c c	protruding control recessed controls restrict finger space
c c c c	control can be operated by hand or foot
c c c c	adjustment requires deliberate (not inadvertent) action
c c c c	shape and size provide good gripping area large area to grip, non-slippery surface
c c c c	control requires little force to operate
c c c c	setting position can be felt by touch this can be achieved by raised markings on the control and its surrounds
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

Dust container

c no fiddly actions required to gain access to container

c little force required to gain access to container

c no fiddly actions required to remove/replace container

c little force required to remove/replace container

c no fiddly actions required to empty container
reusable containers only

c all actions possible one-handed

Instructions

c paper is matt or with slight sheen
glossy paper reflects light - difficult to read from

c written in simple language, no technical terms

c clear and logical layout
main printed text in minimum 12 point size

c printed text in sans-serif typeface

c large print version available on request
minimum 14 point type throughout

c c 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

The practical principles of design for all
What can be done to raise awareness
Useful contacts

Meeting the needs of older and disabled consumers Guidelines for product design and testing (view report contents)