Meeting the needs of older and disabled consumers
Guidelines for product design and testing
(view report contents)
Types
The checklist can be used with front loading and top loading washing machines.
With front loaders, access to the washing drum is via a door on the front of the machine that opens to left or right, depending on model. Some machines have a handle on the door for manual opening, others have a push button - the door springs open when the button is pressed. Operating controls are generally in a panel across the front of the machine, above the door. Front loading machines can be placed and used below a work surface. Washing powder, fabric conditioner and so on can be inserted in a drawer that pulls out, also from the front of the machine.
Since alternative forms of detergent, such as tablets, are available for placing with the laundry in the washing drum, use of the dispenser drawer can be avoided.
Top loader machines have a double door system. The main door is a lift-up lid on top of the machine. This gives access to the washing drum which has to be unlatched and opened to put the laundry in. Top loaders cannot be used below a work surface. The position of the operating controls varies between models - either along the front or top of the machine. The position of detergent compartments also varies but are accessed below the lift-up lid.
Opening and closing the door(s)
*opening button has non-slippery surface
*opening button requires little force to operate
*door handle
provides good gripping area
plenty of space for fingers, non-slippery
surface
*door handle requires little force to operate
*inner door
catch requires little force to operate
top loaders only
*no fiddly
actions required to deal with inner doors
top loaders only
*closing the door(s) requires little force
*all door actions possible one-handed
Loading and unloading the laundry
*wheels
or castors for moving the machine
top loaders only
*access to drum requires no bending down or stretching
*large aperture for easy loading and unloading
*door opens
very wide
side opening doors that open flat back
against
the machine front are ideal for easy loading
*dome behind door does not obstruct loading
*loading and unloading possible one-handed
Using the dispenser
*plenty of space for fingers to pull out the drawer
*little force required to access the compartments
*large compartments
for easy filling
fiddly compartments are particularly
difficult for
people with tremor
*little force required to remove dispenser for cleaning
*no fiddly actions required to remove dispenser
*little force required to replace dispenser
*no fiddly actions required to replace dispenser
*all actions possible one-handed
Main programme control
*shape and
size provide good gripping area
plenty of space for fingers, non-slippery
surface
*control
requires single action to operate
dual action eg push and twist need continued
pressure and twisting of wrist
*control requires little force to operate
*control clicks into each setting
*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
Secondary controls - dials and buttons
*protruding
control
recessed controls restrict finger space
*shape and
size provide good gripping area
plenty of space for fingers, non-slippery
surface
*control requires little force to operate
*control clicks into each setting
*setting position can be felt by touch
*all labelling and markings strongly colour contrasted against their background
*all labelling and markings large for easy viewing
Programme guide
*all labelling and markings strongly colour contrasted against their background
*all labelling and markings large for easy viewing
*sufficient information to set appropriate programmes
Cleaning the filter
*position does not require excessive bending down
*little force required to remove filter for cleaning
*no fiddly actions required to remove filter
*little force required to replace filter
*no fiddly actions required to replace filter
*no sharp edges when dealing with the filter
*all actions possible 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
