Hi, David;
That’s a magnificent break-through. I wonder if such a device will become
available to all blind and other persons with disabilities soon. Perhaps the
inventers can market their device on Amazon or sites geared toward us blind
folks. How nice it would be to learn what mistake I made operating my smart
washer and dryer, then be able to correct it with the right button. Take care.
Lillian
From: blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-philly-comp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Goldfield
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2017 3:58 PM
To: Philadelphia Computer Users Group for the Blind and Visually Impaired
<blind-philly-comp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [blind-philly-comp] Article: From WLKY in Louisville; Teen designs
talking washing machine for the visually impaired
Teen designs talking washing machine for the visually impaired
WLKY
Updated: 6:09 PM EDT Jul 14, 2017
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
As computer technology has made appliances like washers and dryers smarter, in
some cases, it's actually made it more difficult for the visually impaired with
smaller wording and fewer knobs appearing on many machines.
But thanks to a ninth-grader and his father, they've made an application that
is fixing this dilemma.
"Before we had older ones that had dots, where the kids could line it up and
use the clock method (to tell) if this is colors or whatnot," said Katie
Adkins, a house parent at the Kentucky School for the Blind.
However, the braille dots would wear down over time, and students had to rely
on memory instead.
There was a breakthrough with a talking washing machine.
Surprisingly it was not a common application for washers and driers. Even more
surprising are the hands that created the software.
"This is easier, because it speaks to them," Adkins said. "It will tell them
every single setting and give them a lot more information that they didn't
necessarily have before."
Creator Jack Duplessis heard about the need from a family friend who is
visually impaired.
"A visually impaired person asked us, 'Wouldn't it be great if this knob on the
washer and dryer had a home position so you knew where you were,'" Jack said.
"It'd beep when you got to a certain position so you'd know where you were."
After only a weekend of researching the idea, Jack surpassed the homing device
and developed software that spoke.
"It's a little computer, and he quickly programmed it to communicate with our
washers and driers, first in a synthesized voice, (but) later he had it do a
recorded voice," Jack's father, Sam Duplessis, said.
Jack's father helps manage Build First, a community of investors backed by
General Electric, that allows creative minds to use a free workspace to create
unique products for appliances.
When he gave Jack the opportunity to use the space, he and GE took notice. The
device is now in limited production throughout the U.S., including at the
School for the Blind.
"It feels pretty amazing that we made something usable and the helps them" Jack
said.
The device has also been programmed to speak several different languages.
During testing, GE also discovered there was a market for the device for senior
citizens who are losing their sight.
WLKY Louisvill
--
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info <http://WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info>
You are invited to visit the moderator's Web site at WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info
<http://WWW.DavidGoldfield.Info> for additional resources and information
about assistive technology training services. To unsubscribe from this list,
please email blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> with the word unsubscribe in
the subject line. To subscribe from another email address, send email to
blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:blind-philly-comp-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> with the word subscribe in
the subject line. To contact the list administrator, please email
blind-philly-comp-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:blind-philly-comp-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
