I go old school so I have nobs and stuff to remember where to turn things and what to press. But as far as modern day stuff. Molly Burke posted some recent videos on accessible appliances. She's not everyone's cup of tea but the links in the videos could be helpful at least.

We have a front-loading washer and dryer set by LG, the 3700 models from 2020. The LG Thinq app is fairly accessible and I can use it without much issue, the only thing is that you'll need Be My Eyes or sighted assistance to put a bump dot on the touchscreen button that turns on the Remote mode. You have to turn that on each time you want to control a cycle with the app. I just load the laundry in, close the door, turn it on, and quickly find the bump dot and hold down on it for 3 seconds, then the washer or dryer makes a single beep indicating that remote mode is on, then I can control the cycle settings and start the machines from the app. Additionally, after some back and forth with LG, if you just have the app open with your machines loaded into it, you can turn the knob on the machine and the app will use VoiceOver in iOS to speak what you have selected. It's a little slow, but it works if you are just aiming to run a preset cycle without doing the whole remote thing. So same deal, I load the laundry, turn on the machine and open the LG Thinq app, double-tap on my washer in the app to open the washer screen, then I turn the knob on the washer and listen for the cycle to be spoken from the app. Once I get to the cycle I want, I then hit the tactile start button and off it goes.

The newer models should also be able to sync up with smart speakers like Google Home, so they can then be turned on and run all through vocal command.

Good topic. A while back I asked about cooking tips for the blind and somebody told me, it’s basically the same as cooking if you are sighted. This is exactly why that is not the case, not at all.

For example, the range that my wife and I have has physical dials for the four gas burners on the top, but the interface for controlling the oven, timer and other functions is entirely digital. There are some membrane buttons that you can’t even feel by touch because they are flush with the panel itself. Sure, tactile dots could be placed on those buttons but that still gives you no feedback about values you are adjusting on the screen.

Being able to cook one’s own meals seems like a basic need of being an adult so I am astounded at the flagrant lack of accessibility of these appliances. Frankly, it shouldn’t be allowed

I remember seeing some accessible versions of appliances on GE's official site under their $1.

Additionally, it might be worth reaching out to their customer support to see if there are any additional options for labeling, audible cues, and other such features that might be helpful based on your particular needs.

We have newer whirlpool appliances with knobs but they beat for every different mode so I guess that’s more accessible. It has a different beep for all the modes and on and off and extra rinse and everything like that so you just gotta learn the beeps. I do not know anything about the app based models.

I’m curious too. I use bump dots for now.

Honestly, I’d avoid the bigger appliances that rely on an app. Forget the fact that you’re always a bad update from breaking something in accessibility, but if I’m buying a washer or dryer or whatever, I expect to get at least 10 or 12 years out of it. What company is going to support apps for machines that old before they start nudging you to get the newest model? This is what Instant Pot did when they abandoned the app for the bluetooth model leaving all of us blind and sighted folks assed out. Their answer? Upgrade to the WiFi model. What a bunch of garbage. They eventually gave in and released an update for the bluetooth model as I’m sure lots of folks were complaining, but that was after only maybe 4 years. Like I’m ever going to buy one of their items again and that was just like a $140 item I’d be super pissed if it were a major appliance.