Accessibility Review of LG WM4500 Washing Machine

For 2021 Global Accessibility Awareness Day Lucy shares her first "Know Before You Buy" review of her LG Washing Machine focusing on accessibility and improvements made by LG in response to the "Know Before You Buy" teaser video.
This is not a paid advertisement. LG has not provided me any form of compensation for this video. As a result of the initial Know Before You Buy video have sought my input and worked with me to improve the application and braille templates.

[@marcmelendez1396]

I currently have a Samsung washer, but with this video I just watched listen to, I think I may have found my independence to doing laundry as a totally blind person. I’m going to go to my local appliance store and test a few of them out to see which one will be the right one. I really give praise to LG for coming out with this innovative solutions. I just hope other washing machine manufacturers would just do the same. Especially Samsung, or GE. LG really meets the national Federation of the blind accessibility needs. Being able to live independently as a blind person is crucial. I just can’t thank LG enough. Being able to have your phone become a talking washing machine companion. This is definitely a game changing for us as blind and visually impaired people. Let’s go LG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@andylane7142]

Just about to order an LG washing machine because of LG’s efforts making their app accessible and working with you. I wanted a Bosch but they were £1000 LG had equal features for £600. Very happy to know LG have made their products accessible. Thanks.

[@scoldingice425]

Great video, very informative. Thank you for your hard work! Thank you LG for actually listening!

[@sarawaggle]

This is wonderful!! Great advocacy from you & great response from LG!!

[@youtubewatchin8869]

Thank you again so much. Its videos like these which improve lives and make things easier. The Audio feedback from the app to let you know everything is set right is perfect!

[@basilbcf]

I just purchased this washer/ dryer (still waiting for delivery). Hearing how LG worked with you on accessibility makes me feel good about LG. Great video

[@seannardella2639]

great video, and important advocacy Lucy. this was really helpful even as a sighted person, and very revealing of things that I take for granted. Please keep doing these.

[@jhuang2429]

This is actually the best KZbin video on this lg model. Thanks!

[@austinhertell4979]

Thank you for taking the time to share your expertise with the world!

[@phongmyhy6346]

Hi Lucy, this video is so fantastic and thank you for advocating with LG. I work with the CNIB and your brother Lui had forwarded me your wonderful video. Would you be able to provide information on how you were able to obtain the braille overlays for the washer? I know in the video you mentioned that LG had worked with a braille agency but when I had called LG, they had let me know that there wasn't an accessibility department and they don't do such a thing. :)

[@accessaces]

I will make sure the people I'm talking with know that you got the answer nothing like that exists :-)

[@carolinetoews7274]

I've watched the video and looked through the comments, so have very little to add. But, thanks so much for also showing a bit with the Android app, because that was a question that I'd had. I'm researching accessible machines at the moment, and this is probably the most current thing I've come across so far. Your focus was on the washing machine, but does this accessibility also apply to the dryer? And, since it seems that people are having so much trouble obtaining the braille, would it be possible to place a bump dot by the button that needs to be pressed to turn on the remote control access and then still adjust all those touch panel settings? From your demo, I suspect it would be possible, but just want to be sure. Thanks so much for this at the perfect time!

[@accessaces]

The dryer also supports the same activity. And yes, you could put a bump. But what I would actually recommend is that you use tracer tape around the sides of the button so that you're able to find the edge and then move your finger into the center of it and hold it in. I would also possibly put tracer tape around all of the buttons. We used a very, very thin marking tape around every single button and brought it out a little bit past the edge of the button so I could run my finger along it

[@lynnbromley6652]

Great video! Thank you. I would love to know if the Braille overlays are available for my new LG washer and dryer also.

[@reinhardstebner6299]

Do you know if any other LG washers have the same feature of hooking, connecting to an app to be make the washer accessible like this? This is absolutely wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

[@accessaces]

Yes any of their Wi-Fi models that work with the LG think app will do this

[@roxannanagales2226]

I want to get the washer and dryer set wm 4500. Me and me and my husband are both blind and the braille overlay would be great Can you please share where and how we can get the braille overlay. Thanks so much.

[@accessaces]

You've hit my biggest frustration with this whole project is how do I get you those Braille overlays I have told LG over and over again they need to fix the process for getting them but they have not come up with solution yet just keep harassing them :-)

[@chaoslu]

great work keep up the effort

[@ilovemyservicedog8862]

How in the world do I contact LG to get this I’ve tried, and I couldn’t even get through to their customer service

[@accessaces]

I am so sorry. I really wish I knew I'm very frustrated myself in this area. I think I will publish a response video to this topic. Hoping that getting this out in the open again will help them understand that nobody can find the content

[@jeromedavis8575]

I'd like to see a load of clothes on the default normal cycle with laundry detergent and fabric softener in the designated auto dispensers.

[@richardwatson8339]

I have spoken via facebook to lg and they do not know where to get the labels. My machine (washer and dryer) will be arriving tomorrow. I know that it is possible to label myself but would really like the lg templates. Thank you for any and all help.

[@accessaces]

i will do my best to try and find some for you be sure that when they deliver them they attach them to the wi-fi for you

[@richardwatson8339]

@@accessaces Thank you so much. I'll have them connect to wifi. I have already installed the app. How usable will it be without the labels?

[@accessaces]

you'll definitely know what the cycle is whenever you change the dial the only thing is as you won't be able to modify any of the controls on the flat panel until you actually have a guide for where the buttons are