How brands measure up in our accessibility check

Home appliances are getting smarter. Ovens connect to apps. Washing machines have digital control panels. Microwaves come with sleek touchscreens.

But for many people who are blind or have low vision, these innovations are creating new barriers in the home.

A Vision Australia survey of 627 people across Australia and New Zealand found that modern appliances are often harder to use than the models they replace.

More than half of respondents (52%) said newer appliances are less accessible than older ones, while only 19% said accessibility had improved.

The reason is simple. Many appliances are designed primarily for visual interaction and sleek, touch-first interfaces.

When design locks people out

People who took part in the survey identified several common features that make appliances difficult, or sometimes impossible, to use independently.

The most frequently reported barriers included:

• Flat, unlabelled buttons or dials (82%)
• Inaccessible manuals or setup guides (70%)
• Touchscreen interfaces without tactile or voice alternatives (67%)
• Complex mobile apps (65%)
• Lack of audible indicators (63%)

These design choices may look modern, but they can make everyday tasks like cooking, doing laundry, or adjusting heating much harder for people who are blind or have low vision. In some cases, they can also create safety risks.

The impact goes beyond inconvenience.

One in five respondents said they are unable to operate some newer appliances independently, and more than half reported that advances in appliance technology have made their lives more difficult.

The hidden cost of inaccessible design

Many people who are blind or have low vision have found ways to adapt, even though accessible design should make these workarounds unnecessary. 

Common workarounds include:

• Adding tactile bump markers to buttons,
• Applying braille labels,
• Creating high-contrast markings,  
• Memorising control layouts, and
• Relying on voice assistants or apps.

These solutions help, but they also take time, effort, and often extra cost.

More than 40% of respondents said they had to pay more for appliances with accessible features, while others reported buying additional devices or replacing appliances sooner than expected.

Accessible design is often surprisingly simple

For manufacturers, this represents a significant opportunity.

Australia has more than 453,000 people who are blind or have low vision, and many other older Australians experience declining vision as they age. Appliances that are easier to see, hear, and operate don’t just benefit people with disability, they often work better for everyone.

Accessible design can improve usability, safety, and customer satisfaction while helping brands stand out in a competitive market.  

The survey makes one thing clear: small, thoughtful design choices can transform daily life and create real opportunities for brands to lead the way. It also revealed something encouraging: the features that improve accessibility are often simple.

Survey takers consistently highlighted design elements that make appliances easier to use, including:

• Tactile buttons or knobs,
• Audible feedback or voice guidance,
• High-contrast displays, and
• Compatibility with screen readers or voice assistants.

Small design choices can make a huge difference to someone’s independence and safety.

Yet accessible appliances remain difficult to identify. 

A new way to measure accessibility

To help address this gap, Vision Australia is developing an appliance accessibility report card. This will evaluate how well manufacturers incorporate accessibility into their appliance designs, highlighting brands that are leading the way, and where improvements are needed.

The goal is to encourage accessibility to be considered from the very beginning of product design, not added later as an afterthought.

Because when everyday appliances are accessible, they don’t just work better for people who are blind or have low vision.

They work better for everyone.