Kitchens aren't for food only; they are places where families and guests come together. As often happens, few kitchens are designed to be easily used by a person with a disability. Thus, several such individuals have significant problems using a kitchen. In this valuable guide, we will touch on how crucial it is to make the kitchen more accessible and give tips and hacks on achieving that.
Accessibility of a Kitchen
Accessibility means that people with disabilities can cook by themselves, obtain independence and autonomy, and be included in society. They can then cook their meals and enjoy other basic motor skills without anyone’s help. This article brings the idea of how it is possible to make a kitchen accessible and, therefore, create the best home for everyone in your home.
Design and organisation of a universal kitchen
Now we’ll discuss what factors should be considered when creating an accessible kitchen. Here are some of the most essential elements to keep in mind:
1. Clear pathways
Check how expansive the kitchen is and whether a wheelchair has enough room to navigate. One must be at least 32 inches wide so a wheelchair can pass through it quickly. Also, there should be enough clearance space between appliances and cabinetry to facilitate easy access to those appliances. The countertop should have at least 60 inches of open space from the cabinets.
2. Countertop height
Many standard heights of counters in the kitchen are not enabled for disability for them to be used conveniently. One idea is intermediate tables, which can easily be adjusted to reach a wheelchair user and at the same time also be raised for a standing person. For accessible counters, the height range should be 34 to 36 inches.
3. Sink height
In the same way with lavatories, a standard sink can also pose a problem for persons in wheelchairs. A sink fitted at a good height of around 29 inches is suitable for performing activities requiring water, such as washing your plate or filling up a pot.
4. Accessible appliances
Choose appliances with controls similar to those available to the elderly or others with arthritis or bad fingertips. It has been established that some appliances should be avoided in kitchens; the appliances with knobs are recommended for use since they are safer than pushbuttons, appliances with sizeable digital display units, and those with controls that can be operated with one hand.
5. Adequate lighting
Some people in the kitchen to prepare food or even wash dishes may have vision problems, so make sure there is enough light in the kitchen to assist the vision-impaired person under cabinet lighting, pendant lights, and a combination of task and ambient lighting. You can also install light switches with Braille for the blind, though slightly raised, to enhance ease of seeing their labels.
6. Contrasting colors
Contrasting colors on countertops, cabinets, and flooring can help separate countertops and edges for those with low vision. For instance, put the dark-marble countertop with light cabinets or a contrasting border around the floor covering material.
7. Grab bars
Grab bars should be fixed where people may need something to hold them up as they work, such as near the sink and stove. Make sure they are holding nice and firm on the wall and easy to grab.
8. Storage solutions
Rolling shelves, roller tries, beautifully designed adjustable height storage areas allow elderly people and those with some limitations in the mobility to reach the specific storage areas. Additional plans include lower cabinets to fit near the wheelchair user’s reach, for storage and other purposes.
9. Seating
Incorporate products with ergonomically friendly construction into a kitchen design like a comfortable armrest stool or a high table. This provides the means for people who can't move to cook, or simply to eat with their family.
10. Safety features
Use slip-resistant flooring, place rails on handrails or other navigating areas and fix anti-tip brackets on some appliances. Whenever possible, use oven and stove guards to avoid a fire accident and should consider appliances with features that shut off on their own.
Ideas in How to Make Existing Kitchen More Accessible
If you already have a kitchen but want to make it more accessible, consider these modifications:
1. Remove clutter
Declutter the kitchen worktops and other flat appliances that can be used by all the occupants of the house to make your kitchen accessible to everyone. This ranges from taking such items which when placed on the hallway create a tripping hazard to those which block ways.
2. Put in grab bars and hand rails
It can be done quickly by installation of grab bars or handrails by the sink, beside the stove or close to the refrigerator.
3. Install lever-style faucets
Such a design presents better prospects for users who have less mobility in their hands when it comes to using a push button on the faucet handles.
4. Use easy-to-grip handles
Amend or replace doors knobs and handles on cabinets and appliances with those that are big enough but are easy to twist or pull if one has arthritis.
5. Install pull-out shelves
To make them retrieve stored articles easier most of the cabinets have pull out shelves for use by seniors with reduced mobility.
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