soliciting ideas, resources and info for making a kitchen accessible

[pilgrimm]

Hi, I live in a community housing co-op in Dorchester MA where soon we will be renovating our kitchen. We would like the kitchen to be as accessible as possible to all people of varying abilities. Currently the people living there don't have any disabilities that would make it difficult for them to use your average kitchen, but we would like to make our space comfortable for people who may decide to live there in the future or even just visit. Right now we are just concentrating on the Kitchen. So, I was hopping to get some feedback from people who have found difficulty in using an average kitchen to give me some ideas for our new kitchen. If you have any information, resources, or just ideas an personal experience it would be much appreciated by me, the co-op and anybody who may visit or decide to live in our co-op in the future.

Thanks

[badgerpup]

1. Either ask somebody who uses a wheelchair...

or borrow one yourself and try to do some everyday tasks while sitting in it.
That should give you some idea of what accomodations are neccessary.
Wider doorways and flat, doorless transitions from room to room are a start...

[Traveling_Home]

2. Asking a person using a chair is best - also

http://www.dynamic-living.com/news-kitchen-appliances.htm

http://www.cs.wright.edu/bie/rehabengr/kitchens/ffloor.htm

http://www.asktooltalk.com/home/articles/construction/accessibility/kitchens.htm

lots of stuff on the web

I had the dishwasher raised two feet off the floor in the last house I owned. Gave me storage underneath and made me not have to bend over so much. Saw one that way at the local home depot and stole the idea.

I'd also suggest to talk to your local Center for Independent Living and a good contractor who might have done one before.

Good luck

[pilgrimm]

3. Hey, thanks for the feedback

very helpful!

[Ayesha]

4. Some ideas

I use a wheelchair and just finished remodeling my newly bought house for accessibility. Here are a few thoughts.

The first thing to consider is how much actual restructuring of the kitchen you are doing. For example, are you replacing all the cabinetry, or just refinishing? If you are replacing cabinets, consider installing some shorter cabinetry as well as traditional counter height, to accomodate those who cook seated as well as those who cook while standing. Another excellent option, if you aren't fully replacing cabinetry or your kitchen is too small to provide varying heights, is a pull-out food preparation space or large cutting board. (I did not do this in my kitchen, but I have a seat elevator that raises me to counter height, so it isn't an issue for me.)

Choose stoves and other appliances with controls on the front for easy access. If possible, find appliances with large, clear display screens that are easier for vision impaired and elderly people to read. Side-by-side refrigerators are best, and I adore my drawer dishwasher. If possible, a countertop stove with open space underneath, and a separate wall oven are more accessible than a stove/oven combo. Open space under the sink is also essential. I just took the doors off my sink to accomplish this, but doors that slide in or accordion doors are a nicer-looking solution.

Make sure that all drawers slide easily, and have handles that are easy to grip. Knob handles are generally not a good option. My house has old cabinetry, and I couldn't get some of the drawers open. I replaced the knobs with T-shaped pulls and now it's no problem. Choose countertops with rounded corners for safety.

Obviously, the more space you can provide for maneuvering, the better. If you are replacing floor tile, choose something that isn't slippery.

I may think of more later, but that should get you started. Thank you for caring enough to look into this and for wanting to learn how to create a more accessible living space for all!

[pilgrimm]

5. Thanks for all the ideas Ayesha

we are remodeling the whole kitchen and at this point I'm thinking that we are going to have a kitchen that should be relatively accessible to all people.