1. Design for Elderly and Disabled Environments:
Kitchen
Part 5 of 10
Making homes more comfortable and accessible

2. Content: Bathrooms Common barriers Remodeled kitchen Sinks Ranges
Cook tops
Ventilation hoods
Wall & microwave ovens
Refrigerators
Cabinets/storage
Flooring
Countertops
Additional changes

3. Common Barriers Kitchen sink requires users to stand.
Knob handles on cabinets and faucets limit usage.
Controls for lights and fan on hood.
Cooking appliance controls on rear of unit.
Limited floor spacing for mobility aids.

5. Common Barriers Freezer space is out of reach.
Shelves in pantry are too deep and out of reach.
Microwave in awkward location.
Wall cabinets shelves are too high.
Receptacle & switch are too high.

6. Remodeled Kitchen New receptacles & switches at accessible locations.
Rolling carts for storage space and accessibility.

7. Remodeled Kitchen In left picture see the accessible receptacle.
In the right picture see the rolling cart.

8. Sinks
When replacing existing faucet handles, use lever or asymmetrical models.
Single lever faucets are easily manipulated by an open palm or fist, and usable by most people. Models are available with a high temperature stop to prevent accidental scalding.

9. Sinks
In the left picture, see the faucet handle.

10. Sink
Consider a model with shallow basin and drain located at the rear of the bowl.
Consider adding a “tub bend” to move the pipe and trap.
Consider fabricating a removable base cabinet.
The shadow basin is easier for people with limited reach, shorter people, and seated individuals to use. The rear drain pipe allows additional knee space below the sink if needed.
A “tub bend” will also allow for knee space beneath a sink model without a rear drain.
This will allow the user the option to remove the cabinet to provide knee space for sitting at the sink or to increase wheelchair maneuvering space in the kitchen.

12. Ranges
Easy-to-use front mounted controls eliminate reaching across burners.
Self-cleaning model eliminates reaching to the rear of oven.

13. Ranges
In the left picture, see the front mounted controls.

14. Cook Tops Consider cook top models with staggered burners.
Flush tops rather than raised burners can provide convenient use.
Staggered burners eliminate reaching across one burner to use another.
Flush tops allow heavy pots and skillets to be slid instead of lifted from the burners, as well as being helpful for people with limited hand or arm strength or dexterity.

15. Cook Tops In the left picture, see the staggered burners.
In the right picture, see the flush cook top.

16. Ventilation Hoods
Controls for ventilation hood range & cook top should be easy to use & operate.
Consider installing auxiliary controls.
The hood itself should be within reach of most people. Auxiliary controls should be at a lower location at the counter back splash or fascia within reach of more people.

17. Wall & Microwave Ovens Consider installing pull-out shelves.
Movement of pans
The shelf would provide extra counter space when needed and would be convenient for use by a seated person.

18. Wall & Microwave Ovens
In both pictures, see the pull-out shelves.

19. Wall & Microwave Ovens Consider using new self cleaning wall ovens.
Consider making the base cabinet removable for added knee space.
As well as being a convenience, these models will enable people who have difficulty reaching or lack arm strength to maintain the appliance.
When sitting with knees under the counter, the individual will be able to reach further inside the oven.

20. Refrigerators
Consider replacing an old refrigerator with a side-by-side model.
Consider a model with a bottom freezer.
Consider a model with an ice and water dispenser.
Select a refrigerator with pull-out shelves & trays.
Models with the freezer at the top or bottom of the fresh food section are difficult for people with limited reaching, stooping, or bending ability. Side-by-side refrigerators usually have sufficient space reachable by all.
A model with the freezer below the fresh food space may be an option, except for those for whom bending and stooping is troublesome.
Water and Ice dispensers are handy for everyone, but especially convenient for people with limited hand dexterity who cannot use ice trays.
Pull-out shelves and trays increase use of the rear space.

21. Refrigerators
In the left picture, see the side-by-side model refrigerator.
In the right picture, see the model with a bottom freezer.

22. Cabinets/storage
Consider loop handles that do not require twisting of the wrist.
Consider using full extension drawer slides
Consider revolving or extending semicircular shelves.
Consider installing some banks of full extension drawers.
Loops should be large enough for several fingers.
The entire depth of the drawer will then be extended, enabling the user to view and reach the contents.
Semicircular shelves increase storage capacity and provide easier access for most users.
The drawers provide storage most people can reach. Drawers of different shapes and sizes should be included to store typical kitchen utensils, appliances, and food items.

24. Cabinets/storage Consider using pull-out or down shelves.
Consider placing cabinets with the bottom shelf no more than 48 inches off the ground, which is accessible for more people.
Pull-out or down shelves make it easier to reach items stored at the back.

26. Countertops Consider mounting countertops at more than one level.
An additional counter located at 32” above the floor, for example, is more comfortable for a shorter individual, child, or person who is seated.

27. Countertops
In this picture, see the varied countertop levels.

28. Countertops
Use adjustable counters that can be set for different heights.
Consider contrasting edging on countertops.
Adjustable counters can be set at the best height for household members or to accommodate the changing needs of an individual throughout the lifespan.
Contrasting edging on countertops helps people with visual impairments distinguish them from adjacent wall and cabinet surfaces.

29. Additional Changes Use hanging racks Use rolling carts
Install sliding, revolving, pull-down, and/or motorized shelves.
Use knob adapters
Hanging racks provide additional accessible storage space.
Rolling carts provide additional accessible storage space.
Sliding, revolving, pull-down, and/or motorized shelves should be installed in difficult to reach storage spaces.
Knob adapters should be on appliances with difficult to use controls.