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Kitchens

There are few stipulations related to kitchens in ADAAG. They are focused on meeting the needs of wheelchairs users to access cabinets and appliances.  Specifically, in ADAAG 9.2.2(7):

• Clear floor space for a front or parallel approach to cabinets, counters, sinks, and appliances shall be provided to comply with (forward maximum of 48” and minimum of 15” or, side reach, 54” maximum and 9” minimum).
  
• Countertops and sinks shall be mounted at a maximum height of 34" (865 mm) above the floor.
  
• At least fifty percent of shelf space in cabinets or refrigerator/freezers shall be within the reach ranges as above and space shall be designed to allow for the operation of cabinet and/or appliance doors so that all cabinets and appliances are accessible and usable.
  
• Controls and operating mechanisms shall be mounted no less than 15” above the floor.

Basic Procedures When Sharing Kitchens

There are basic procedures to follow when survivors share kitchens: ¹

• Store toxic substances in a separate location from food and drink.

• Mark dangerous items such as cleaners with Braille tape, large print & skull & crossbones.

• Establish and enforce a rule about putting sharp utensils back in the same place each time.

• Post list of rules to be followed in the kitchen. See Information Environments for strategies using text. Use a color-coded label system for where items go into storage. Mark cabinets with the color codes and have what the codes mean on a wall.

Universally-Designed Kitchens

Making kitchens more flexible and more convenient benefits everyone who uses this important room. Reducing the number of steps to do anything, making all stored food and utensils easy to reach and see, being able to work standing or sitting, minimizing risks of burns or injuries from awkward lifting or falls are reasonable goals for any kitchen and most especially for a shared kitchen. Renovating the kitchen can provide an opportunity for survivors to experience confidence and competence.

Cooking is an activity that requires a certain degree of endurance and agility. Renovating a kitchen so that people can choose to sit can make kitchen chores more manageable and less stressful for many people. Wheelchair users will need to sit but the option of sitting also helps people with balance, fatigue and stamina issues as well as a range of mobility limitations.

Countertops

• Whether the kitchen is big or small ultimately you want a mix of countertop heights ranging from 28”-48”. For the smallest kitchen, a single manually adjustable height counter solves this problem. Different heights reduce the labor of tasks such as chopping, mixing, or kneading dough which all require different varieties of vertical pressures. A mix of heights is good for different activities, but it also is ideal for accommodating people of different heights, being able to choose to sit and cook, for people who use wheelchairs, and for children.
• In lieu of changing your counter height, especially if a kitchen is very small consider pull-out working surfaces next to the sink and the oven. Sometimes a cutting board on a pull-out drawer can be used, but only if the drawer has re-inforced drawer slides.
• Kitchen designers recommend installing a slightly raised edge along countertops to make spillage of foods easier to clean up and to keep plates and utensils from sliding onto the floor. Rounded edge molding should be used and should be designed to be safe to take a person’s weight when grabbed or leaned upon.
• Long countertops with a sink on one end and stovetop on another have the advantage of allowing multiple survivors to prepare food beside each other. It also helps the survivor who has to cook a very large meal for all the residents. The survivor can carry and slide items along the countertop from or to the sink, from or to the stovetop, or between sink and stovetop. When sink and stovetop are far apart, it may be useful to install a “pot filler” near the stovetop. A pot filler is a spout that comes either from the back wall or the side of the stovetop that is expressly for filling pots right on the stovetop. If the sink and stove area close enough together, a gooseneck faucet or an extender hose (either a retractable faucet or a separate spray head) helps one to fill pots with water directly on the stove.
• Add pull-out cutting boards between counters and under-cabinets.  A round cut-out in which to stabilize a bowl is a nice amenity.

Cabinets

• Substitute a rolling cart in place of a lower cabinet that can be stowed away in its place. Use the cart for food preparation, to transfer meals or heavy items, and to assist clean-up.
• Replace small round cabinet knobs with loop handles called “pulls” for gripping with the entire hand.
• Use hinges that allow a door to open flat against the next cabinet or the wall. This increases light to the interior. It increases flexibility of grasping items with two hands, and for lower cabinets it provides kneespace when seated.
• Install low voltage lighting in cabinetsfor people with decreased vision.
• Install full-extension slides on drawers that also are reinforced for strength and durability.
• Consider a shallow movable shelf on the counter to hold heavy appliances that can be slid forward when you want to use the item without lifting it and moving it into place. This makes good use of deep counter space and it prevents heavy lifting of appliances.

Ovens and Stovetops

• Separate stovetops from the oven for maximum flexibility.  The purpose of having them separated is to prevent injuries that commonly occur when bending with heavy objects and to enable people who use wheelchairs to have greater access. A separate stovetop with open space beneath enables anyone seated to have access and knee clearance. Use the space under the stovetop as open storage, or add a retractable door. Insulation is needed so that you don’t accidentally burn knees.
• Wall ovens reduce the potential of back injury and make reaching easier on the body. Side opening doors can be easier and safer for most users. Create a heatproof shelf below or to the side for easy transfer of hot food.
• Consider installing a mirror at an angle above the stove. People at different heights or those who want to cook while seated can view the contents of cooking pans. It is a must for someone seated in a wheelchair to be able to view what is cooking.
• Look for these options:

• Easy-to-clean smooth stovetop
• Large visible displays of controls and dials
• Easy to read temperature and timer displays.
• A timer is important for people with attention or memory limitations. It should also be loud for someone with a hearing impairment.
• Signals that are both auditory and visual
• A self-cleaning oven

Sinks

• Choose a shallow sink. Deep sinks are difficult for children and people with mobility limitations. If you choose a double sink, choose one shallow side.
• Consider positioning the faucet on the side rather than on the back of the sink, especially so someone can work from a seated position.
• A single lever faucet is recommended because it doesn’t require hand dexterity.
• A retractable spray head gives you more flexibility with pots and pans. There is a warning: Children may play and floors, counters, windows and walls may be washed unexpectedly.
• If space allows, create clear space under the sink and counter. It creates kneespace when sitting and increases access for someone who uses a walker or a wheelchair. Consider retractable, removable, or swiveling doors for under sink. Drains should be located at the back to prevent burns from hot pipes. Pipe protectors are available from Truebro, Inc.

Refrigerators

• There is more flexibility today to determine the direction refrigerator doors open and the placement of the freezer component.
• Brightly lit interiors are useful for people with decreasing vision.
• A new configuration called a “French Style” refrigerator has a freezer below and split doors above. It includes much less into the floor space and allows opening just half the main compartment.

Dishwashers 

• Consider elevating the dishwasher 8” or 9”, so that people with a variety of issues related to repeated reaching, bending, and lifting can more easily access the dishes and transfer them. You can build a simple platform of plywood over 2x8s or 2x10s.

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