ShareThisBy ALLAN APPEL
Friday, November 17, 2006
There's more to a kitchen than merely cooking dinner.
For many people, the kitchen is the centerpiece of the household. So the appliances should be user-friendly to everyone, including those of us with disabilities.
The concept of universal design usually conjures thoughts of the overall layout and accessibility of the house itself. But that notion also extends to items used in that house. And it applies to anyone who uses wheelchairs or canes, as well as to those merely with weak upper-body strength. I'm not talking about fancy gadgets, but rather practical items used every day.
The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University provides guidelines to achieve maximum accessibility in the kitchen for people with disabilities:
Ovens and stoves should have front-mounted controls to avoid the need to reach over hot burners. And those burners should be part of a smooth electric cook top so as to provide for easy movement of pots and pans. Clearing the stove and cleaning up are also facilitated with that smooth cook top. Wall oven doors should open sideways, rather than vertically. And the middle shelf should be placed at the same height as the counter to allow for easier transfer of items from the oven to the counter. Clear knee space beside the built-in oven would enhance access even more.
Pantry storage should have easy-access pullout shelves or drawers, or even adjustable-height shelves, for easier access to hard-to-get items. The kitchen sink should be equipped with a single-lever faucet for easier operation.
The refrigerator should be frost-free and feature side-by-side doors. Pullout shelves would provide additional accessibility. An alternative would be a drawer-type refrigerator installed on a raised platform.
A countertop microwave oven is preferable to the wall-mounted type. It provides a landing space for hot dishes and allows for easier access for those who use a wheelchair. For the visually impaired, Braille kits are available from manufacturers. And more models feature bigger numbers or scrolling guides for easier use. Raised-number stickers can also be obtained from most office-supply stores.
Clear knee space under a sink provides for easier use by someone in a seated position. That knee space can be open or can be created by means of removable base cabinets or with fold-back doors. But don't forget pipe protection to prevent contact with hot or sharp surfaces.
With all these features and more, the kitchen can become more accessible for all of us.
(Allan Appel writes a biweekly column about disabilities. He can be reached c/o Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, 1939 S. Federal Highway, P.O. Box 9009, Stuart, FL 34994, or e-mail at aappel223(at)yahoo.com.)
