Accessible kitchens are designed such that individuals with disabilities or mobility issues can use them safely and comfortably. These individuals include wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, and individuals with strength or balance limitations. For many reasons, these individuals often have difficulty using conventional home kitchens the way they're typically designed. Fortunately, there are a number of innovative options for redesigning kitchens to make them friendlier for disabled individuals. Some of these innovations are spelled out in the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), while others go above and beyond to provide ease of use for individuals with specific disabilities.
The ADA lays out a number of specifications for how kitchens can be made more accessible to handicapped users. Its standards are detailed and explicit, prescribing layout and positioning specifications down to the inch for full compliance, but for our purposes we'll focus only on its principles.Kitchen floors should be clear of any obstructions that may impede mobility devices or present a danger to individuals at risk of falling.
Front-operated appliances (such as ovens, ranges, refrigerators, or dishwashers) must have adequate space around them to allow a disabled individual to access them from the side.
Countertops and work surfaces should be at an adequate height to allow for ease of use, and, if accommodating wheelchair users, should have open space below them with no sharp or abrasive encumbrances.
The ADA's requirements go into far deeper detail than what we've summarized here. For more information, visit the ADA Compliance Directory.When we designing kitchen cabinets for accessibility, we try have a deep understanding of the client’s needs is imperative. With all the advances in accessible design, a beautiful and efficient kitchen can be designed to be ergonomic for everyone that lives in a home whether or not they are disabled. Easy access is key for ADA compliant kitchens, which leads to the requirements.
Designing the safest and most accessible kitchen will ultimately come down to the needs of the user. ADA guidelines are a good start, but the best design takes into account the specific needs of its user(s). For that reason, a good, accessible kitchen will be not only spacious and comfortable, but versatile as well.