Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen, Wheelchiar Accessible Sink, Handicap Accessible

Accessibility within the Home

Approximately 30 million Americans use a wheelchair. The number of people who need wheelchair or handicap accessible homes will continue to increase as aging and disabled people retain the desire to remain in their own homes. With some planning and awareness, it is very possible for them to live a quality life on their terms. It is important to make a home accessible to an individual’s personal needs and to increase its overall safety.

The kitchen is one area of the home that is the most important to accommodate. The ultimate goal for this room is to create a barrier-free design so everyone can use it, whether or not they are disabled. There are several things to consider when designing a kitchen for easy access. The changes involved require specific planning because every inch counts. Appliances and cabinets come in fixed sizes and there may be limited usable space that restricts what can actually be remodeled. It is ideal to have several work areas that can be accessed from a single position. Remodeling or designing a kitchen requires balancing the requirements for cabinets, counters, and appliances, putting everything within reach.

What is a Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen?

A wheelchair accessible kitchen enables a person to enter, move around, and function independently without obstacles. It can be difficult for those in a wheelchair to use standard counters because of the cabinets below, so they can be removed to provide access to the work area or sink. A drop leaf or pull out shelf can be added for working space, sliding shelves and lazy Susan turntables can be installed in the lower cabinets. Electrical outlets and switches can be moved to the front of the cabinet or counter for easier access. A kitchen aisle width of 42 inches allows several people to work in the kitchen at the same time, along with someone in a wheelchair. A gas sensor may need to be installed near a gas stove, gas water heater, and gas furnace.

When designing an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) kitchen, ADAAG (ADA Accessible Guidelines) provides criteria for multiple components, such as clear floor space and turning room allowances for wheelchairs, mounting heights for cabinets, as well as sink and countertop clearances. There are more choices in the market now, and being accessible does not mean having to be institutionalized. Many products are stylish, innovative, efficient and functional.

What are Kitchen Counter Guidelines?

Changing the counter height will make the kitchen an easier place to work in for those in a wheelchair, along with shorter children. Setting the countertop height will dictate the location of appliances and storage cabinets. The usual height at the top of a wheelchair armrest is around 29 inches, therefore, the recommended countertop height is between 28 to 34 inches, and 32 inches is preferred. If using adjustable counters, they should have a range of 28 to 36 inches in height. The space needed for the knees requires at least a 24 inch height from the floor and about 30 inches in width. For a standard countertop depth of 24 inches, the first 16 inches is considered to be easy access for the user and the remainder can be used for storage. Another good way to create easily accessible working space is to incorporate pull out shelves that come out of the countertop, which can then be used to prepare food. To reduce the occurrence of people bumping into the counter corners, they can be rounded.

What are Kitchen Sink Guidelines?

Important, but simple, modifications are a factor in a wheelchair accessible kitchen sink. A sink can be installed that is motorized to be raised or lowered to accommodate the user. The sink basin should be shallow, only 5 to 6 ½ inches deep, in order for a person, either sitting in a wheelchair or standing, to work. The drain should be placed in the rear so the piping underneath will not prevent a person in a wheelchair from rolling under the sink. The hot water pipes need to be insulated in the open area under the sink to prevent burns. The faucet and the hose on the faucet should each be a single lever, which will allow for easier use. There are also touch control faucets that allow the user to turn it off and on with a single touch. And, to make it more accessible, the faucet can be installed to the side of the sink. For easy storage of cleaning products, sliding drawers can be installed onto both sides of the sink.

The best location for a sink is in a section of straight countertop, not at corner sections or at the edge of a U- or L-shaped section. These sections can be more challenging areas for someone in a wheelchair to maneuver around. To the right and left of the sink area, very specific base cabinets can be installed with special features that will make the area highly useful for everyone.

What are Kitchen Wall Cabinet Guidelines?

Kitchen wall cabinets can be mounted or lowered to be closer to the countertop. Lowering them from the standard 18 inches above the counter to 15 inches will make them accessible for most people for everyday use. They can include slide-out or roll-out shelves and baskets, pull-out cutting boards, and drawers with full extension glides. The cabinets can be motorized to raise and lower to accommodate everyone in the household with a touch of a button. This new technology enables upper cabinets to lower for a more reachable level. Shelving lifts can be installed to lower the shelves inside the wall cabinets to the counter level. To open cabinets easier, use looped pulls instead of knobs that are operable with a closed fist, these require no twisting, grasping or pinching motions.

What are Kitchen Appliance Guidelines?

Many kitchen appliance manufacturers offer wheelchair accessible cooktops in both electric and gas. Install a cooktop unit with staggered burners and mount the controls below the unit or on the top front to eliminate having to reach across hot burners. Cooktops can also be motorized to be raised and lowered to accommodate the person in the wheelchair and the other family members. It is best to have a cooktop separate from a wall oven so they both can be installed at a comfortable height.

A wall oven or microwave is better to be installed or lowered to 31 inches from the floor, for a wheelchair user. For a range, a slanted control panel works well with recessed control knobs that are easy to turn and hold. To make the range safer and easier for those in wheelchairs, position the knobs and control panel signal lights on the front. If possible, search out an oven with a side-hinged door or make the oven accessible from either side, so a seated cook can get closer to the opening.

Other appliance guidelines are to raise the dishwasher 6 to 8 inches off the floor and make it reachable from either side. A simple way to make standard appliances more accessible is to use an appliance lift. A bottom drawer freezer style refrigerator makes the freezer more attainable. To increase safety, tactile controls such as raised dials or buttons with directional indicators that click into position at each setting can be used. Appliances with a touch pad operation are great for those who have limited finger control and strength.

What are Doorway and Hallway Guidelines?

Installing a 36 inch wide door makes a room accessible for someone in a wheelchair or walker, but a 42 inch width is more comfortable. Doorways that are angled as 45 degrees are easier for a wheelchair to pass through. Installing swing-clear hinges on the door creates a clear door opening. Using a lever-style door handle makes it easier for them to be opened and the force required to push or pull interior doors should not exceed 5 pounds.

What are other things to consider with an Accessible Kitchen?

• Place electrical outlets not lower than 15 inches off the floor.
• Glare free lighting, cabinets, and low gloss counter laminate can increase visibility.
• Install switches and thermostats no higher than 48 inches off the floor.
• Create several work areas in the kitchen to make it easier to access them from a single position. Examples: salad counter, baking area, kid’s snack area, or a pass through between garage and pantry for groceries.
• Place lighting controls properly to eliminate navigating in the dark, at all kitchen entrances.
• Use a base cabinet on wheels to transport hot dishes from counter to table, or create a moveable workspace area.
• Clearance for a U-shaped kitchen needs to have a width of 60 inches.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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