Continuing on our posts dedicated to our disabled Olympic athletes, today’s post covers kitchen design. Similar to accessible bathroom design, the three main considerations in barrier-free kitchen design are: wheelchair mobility, work space comfort, and accessibility to cabinets and storage spaces.
When planning a kitchen for a wheelchair use, make sure you know the measurements for the wheelchair. As a rule of thumb, you should provide a 5′ radius to enable a 360 turn in the space without interruption. As with bathrooms, entry doors should have a minimum 32″ opening and door should swing outward in case someone falls inside and blocks the opening.
Observe the height of the wheelchair armrest so you can customise your countertop height to accommodate this. Typically countertop height should be between 28″-34″. Counter thickness should be no more than 2″. Space for knees calls for 24″ in height and about 30″ in width.
Sinks should be shallow to allow the cook to sit or stand while working. Faucets should be a loop or single lever for easy operation. Companies like Kohler offers options for ADA compliant fixtures. Drains should be installed as close to the back as possible to keep knee space clear. Hot water pipes under sinks should be insulated to prevent burns in case of contact.
Wall ovens and microwaves should be placed approximately 31″ from the floor to allow a wheelchair user easy access. Cooktops should have staggered burners and controls should be at the top front to eliminate the need for reaching over hot elements. Dishwashers should be 6-8″ off the floor and be located in an area where it can be accessed from either side. For fridges, consider compact units that can fit under counter.
If at all possible, do not overlook the following points when designing an accessible kitchen:
- Install glare-free lighting, cabinets, and low-gloss counter laminate
- Install switches, thermostats, other types of controls no higher than 48″ off the floor
- Electrical outlets should not be any lower than 15″ off the floor
As with any other design, always consult your local building code requirements to ensure you have covered all mandatory points.
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