How to Design a Handicapped Kitchen
- 1). Determine the exact needs of the person who will be using the kitchen. Every person is different, and you need to make sure that the kitchen is tailored to the person's specific needs.
- 2). Use a ramp with a gentle incline for all entryways if there is a height difference between the kitchen and surrounding rooms.
- 3). Make sure that the entryways are wide enough to comfortably accommodate the passage of a wheelchair.
- 4). Use a lever-style door handle if an actual door is to be used. Accessibility Professionals recommends that the amount of force necessary to open or close the door not exceed five pounds.
- 5). Ensure that there is plenty of open floor space. Turning a wheelchair requires more room than a standing person would need.
- 6). Mount all appliances at a height where they are fully accessible from a wheelchair.
- 7). Use counters that are not too high to be accessible from the wheelchair, and have enough open space beneath them for the user's knees. This is also true when it comes to the installation of the sink.
- 8). Insulate the hot water pipes beneath the sink to ensure that the user is not burned when using it.
- 9). Install cabinets and shelves at a low level where they can easily be reached. Alternatively, you can use adjustable shelving that can be lowered to a reachable level when necessary.
- 10
Install all electrical outlets, light switches, thermostats, and other controls no lower than 15 inches above the floor.
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