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General |
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Use solid surface material for countertops (easy cleaning.)
Round corners on all countertops, especially for visually impaired
persons.
Use contrasting colors on counter edges to increase visibility for
those with visual impairments.
Install drawer organizers.
Ensure fire extinguisher is in easy reach of oven and range, and
is useable by persons with impaired mobility and dexterity.
A mirror suspended above the cooking area allows vision into pots
for a seated person.
Include pull-out shelving or readily accessible counter space near
ovens and microwave to allow for sliding transfer of hot items. |
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Layout |
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When designing a kitchen for use by persons with mobility
impairments, especially those who use wheelchairs, careful layout of the
kitchen is crucial to maintaining accessibility. People who
are mobility impaired may:
Have walking and standing limitations which require them
to sit while working.
Use a mobility aid such as crutches, canes, or walkers
Use a wheelchair.
One of the key issues to consider when designing for persons
with mobility impairments is adequate space to maneuver a mobility aid
such as a wheelchair or walker. |
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Maneuvering Space |
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Space to maneuver close to cabinets, appliances
and work areas must be provided. Each feature must have at least 2'-6"
by 4' of clear floor space, arranged for either parallel or perpendicular
approach by a wheelchair. Clear floor space may extend under the counters
and into knee space areas up to 19" knee space. Adequate knee space under
counter surfaces is important for people who need to sit while performing
kitchen tasks. The space should allow them to pull up under counter for
work areas, sinks, and cook tops. Knee room should be provided beside appliances
such as complete ranges, ovens, and dishwashers. Knee spaces should be
at least 30" wide, 27" high, and 19" deep. A width of at least 36" is preferred,
as this provides additional turning space, especially important in small
kitchens. |
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Turnaround Space |
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A space large enough for a person to turn
around 180 degrees should be provided in the kitchen. If the kitchen is
very small, the space can be provided immediately adjacent to the kitchen.
Sufficient space for a complete, pivoting turn can be provided with a 5'
clear diameter floor area. This allows a full turning radius of 360 degrees.
The best location for the turning space is away from appliance areas, and
between walls or cabinets only. A T-shaped turning space allows a three
point turn to be accomplished. By making one of the necessary kitchen knee
spaces 3' wide, or wider, one leg of the "T" can be accomplished within
the knee space. This arrangement can solve maneuvering problems in very
small kitchens. |
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Storage |
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Storage Space is a particularly troublesome issue for people with
limited mobility. For many, a significant portion of conventional kitchen
storage space is out of reach. In addition, available base cabinet space
is reduced when making a kitchen accessible to people who use wheelchairs.
By selecting more efficient and accessible storage options, much of this
space can be recovered. |
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Height |
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Maximum wall cabinet reach from floor:
| Situation |
Standing / Walking unassisted |
Walking with
assistance |
Sitting |
| Over a counter |
68 in |
63 in |
60 in |
| Without a counter |
77 in |
68 in |
48 in |
| Maximum vision for items on a high shelf |
61 in |
61 in |
48 in |
Maximum height of storage
for daily use |
74 in |
65 in |
45 in |
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Carts |
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Rolling carts which fit into knee space under countertops can provide
additional storage.
Can be easily rolled out to provide knee space.
Cart tops can provide additional work space.
Carts provide a safe way to transport food and utensils.
Carts used for work surface, especially by a handicapped person,
should be lockable to prevent movement when in use. |
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Knee Space |
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Retractable doors can be used to conceal knee space. Special hardware
allows the door to be pushed back under counter after opening. This space
can also be used for cart storage. |
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Features |
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All drawers, doors, and hardware should be selected to provide easy
access for people with limited dexterity. Recommended features include:
Sliding or folding doors for cabinets provide for the least interference.
Magnetic catches on the doors.
Large loop handles on doors and drawers.
Toe space on base cabinets should be at least 9" high, and 6" deep
to allow wheelchair users to maneuver closer to the counters. |
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Countertops |
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Standard kitchen counters are 36" high. This is adequate for standing
people, but too high for people who are seated. Counter heights of 30",
32", and 34" are more comfortable for a seated person to use for food preparation.
This disparity will obviously make the design of a kitchen for use by standing
and seated people difficult. For work such as mixing or beating, a 27"
height is desirable.
NOTE: The average height for a wheelchair armrest is 29". Adequate
knee space requires at least 24". |
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Uniform Height Counters |
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A uniform lowered height is not a recommended solution for a number
of reasons:
Inconvenience for standing users.
Appliances such as dishwashers, trash compactors, and ranges are
designed for 36" counter heights.
Lowered counters may make resale of the house difficult without
restoring counters to the standard height. |
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Dual Height Counter |
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A dual height kitchen includes lowered counter segments to provide
work areas for seated people. Each lowered segment must have clear knee
space below. Clear vertical space of 30" at the front of the counter will
provide enough clearance for most wheelchairs. Motor driven adjustable
height counter segments, which allow their height to be adjusted at the
press of a switch, provide a uniquely flexible, highly accessible solution. |
