The accessible kitchen

by Leon A. Frechette

The challenge of living at home using a wheelchair or walker is faced every day by an estimated 30 million Americans. This number is rapidly increasing due to the growing number of disabled people choosing to be self-sufficient and the aging of the "baby boom" generation. According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), one in four Americans will be age 65 or older by the year 2040.

Barrier-Free Design

Barrier-free design can make life easier, more convenient, and more pleasant for those who are aging or disabled. Whether it's a child in a wheelchair because of multiple sclerosis or an older adult with arthritic joints, the disabled have a variety of special needs that can be met by barrier-free design and construction.

Contractors who are knowledgeable and prepared to market barrier-free design and construction services will find growing opportunities in both commercial and residential markets. I encourage you to keep abreast of barrier-free issues, designs, regulations, trends, products—and the needs and wants of your customers.

A good starting point is a clear understanding of "barrier-free design." Basically, "barrier-free design" means "an architecture which does not inhibit access or use by all people, disabled or nondisabled." In other words, there are no obstacles to restrict freedom of movement throughout the home.

Resources

Products that conform to your customers' needs will play an important role in your kitchen design. It's important to stay on top of barrier-free kitchen products—keep your personal library up to date and visit supply houses and home shows to learn about the newest and latest products.

Begin with your local building department for regulations your state or municipality may have adopted for residential and commercial barrier-free facilities in both remodeling and new construction.

The Internet offers a wealth of information, much of it free, on the ADA and accessibility issues. I encourage you to check out the sites mentioned here and to spend time researching information about the ADA and about products and appliances you can use to help your customers.

The Americans with Disabilities Act Handbook from the U.S. Department of Justice is an excellent resource. Now out of print, it is still available through various sources on the Internet.

One excellent resource is the ADA Home Page (www.ada.gov) which offers information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act. They offer a variety of publications, but check out the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, available as a .pdf file.

There is no better way to learn more about accessibility than through the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). In fact, some of the information contained in this article is from the Kitchen Industry Technical Manuals published by the NKBA. The NKBA promotes professionalism, helps to establish good ethical business practices, and provides leadership and direction for the kitchen and bathroom industry. Certification by the NKBA as a kitchen and bathroom designer (CKD/CBD) will put you a step ahead of the competition, and this certification can only build confidence in your knowledge and skills. In addition, you can enjoy financial rewards by increasing the fees for your professional services. For information on NKBA membership, contact NKBA at 800-843-6522 or go online at www.nkba.org.

To learn more about products that will meet ADA requirements, check out the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) website at www.nahb.org. They offer a variety of publications for sale to nonmembers, and a number of publications available exclusively to NAHB members.

Another good source for ADA information is the NAHB National Research Center (www.nahbrc.org).

Accessible Environments, a large supplier of accessibility products and equipment, has years of experience in creating barrier-free environments in the home and workplace. Check out their website at www.accessibleenvironments.net.

While researching this article, I discovered the ProMatura Group, a division of the Institute For Technology Development. Two of its key staff members, Margaret Wylde, Ph.D., President, ProMatura Group, and Adrian Baron-Robbins, Chief Architect, along with Sam Clark, a designer/builder, authored Building For A Lifetime, The Design and Construction of Fully Accessible Homes (The Taunton Press, ISBN #1-56158-036-8, 1994).

This book is about building houses to meet the needs of people throughout their lives. As the Introduction says, "Building for a lifetime means designing and constructing living environments that conform with the needs and abilities of the occupants at any age." This book is a complete guide to building living environments, both interior and exterior spaces, for people of different abilities. It features a great chapter on kitchens that is well worth reading. This excellent resource is now out of print, but you may be able to locate a copy at your library or through an Internet search.

Making Kitchens Accessible

Kitchens have three special considerations in barrier-free design: wheelchair mobility, work space comfort, and accessibility to cabinets and storage spaces

When planning a kitchen for a wheelchair user, be sure you know the wheelchair's measurements. Of special importance is the front-to-back measurement—including footrests—because this measurement determines the turning radius your customer will need. The turning radius is normally 60" (25 square feet) for a full 360° turn. Other measurements that are important to know include:

• Entry doors should have a 32" net opening measured from the doorstop to the door's face when the door is in a 90° open position. The installation of "swing clear" hinges will create a completely clear door opening and may save you from completely replacing the door and door frame. Use a lever-style door handle and remember that the force required to push or pull interior doors open cannot exceed five pounds.
• The usual height at the top of a wheelchair armrest is approximately 29". This measurement is important so you can customize countertop height. The recommended countertop height is a minimum of 28" and should be no higher than 34" (32" is preferred). The counter thickness and supporting structure must be 2" maximum over the required clear space (opening).
• For a 24" standard countertop depth, the first 16" is considered to be easy access for the user—the remainder is useful for storage.
• Breadboards are functional when installed 27" off the floor.
• Space for knees requires at least a 24" height from the floor and approximately 30" in width.

In the clean-up area, the sink should be shallow, only 5" to 6 1/2" deep. Consider ASSURE, an oversized (36" x 25-1/2") ADA-compliant kitchen sink from Kohler Co. (www.kohler.com) that allows the cook to sit or stand while working. ASSURE features a large, comfortably deep work basin and a small disposal/prep basin in a modified apron-front design. The optional polyethylene cutting board and colander increase the sink's versatility.

The faucet should be a loop or single lever for easy operation. One faucet worth investigating is "Coralais" by Kohler, a faucet with an integral pull-out spray head. The single-handle model comes with a standard 9 1/2" spout and a push button control on the head for easy one-touch switching from stream to spray.

Locate the sink's drain at the rear, especially if a garbage disposal is used, to keep the knee space clear. Insulate the hot water pipes in the open area under the sink to prevent burns.

Appliances

As you work with appliances, consider your customer's specific needs. For a wheelchair user, you would want to lower or install the wall oven and microwave so they are approximately 31" from the floor. Install an electric cooktop unit with staggered burners and mount the controls on the top front or below the unit to eliminate reaching across hot burners.

For a range, look for a slanted control panel with recessed control knobs that are easy to hold and to turn. Front positioning of knobs and control panel signal lights will make the range easier and safer for those in wheelchairs. If possible, make the oven accessible from either side or search out an oven with a side-hinged door.

Raise the dishwasher 6" to 8" off the floor and locate the unit so it is accessible from either side.

Consider installing a compact range-sink-refrigerator unit (mini-kitchen) with an undercounter refrigerator. Dwyer Products Corporation (www.dwyerkitchens.com) offers a selection of accessible compact kitchen designs, allowing total flexibility. Numerous modifications and options are available, allowing builders and remodelers the flexibility to design a kitchen to meet individual needs. Dwyer's units can be integrated into any decor, commercial, or institutional application.

Other Considerations

When designing an accessible kitchen, don't overlook the following:

• Install glare-free lighting, cabinets, and low-gloss counter laminate.
• Lower or install switches, thermostats, and rheostats no higher than 48" off the floor.
• Place electrical outlets no lower than 15" off the floor.
• Mount or lower wall cabinets closer to the countertop and include pull-out cutting boards, slide-out or roll-out shelves and baskets, and drawers with full extension glides. For example, KraftMaid Cabinetry, Inc. (www.kraftmaid.com), produces a pull-out base mini-pantry cabinet that is accessible from both sides.

Regardless of what you read, be sure to work with your local building department for state and local code requirements. Remember, also, that the kitchens you design have to be comfortable to your customers, so include them every step of the way.

For more information on products mentioned in this article or for other related material, contact the following:

Copyright © 1994, 1998, & 2006 LAF/C.R.S., Inc. All rights reserved. The previous article,
in whole or in part, appeared in the December 1994 issue of Building & Remodeling News.

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