Tom

Kitchen

1. Side by side refrigerator is more accessible to w/c users. Ice dispensers are especially helpful for those who cannot use ice trays. Pull out refrigerator shelves are beneficial to persons with limited reach. Frost free refrigerators are easiest to maintain.
2. Pull down shelves inside of high wall cabinets increases usable storage space. A long handled reacher with a built up handle could be used to pull the shelves down while seated in w/c.
3. Knee space can be accommodated under sinks with recessed piping and/or removable cabinets.
4. Dishwashers require approach space to load and unload dishes from w/c.
5. Fixed shelves should be replaced with revolving or roll out shelves for w/c users.
6. Lever or asymmetrical faucets are easier to operate than turning knobs.
7. Cabinets are easier to open with loop handles than small knobs.
8. Stove controls should be mounted in the front so they are reachable. Enlarged control knobs are also available.
9. A mirror might be mounted over the stove to allow the monitoring of food without bending over the stove ( loose clothing can catch fire ).
10. Adjustable counters allow a variety of working heights for multiple users.
11. Sinks should have a shallow basin with a rear drain to allow better reach and posterior pipe placement to increase knee room under sink.
12. Self-cleaning ovens decrease scrubbing and reach requirements.
13. Counters should be available next to stoves and ovens so that heavy items can be slid not carried.
14. Microwaves with large control panels are easier to operate. Doors which open automatically when the time has expired are helpful if grip is limited and doors are difficult to open.
15. Floor area has a large turning radius which enables w/c user easy access to all areas of kitchen.
16. Appliances with large buttons, knobs, or handles are easier to operate.
17. Kitchen table is placed to the side of the room to allow better w/c access. Height allows w/c user to sit with knees under table comfortably.
18. A wide variety of kitchen accessories are available for persons with poor grip strength: utensils with built up handles, cups and mugs with large handles, jar openers, food processors, and others which are too numerous to list. The Sammons catalogue would be an excellent resource for Tom to illustrate products which are currently available.