Universal Design for Kitchens

In 1992, the National Health Disability Survey totaled 38 million disabled Americans. Another study two years later, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, estimates that 20.6 percent of the population—54 million people—live with some level of disability. Slightly less than half experience a severe disability. "Studies indicate that elderly and disabled people will constitute a majority of the population within the next 25 to 30 years," says Deborah Bore Dean, assistant secretary for community planning and development at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

No one argues that this is a growing market for universal design.

More than 10 years ago, the American Institute of Architects predicted that "accessible design" would not be considered "special design," but would become standard practice. It is no longer difficult or expensive to design for accessibility. But today, it seems that kitchens haven’t reach that point. They continue to be one of the most inaccessible rooms in the house.

Nancy Snow, housing compliance specialist for the Colorado Fair Housing Authority says, "Many of the complaints we get are about kitchens. Thirty- six-inch-high counter tops that are 24 inches deep pose a significant problem for many of our clients." Even though the solution—lowering the counters— seems simple, it has often been expensive to have custom cabinets made that allow for easier reach.

Universal design addresses the accessibility of cabinets, countertops and controls in a kitchen by all people to the greatest extent possible. It need not increase costs or result in unattractive kitchens, however. Universal design requires an understanding and consideration of the broad range of human abilities throughout their lifespan. Creative application of that knowledge results in products, appliances and cabinets that are usable by most people regardless of their level of ability or disability.

The main approach to compensate for limited range of motion involves bringing access or controls to people, rather than making people reach for them. One kind of modification is to put the operational features of the home into a zone more accessible to all humans, generously defined as an area 27 to 48 inches above the floor, with a maximum depth of 20 inches. So, for example, switches and thermostats might be placed no higher than 48 inches above the floor, electrical outlets no lower than 27 inches.

Making them adjustable makes some features more universally usable. Kitchen sinks, pantry shelves, upper cabinets with pull-down shelves and countertops are a few adjustable, universally usable items. Making sinks adjustable also requires a flexible water-supply line leading to the faucet and an extra tailpiece, with a slip joint, on the drainpipe.

Doors

• 36" wide doors
• Pocket doors that are touch-sensitive
• Lever handles that are usable by people with limited use of their hands

Switches

• Light switches located at a lower height and electrical receptacles raised to 15" to 18" above the floor place them within reach of most people without requiring bending or stretching
• Audible and visual signals on switches

Appliances

• Stove or range with its controls mounted on the front or the side
• Raised oven with side hinged door for easier access
• Pull out hot-shelf next to the oven for ease of removing hot items
• Drop in stove top located 30" to 34" off the floor
• Side-by-side self-defrosting refrigerator-freezer

Sinks

• A spray attachment at the sink, with an extra-long hose
• Sink with a rear drain for knee space underneath
• A trash compactor to reduce the bulkiness of discarded items
• A garbage disposal to reduce the number of trips to the trash bins

Cabinets

• Sufficient clear floor space for wheelchairs
• Lower countertop segments
• Lever and loop type handles on hardware
• Knee spaces under sinks and counters,
• Lazy susans in corner cabinets
• Rolling carts for under-the-counter storage
• Pullout shelves with cutouts to hold bowls
• C- or D-shaped loop handles on drawers and cabinets
• Easy-gliding hardware for drawers
• Pop-up appliance holders
• Pull-out cutting boards and bowl holders
• Cut-out, or recessed space beneath countertops, cook tops, and sinks to accommodate a seated person or a person in a wheelchair

Other modifications make work and storage space more accessible. Constructing separate work surfaces at different heights accommodates persons within the same household who are of different age or height, or different ability levels. Installing adjustable-height shelves in kitchen cabinets, pantries, and household closets responds to both current and future needs as children grow and adults age.

Many products on the market support more efficient use of cabinets and closets. Vertical strips attached to the walls, with brackets inserted at desired heights, make adjustable shelving possible. Similar products work for sinks and countertops in kitchens.

To accommodate this burgeoning market, cabinetmakers have developed new lines to address these issues. Two in particular, Kraftmaid and Wellborn Cabinets, have specialty product lines that include many of the hard-to-find accessories and specifications. Kraftmaid’s offering includes:

321/2"-High Base Cabinets
Installed with standard 11/2"-thick countertops, this 34" height is easier for most women and all children to use when performing ordinary kitchen tasks.

180-Degree Opening Doors
Provide complete access to cabinet contents and do not inhibit approach.

Adjustable Roll-Out Shelf
Rollout shelf with every base door cabinet. Others may be added.

Tambour Doors
For selected size base cabinets, roll-up doors eliminate approach barriers, yet are easy to open.

Optional Lighted Interiors
Lighted interiors for wall cabinets combine interior lighting with clear acrylic shelves for clear viewing of all cabinet contents. Individuals with dimmed or impaired vision especially appreciate this option.

Dishwasher Cabinet
Lifts dishwasher to comfortable height. Brings the dishwasher to a level easier to load and unload without excessive bending and stooping.

Tall Oven Cabinet
Wall ovens often make it difficult to view cooking food and to insert or remove heavy baking pans and casserole dishes. Provides for installation of the oven at the height that works best.

Wellborn’s comprehensive line of accessible cabinetry focuses on independent living for people with special needs. This includes:

• Cabinets that provide for dishwashers that don’t require bending down to load and unload
• Built-in cutting boards
• Lazy susans for ease of accessibility
• Roll-up Tambour cabinet faces to eliminate door swing.

Designing homes for the life span makes good business sense. Making the kitchen flexible for all ages is just good design. Whether simple modifications during a remodel, or more complex features designed into a new home, universal design allows individuals to remain in the home or families to remain together for many years.

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