Get Cooking: Guidelines for an Accessible Kitchen

In November it’s impossible not to think of family time, thankfulness and food. Lots of food. If you or a family member use a wheelchair, it doesn’t mean that a chef’s hat is out of the question. Here are a few guidelines to make sure that your kitchen is accessible to every willing cook in your family. Start planning your dream accessible kitchen today! 

1. Kitchen Counters: Accessible countertops need to be a little lower to the ground. Instead of the average 36”, your workspace should be 34” high and 30” wide to ensure that you have enough space to accommodate all the chopping and baking in your future. Eliminate base cabinets to allow easy access to your countertops.
2. Kitchen Sink: You will also need to allow ample knee space under your kitchen sink — at least 27” high and 8” deep. Placing the drain near the back of the sink will give you more room, too. Any exposed pipes should be insulated to protect your knees and toes in that space. When you’re picking a faucet consider placing a single lever model on the side or investing in a touch activated spout for even easier accessibility. 
3. Kitchen Storage: Much like kitchen counters, accessible kitchen cabinets need to be lower in an accessible kitchen. Think smart when organizing and put commonly used items in lower, easy to grab places. If you’re willing to splurge, consider height adjustable cabinets. If that’s not in the budget consider accessories like pull down shelves, divided drawers and Lazy Susan organizers.
4. Kitchen Appliances:
   • Ranges: Make sure your range has flat, front-facing controls for easy access and minimal interference with your clothes and chair as you pass buy.
   • Ovens: An oven with a side swing door offers the best safety and accessibility.
   • Microwaves: Height is key when placing your microwave. Try to ensure the controls are no higher than 48” off the floor.
   • Refrigerators: Your refridgerator choice depends on your cooking style. If you usually reach for fresh ingredients, consider a traditional freezer-top model. If you rely on frozen foods, go for a fridge with the freezer on bottom.
   • Dishwashers: Make sure that your dishwasher is at least 12” off the floor. A single drawer might be the most accessible option for you.
5. Kitchen Floorspace: First, make sure you can enter the kitchen. The entry way should be at least 36” or 42” for optimal comfort. If you have a pass-through kitchen, you’ll need at least 40” of width. U-shaped kitchens should be at least 60” wide for a wheelchair user.

 With our recipe for accessible kitchen success, you can make sure that everyone in your family can be a gourmet. Some updates are as simple as a trip to the store — like grabbing a few Lazy Susans or rearranging your drawer organization — while others will take some planning and budgeting ahead.

 Remember to check our blog often and follow us on Facebook to get the latest on how to make accessibility as simple as possible for your family.