Special Needs Kitchens

As with other rooms in the home, particularly bathrooms, the kitchen must be amended to help those who have some special needs to keep their level of independence.

Kitchen manufacturers are beginning now to recognize the needs of the special needs, elderly or disabled consumer, with a wider range of kitchens and kitchen equipment that is more thoughtfully designed with regard to their requirements.

Some of the features which will need to be different in a kitchen for those who have special needs, depending of course on what those needs are and what handicap needs to be provided for according to one kitchen manufacturer are:.

Lowered sinks and countertops are necessary to accommodate the seated individual in a special needs kitchen

• alternative working heights, where the kitchen is used by both ambulatory and wheelchair users.

• wall-mounted base units without plinths, to allow foot room for wheelchair users.

• adjustable shelving to enable positioning of the oven and fridge at a convenient working height.

• shallow sink bowls, allowing sufficient knee room underneath for a seated user and a lowered sink area, to provide for someone who is seated to be able to work at the sink.

• pull-down accessory for wall cupboard.

• taps with levers or no-touch, infra-red controls.

• hob controls at the front for easy, safe access.

• ovens with doors that open sideways rather than downwards, may be easier to work with.

Equipping existing wall cupboards with a smooth pull-down mechanism, means that wheelchair users can reach storage space that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Pulldowns in the cabinets can mean a great difference to the special needs person

There are all sorts of useful extras, such as pull out ironing boards, work surfaces and storage bins. Height adjustable units may be electrically, hydraulically or manually powered.

One thing to keep in mind when designing or planning a kitchen for a family member who is handicapped, whether permanent or temporary, is that it will be far more costly to re-equip an existing kitchen in the long run than it will be to begin in the planning stages of the home to plan for a kitchen that can be used from a seated position.

Specifying one during the planning and construction stage of the home will usually be less costly as well as providing for less work, as many times there are things which may not be adapted for use by the special needs individual, and will need to be completely replaced to effect the change.

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