When there are people in a household that use a wheelchair or need extra help to ambulate (walker, cane, etc.), it is important that the living space can accommodate them. It is also important when remodeling a space to become ADA compliant that all local laws and regulations are followed to ensure that the changes are up to code. What areas are best to concentrate on for an ADA kitchen?
Appliances
Depending on the need, there are appliances and tools that are available to help anyone who could use an extra hand, steady hand, or extra reach when cooking. Appliances can have easier power buttons and more readily accessible use options. If there are several people cooking in the kitchen, then the adaptive appliances can be placed separate from the rest, so they are always available when needed.
Easy Entry
One thing that often gets overlooked is the transition from one room to the next. If the kitchen has a hard floor but the surrounding rooms have carpet, there could be a lip where the carpet ends and the hard floor begins. For someone using a walker or cane, this can create a trip hazard. Even if someone does not have one of those, trip hazards can still be an issue for small children and people who shuffle when they walk.
Work Triangle
The space between the sink, refrigerator, and stove is called the work triangle. It is called this because most of the cooking requires one of these three items. When considering the traffic and cooking patterns in the kitchen, you can set up this area to best accommodate all the cooks that will be in the kitchen. This could mean adding lower storage, increasing the space between appliances and an island, or adding hooks to hold most needed items.
Floor Space
One thing that is important when developing your layout is to make sure there is ample open floor space for moving around. Beyond just moving in a straight line, space needs to allow for a wheelchair to turn 360 degrees and allow others to pass while a wheelchair is in the kitchen. If a walker or cane is being used, then the flooring needs to be open, so there is nothing for it to catch on. Additionally, you need to pay attention to all of the things that stick out in the kitchen, like the cabinet hardware, to make sure that does not create a catch hazard either.
