Kitchen
What’s cooking in the Kitchen?
Kitchens are one of the main gathering spots in any home.
UD knobs in the front of the stove with UD cabinet hardware. Space at the bottom of the cabinet accommodates for a foot rest on a wheelchair.
The UD Checklist for Optimum Kitchens
Turning radius of 6’ in the kitchen and in front of any appliance.
Counters are 40” from the floor to counter top.
Chairs at varying heights to accommodate various ages.
Lighting for tasks and general illumination.
Table for meals.
Flooring is continuous.
Appliances have knobs in front.
Consider an induction stove top for ease and safety.
Wall oven with side swing door.
Microwave, sink, dishwasher (drawer), and stove top at 40” height from floor for access and easy to use UD handles.
UD dishwashers or modification.
Modification of a refrigerators/freezers.
Windows allowing light from 2 directions in the kitchen space.
UD kitchen utensil products.
Reachable kitchen cabinets.
Adequate pantry storage along with UD storage containers.
UD design for faucets.
UD cabinet hardware.
Electrical switches in front to be accessible.
The kitchen has the optimum turning radius of 6’
Turning radius: Just as entrances need the 6’ turning radius so does the kitchen and any space in front of an appliance for full access.
Counters: Adjustable counters ranging from 32” from the floor up to 40” from the floor are another option.
If space is a issue, consider using a table for kitchen tasks particularly if someone is using a wheelchair and than all other counters can be at a 40” height. I would not bother with a bar height. A variety of work surfaces allows for more kitchen participation.
Counters that have a minimal pattern and are lighter in color make it visually easier to see what is on the counter. Counters should have rounded edges for safety.
A story about counters. When my grandkids were about 7 months until 5 yrs, I would lay them belly down on the kitchen counter to wash their hands under the faucet sink.
Their day care did this and I took note as it was much easier on my back and they learned to do it independently.
Lighting: Task lighting in a kitchen is probably one of the most important features. Match the lighting to the task. You may find yourself needing under the counter, pendant, spots, overall and ambient lighting all in your kitchen! Another feature particularly in Texas we need fans in a kitchen almost year round. Combining a fan with a light kit can almost meet your lighting needs. Go to a lighting store and see your options as there are many.
Pendant, spot light, under the counter lighting.
Tables for meals: I love banquette seating along with a space at the table for a wheelchair, highchair or any other chair which can be pulled up to the table.
Banquette seating can save valuable floor space.
Traditional dining table with a variety of chairs. bench and stools to accommodate various ages.
Appliances: The only UD appliance is a drawer dishwasher and microwave. All other appliances require modifications or adaptations.
This built in microwave opens at the touch of a button. Easy to access and because it is a drawer you can see into it. Great UD.
Stove tops are more accessible when the knobs are in the front. If you have a cook who happens to use a wheelchair they might find that they can only access the first row on the stove top. Measuring “reach” or how far someone can reach to pick up or put down objects, becomes paramount for those trying to cook from any chair.
Front knobs make this stove more accessible and safe.
When considering a UD dishwasher there are 2 options. A drawer dishwasher or a modification to elevate the dishwasher which makes access easier. Once again “reach” becomes important for either of these options. Have the person who will use the appliance, sit in a chair and see how the reach is. Often there might be a physical space that is not accessible. I also check how easy the appliance is to open. The appliances should have a UD handle for easy opening.
A new development in accessibility and dishwashers was released in June 2025. It is a lower rack that takes the place of any Whirlpool product and is called the spin and load rack. It rotates 360 degrees eliminating reaching or the need to reposition oneself to load the dishwasher. Whirlpool describes it as an “inclusive feature”.
Spin and Load Rack, is a retro fit for the lower shelf in Whirlpool dishwashers made after 2018.
Just as there are drawer dishwashers there are drawer refrigerators and freezers. Although not a UD product, one will need to determine which refrigerator /freezer will best accommodate a person using a wheelchair. It can be a process of trial and error. A dorm refrigerator, maybe the right height, may serve some needs but not be a true freezer. There are drawer freezers. Perhaps a separate drawer refrigerator and a drawer freezer will suit your needs.
There are some combination 2 door on top refrigerators with a freezer drawer on the bottom. Objects may get lost in the freezer drawer. Consider organizational tools to help locate items in freezer. Modifications are necessary to make this work for all.
Refrigerator with 2 top doors and pull out freezer.
One top door opens to an inside door displaying items but not opening the entire door. It’s reachable to a certain extent for anyone using a wheelchair.
Modifications may be necessary to make this accessible to all.
This kitchen has plenty of turning radius space in front of sink, dishwasher, oven and stove. Notice UD hardware and the knobs in front on stove.
A wall oven that has a side door will be easier to access.
Windows: In the Multigenerational Living blog, I spent some time discussing why windows are so vital to health and wellness. Light coming into a space from 2 directions allows for more light in the space during the day. This is a big health bonus.
UD Products: a plug for OXO products. If you have arthritis, restricted finger movement or weakness in the hands, OXO has put out a line of products to help in the kitchen. A peeler, pizza cutter, can opener, ice cream scoop to name a few. I also like adapted utensils for personal cutting, fork spearing and spoon slurping.
Here are a few UD kitchen products
UD adapted utensils
Storage: Storage consider a walk in pantry with an opening of 40” wide (that’s a door or two 20” doors). Don’t forget the turning radius. There are lots of UD options for storage containers.
I found this to be the most comfortable and easy to use container. It is simple, flexible, easy to use and clear so you know what is in it! Comes in various sizes. Great UD design.
Kitchen Faucets: consider a faucet mounted on the side of the sink and an easy to use sprayer to reach further. Faucets that are hand activated are great UD.
A nice large counter workspace. The matte finish makes it easier to see objects on counter.
Motion activated soap dispenser, great UD.
Kitchen Cabinets: All cabinets top or bottom should be reachable.
Lets look at bottom cabinets first. Bottom cabinets should open and recess (retract) to the sides if someone needs to have full access under a cabinet. An open kick plate makes a lower cabinet more accessible to someone using a wheelchair. If full access is not an issue, I always prefer a drawer to a lower cabinet. A drawer allows you to easily, using less energy and safely access objects in the space.
Can you ever have enough drawers?
Never!
I would change out the drawer hardware as everything snags on it!
Notice the open kick plate on the bottom drawers.
Pull down shelves on a top cabinet makes for an easier reach. Think of the closet pull downs, it is the same idea.
By using the handle at the bottom of this pull down shelf you can now access a top cabinet. Good UD.
Open shelving helps one to see what they are needing and then by using a “reacher” they can access it. As one ages getting objects from high or low spaces becomes difficult. Have you noticed how many older folks use their counter as a cabinet?
Cabinet Hardware: All hardware ends must turn inward (prevents clothing from being snagged on it) and allows a hand to reach through for great UD.
Open turning area between sink and stove. Notice the UD hardware on cabinets!
Electrical switches: garbage disposal, vent hoods, and under the counter lights must have a switch at the front or be easily accessed.
