By Nina Patel. Accessible designs and products in the kitchen help all cooks -- whether they are able-bodied, short, tall, elderly, a child, or in a wheelchair. But, says gerontologist Jeff Lefkovich, "the general public will not think about this until they are confronted with health-related issues." So it falls to designers to educate homeowners about including accessible designs and appliances in their kitchens.
In general, Lefkovich says, the room should have enough space for a wheelchair or walker. This includes wide aisles and doorways, large toe kicks, and differing countertop heights. He suggests installing two small islands instead of one large one. Here are some more specific ideas for the rest of the kitchen.
Take the heatLefkovich says using a cooktop and wall oven instead of a range offers flexibility for wheelchair users. Remodelers can install cooktops in a countertop with an open space underneath. "If you can, place a swiveling stool that slides in and out under the cabinet," he says.
Patricia Johnson is an interior designer and the author of three books on accessibility. She says installing a mirror on the back wall above the cooktop allows wheelchair users to see into pots while they're cooking.
Users can quickly and easily wipe off spills from a glass cooktop. Roll-out pantry shelves bring ingredients within reach for all cooks. Courtesy GE Appliances Cooktops with side or front controls are the best. "Controls on the back are a safety hazar
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