Universal Design for the Kitchen

The past few years have seen a developing awareness of the advantages of designing space to serve people of all physical capabilities as equally as possible.

Government response to demands from the disabilities community to make public accommodations easier for the disabled to use has produced an environment easier for all of us to use. Everyone appreciates lever door knobs and single level faucets, larger print on street signs and wider grocery aisles. Even the advent of luggage with wheels, the overwhelming choice of the traveling public now, was made possible by the curb cuts mandated for access by wheel chair users.

The recent rise in emphasis on making homes user-friendly for people with a wide range of abilities has reached the level where some builders are including many of the principles of universal design in their newest communities. There is growing awareness of the many advantages to this inclusive approach to planning and outfitting our homes.

Early attempts to make environments more accessible for wheelchair users often resulted in an objectionable clinical look associated with commercial medical equipment and definitely not what one would want in a private home. But, fear of the stigma of creating such an impression is no longer justified. Clever space planning and imaginative use of both standard materials and better design from manufacturers hoping to crack the lucrative aging baby boomer market have made it possible to have your cake and eat it too when planning for both ease of access and ease of use.

Its just good common sense to approach the design of the busiest room in your home, your kitchen, from an ease-of-use point of view. Ease of use for everyone, all of the time means planning access and work space for everyone who wants to use the kitchen, regardless of age, size or physical characteristics.