For more information, visit the ADA Compliance Directory. The ADA’s requirements go into far deeper detail than what we’ve summarized here.Countertops and work surfaces should be at an adequate height to allow for ease of use, and, if accommodating wheelchair users, should have open space below them with no sharp or abrasive encumbrances.Front-operated appliances (such as ovens, ranges, refrigerators, or dishwashers) must have adequate space around them to allow a disabled individual to access them from the side.Kitchen doors and throughways must meet a minimum width in order to accommodate mobility devices such as wheelchairs.Kitchen floors should be clear of any obstructions that may impede mobility devices or present a danger to individuals at risk of falling.
#Handicap accessible full#
Its standards are detailed and explicit, prescribing layout and positioning specifications down to the inch for full compliance, but for our purposes we’ll focus only on its principles. The ADA lays out a number of specifications for how kitchens can be made more accessible to handicapped users. What Constitutes an ADA-Compliant Kitchen? Some of these innovations are spelled out in the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), while others go above and beyond to provide ease of use for individuals with specific disabilities.
Fortunately, there are a number of innovative options for redesigning kitchens to make them friendlier for disabled individuals. These individuals include wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, and individuals with strength or balance limitations.įor many reasons, these individuals often have difficulty using conventional home kitchens the way they’re typically designed. Accessible kitchens are designed such that individuals with disabilities or mobility issues can use them safely and comfortably.