The same Baby Boomers who are steering interior design choices are creating a demand for products and designs that address physical abilities and needs.

·         Door knobs are being replaced with levers that are easier to grasp.

·         Doorways are becoming wider to accommodate a wheelchair.

·         Appliances are being raised to relieve that aching back.

If you are designing a kitchen to accommodate a disability or want to plan for the future, there are many issues to consider. If you are planning for the possibility of needing such changes, consider how they will affect the resale value of your house.

Structural considerations

When designing a kitchen, think about how you will use the space. If you use a  wheelchair or walker, you may not want an island near the counters, as it will limit mobility. You will need wider doorways for wheelchair access throughout the house.

Ask your contractor about:

·         expanding a 30 or 32-inch door opening to 36 inches

·         how wider doorways will affect the trim around the doors, the location of the electrical outlets and plumbing and cooling systems, and the amount of floor material used

·         the availability of 33-inch high cabinets, which are easier to reach from a wheelchair than the more standard 36-inch cabinet

·         lowering the kitchen sink by six to eight inches for wheelchair accessibility

·         using levers instead of knobs on cabinet doors and drawers

·         the use of light to help visibility and mobility 

Appliances

There are many options. Frigidaire, for example, has a wall mounted convection oven with a door that opens sideways instead of down. "The nice thing about it is if you have a disability you don't have to reach across the oven door to get into it," said Tony Evans, a spokesperson for the Augusta, Ga.-based company.

This design also works well in a small kitchen instead of an oven door that opens down into the work space, Evans said. The oven also can be installed at varying heights, including under a counter.

"The basic thing is looking at good ergonomics," he said. "Good fundamental design is easy to use and it's good for everyone. Even though you don't have some disability you'll benefit from good design."

Appliances also are being made with electronic touch controls and lettering that is easier to read, features which can help those with hand and visual impairments. "It's not always the size, it's how clear it is," Evans said. "We try to combine the right type face. If you have a type face with a lot of curly cues it doesn't matter how big it is, it can be hard to read.

"Some cooktops have controls at the front so that a person does not have to reach across the oven. This appliance can be installed on top of a cabinet with doors that roll inward instead of opening outward. This will allow someone in a wheelchair to move closer to the cabinet.