DESIGNING YOUR KITCHEN

DESIGNING YOUR KITCHEN
by Heather Arthur
Rehabilitation Teacher and Techniques of Daily Living Practice Advisor, RNZFB.

When designing or refurbishing your kitchen, the following are considerations that may assist those with vision impairment to achieve a work area that is designed to meet individual needs and is user friendly.

Some aspects to be considered are:

* Use of high contrast. Colour contrast clearly defines areas and helps make items and objects more visible.
* Use of matt finishes on all surfaces reflects light while minimising glare.
* Use of high contrast colour assists with identification and definition of windows and doors, door handles, face plates on light switches and three pin plugs, facing edges of shelves, towel rails, etc.
* Dark colour benches butted with light colour walls clearly defines the work area. Dark colour benches assist in defining appliances and crockery, as these objects are more visible on a dark surface.
* Exploration of appliances that best meet the individual's needs results in appliances that are safe and user friendly.
* Placement of appliances for safe use: Where you intend to place the microwave for safe use is of prime importance as this may impact on the overall design of the area and the microwave options to be explored.
* A microwave needs to sit on or at bench level to ensure safe use, preferably with bench or shelf space in front of the oven, so that you can rest heavy items as they are removed from the microwave. When placed at head height there is a high risk of scalds from hot liquids as they are being removed from the oven.
* Soft touch keypad models are preferable to dial operated microwaves for the following reasons: They allow for versatility of cooking options, accurate programming including use of seconds for positive cooking outcomes. They are user friendly when tactiled and give audible feedback [beeps] with the push of each button. Talking microwaves are now available and can be purchased through the RNZFB or from the manufacturers. The cost varies as to whom they are purchased from or funded by.
* Another appliance that requires careful consideration is the stove top: Smooth-topped cookers are easy to clean. However, centring of saucepans may be difficult.
* Gas top considerations: Does it have audible feedback as it ignites? Can saucepans be centred easily and how easy are they to clean or wipe?
* Stainless steel appliances and surfaces are very fashionable in the kitchen. However, these may result in glare and the definition of controls, handles and edges may be minimal.
* Using natural light while controlling glare may be readily achieved with the appropriate window covering. An example of this would be to use vertical blinds which allow one to direct and control the direction of light while minimising glare.
* Skylights strategically placed may add light to a dark area. A note of caution - There is a great variety of skylights on the market, but some may be the source of an increased noise level when it rains. For example, this may result in difficulty identifying sounds such as liquid boiling or simmering.

Good lighting in the kitchen is essential for those with low vision. Lighting issues can be complex and deserve a separate article.

All aspects of kitchen decor and appliance exploration need to be undertaken before planning the actual design to ensure the needs of the individual are met.

The local Techniques of Daily Living Instructor is a resource you may like to avail yourself of when you are considering building or refurbishing a kitchen. Contact the nearest Royal NZ Foundation for the Blind centre in your area and ask to talk to the TDL Instructor.