Page 507 - Biomedical Engineering and Design Handbook Volume 2, Applications

HOME MODIFICATION DESIGN 485

• Design eating areas with room for round tables for families with deaf members. This provides
individuals with a clear view of each other to facilitate communication.
• Keep the pathway for bringing groceries into the house as short and straight as possible.
• Keep the work triangle small for persons with visual impairments.

17.2.11 Refrigerator/Freezer
A refrigerator/freezer in a side-by-side configuration with good door storage spaces, a built-in
icemaker, and a cold-water dispenser is recommended.
Dimensions. Height. Forty-eight inches is the maximum height a wheelchair-assisted individual
should be expected to reach into a refrigerator/freezer.
Width. Between 32 and 48 in; standard to extrawide dimensions are recommended. Due to a
lower reach height, a wider refrigerator/freezer will allow more accessible storage space.
Depth. Standard dimensions are best used along with rollout drawers.

Adaptive Features. Location. The best alternative is to position the refrigerator/freezer away
from any corners in the kitchen so that doors open 180 degrees. This allows plenty of space to open
the doors and for wheelchair accessibility to the interior of the refrigerator/freezer.
Loop Handles. Due to the tight seal and weight of refrigerator/freezer doors, a significant force
and space are required to open and close them. Loop handles should be the same dimensions as
1
1
1
handrails, 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 in in diameter for the handgrip, and they should be mounted 1 / 2 in away from
the refrigerator door. Sometimes a short leather or nylon loop can be used, e.g., a short dog leash.
These are excellent features to ease access for those with degraded motor coordination and for visu-
ally impaired individuals.
Powered Doors. A self-opening and closing feature is a good idea for individuals with loss of
strength and motor coordination. This can best be accomplished using a custom-designed system
with electrical servomotors and a touch-sensitive switch.
Rollout Basket Shelves. Due to standard depth of a refrigerator, the reach must be accommo-
dated for wheelchair-assisted individuals. Simple plastic-covered wire baskets with wheels on a rail
allow access to the rear of the refrigerator. A lock-in mechanism should be designed into the shelf at
its maximum extension, which should be set at two-thirds its depth.
Side-by-Side Layout of Refrigerator/Freezer. The best configuration is for the two units to sit
side by side with their doors opening from the middle. This makes it easier to move items between
the two units.
Water Dispenser. Built into refrigerator at 32 in above the ground, this is the average counter
top height for wheelchair-assisted individual.
Icemaker. This eliminates the nuisance of filling up and emptying ice trays for mobility-
impaired individuals. Location of icemaker dispenser should be next to the water dispenser.

17.2.12 Dishwasher
The assistive kitchen dishwasher is designed for wheelchair-assisted people with varying disabilities
but also accommodates people with visual impairments. Since it is impossible to come up with one
universal design for all disabilities, adaptations are presented.

Dimensions
• Standard height to fit under the countertop or countertop height for a roll-around unit
• Standard width of a conventional dishwasher
• Standard depth of a conventional dishwasher