The Marriage Between Art and Accessibility: ADA Compliance

The kitchen is a place for socializing with family and friends. Making changes in the kitchen space that accommodate both those with disabilities and the elderly can greatly increase its usability and safety. While the average home’s kitchen, including its kitchen sink, is not subject to codes, there are code requirements for residences serving people with disabilities. These ADA requirements are also gaining ground as benchmarks for aging in place design and in universal design.

Under ADA, there are five important requirements for accessible kitchen design:

1. Clearance requirement: A 40-inch clear width is required in a pass-through kitchen; a 60-inch clear width is required in a U-shaped kitchen, as measured from the furthest projection points.
2. Workspace: While countertops may be positioned as high as 36 inches above the finished floor, in order to allow for knee and toe clearance, a 30-inch-wide section of counter space, 28 inches to 34 inches above the finished floor and unobstructed by base cabinets, must be provided.
3. Sink: An accessible sink is one located 28 inches to 34 inches above the finished floor, unobstructed for knee and toe clearance in a forward approach.
4. Cabinets: Fifty percent of all shelf space within cabinets must be accessible, falling within one of the two reach ranges specified in ANSI section 308.
5. Appliances: All appliances must have a clear floor space of 30 inches by 48 inches positioned for forward approach on the appliance. (For additional information on requirements, a helpful resource is Accessible Kitchen Design.)

Specific to kitchen sinks, under the ADA requirements, the sink should be 5 inches to 5 ½ inches deep to allow space for a wheelchair to go underneath and to not be so deep as to make it difficult for a seated person to reach to the bottom of the sink. This depth is derived from the ADA Maximum Counter surface height of 34 inches, an average counter thickness of 1½ inches, and the ADA Minimum distance between the floor and bottom of sink, set at 27 inches.

The accessibility requirements for kitchen sinks are calculated based upon a maximum height, counter thickness, and depth of kitchen sink from the floor.

Since a significant part of the work in a kitchen happens at the sink, having an ADA-compliant sink that is easy to use is also very important. Hands-free or lever-handled faucets with pullout sprayers can be considered for ease of use. These also may be best mounted to the side rather than at the back of the sink. Anti-scald devices may be added to prevent burns. The sink’s finish should be easy to maintain—radius corners should be smooth to the touch and easy to wipe clean. Smooth, nonporous surfaces ensure that dirt and bacteria can’t get inside, keeping the sink hygienic.

The architect and designer must proceed with caution when pursuing an ADA kitchen. While many individual products such as cabinet units and sinks may advertise ADA compliance, it is the kitchen as a whole—the sum of the parts—that will earn certification. The design of an accessible kitchen is one that involves all the elements in the space.

While not required under universal design or aging in place designs, ADA-compliant kitchens help ensure suitability and adaptability for a range of users over their lifetimes. Developed by Ronald L. Mace, AIA, universal design refers to design that works to ensure products and buildings can be used by virtually everyone, regardless of their level of ability or disability. Likewise, the movement to incorporate “aging in place” into design means to create the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.

The heart of both these design movements, when applied to kitchen design, is about making life easier in the kitchen. Incorporating universal design themes into products in an aesthetically pleasing way is growing in importance. Manufacturers are increasingly looking at how to blend great functionality in an easy-to-care-for and easy-to-use design that delivers great style.

The accessible kitchen design featured in this private residence is both user friendly and aesthetically engaging.