Freedom accessible kitchens have been designed with the requirements of the Building Regulations Approved Document-M (M4(3) Category 3, Wheelchair User Dwellings) in mind, and also considers the suggestions from the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide 2018.
Working alongside industry leader Adam Thomas, who happens to be a wheelchair user, we have also reviewed design features above and beyond the requirements of these documents, that we believe offer unrivalled accessibility and functionality for a wheelchair accessible kitchen.
Displayed below are a few of the ways we can help your wheelchair accessible kitchens meet the requirements, whilst also being inclusive for all users.
Adjustable height worktops are a vital element of a wheelchair accessible kitchen. Freedom offers electric and manual rise and fall worktops, alongside adjustable fixed worktops on brackets. Our straight and right angle corner worktops are available in a range of lengths to suit every home. Waterfall edged work surfaces are also available to prevent spills.
We have oven housings to suit the requirements of the Building Regulations (oven centre 800 – 900mm from the floor), however where possible we recommend a higher oven solution which can be more accessible for a many users. This avoids the need for a wheelchair user to lean forwards to access the oven, instead allowing the user a more comfortable, safer position.
Our heat resistant pull-out shelf is integrated into each Freedom oven housing. It works well with hide and slide oven doors and meets the Building Regulation requirements, whilst offering great functionality to the user of the kitchen. When positioned at our recommended height a wheelchair user can position their legs safely underneath the pull out shelf.
Regulations suggest an accessible sink should be no more than 150mm deep with insulation to the underside to avoid a wheelchair user scolding their legs if boiling water has been poured into the sink. Our Freedom sinks meet and in some cases exceed this requirement. Furthermore our upgrade sink is pre-installed with a heat resistant base coating.
The Wheelchair Housing Design guide advises accessible storage solutions to include internal pull out/down baskets, carousels and pull out larders. This allows a wheelchair user to pull cupboard contents out into the kitchen to a more accessible position. Our range of pull out wirework allows us to offer a variety of solutions for all the different accessible kitchen cabinets that we offer.
We have a wide selection of suggested appliances that comply with the recommendations from regulations. We strongly recommend the use of induction hobs as they are much safer than electric hobs which can heat up, gas hobs should never be used. The latest technology in extractor hoods connects the hood to the hob via Wifi so that the extractor operates when the hob is on. This eliminates the need for a wheelchair user to reach the extractor to operate it. Slide and hide ovens are also strongly recommended as they move the hot oven door out of the way allowing clear access to the oven.
Watch this video to explore our full collection of Freedom features that comply with DOC-M Category 3 requirements as well as our best practise principles.
A full range of these features can be designed into your new developments.
See what your Symphony kitchen could look like before you buy? Choose from our range of contemporary or classic designs, or if you prefer an ultra-handleless design, select our Linear ranges. Customise your options with the choice of range, colour, handle, and worktop. Once you have made your decision, simply email yourself (or your kitchen designer) with your choices and start planning your perfect kitchen.
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