The assistive kithcen sink is designed for wheelchair assisted personnel with varying disabilities but also accomodates visually impaired. Since it is impossible to come up with one universal design for all disabilities, some alternative suggestions are provided that were not incorporated within the design
The adaptive sink design features 2 bowls with an electric waste disposal on the left sink bowl. Drains are positioned at the center of the left bowl and at the rear inner corner of the right bowl so as to position the plumbing away from the individuals knees in a wheelchair. Since the right basin has it's drain positioned at the corner, the bottom of the sink should be sloped towards the drain hole. Lever handles are mounted halfway between the two sink bowls with 300 degree range of motion for maximum flexibility. Another faucet with flexible rubber hose is provided with a 7 foot reach. A removable sloping protection panel is mounted in front of the plumbing pipe under the sink to protect the knees of a wheelchair assisted individual.
The following adaptive features are desinged into the kitchen sink
Other adaptive features considered but not used in the adaptive kitchen sink design
The sink requires hot and cold water line and piping for drainage; The four different materials pipe can be made from is copper, cast iron, steel and plastic (PVC). Copper is the most expensive but lasts the longest due to lack of corrosion. It's light, easy to install and can be easily cut with a hacksaw. Drain pipes are generally thinner than hot and cold water pipes. They require venting so the sewer gases do not filter back into the house.
| Type | Common Use |
|---|---|
| K | Underground water services (Thickest wall) |
| L | Natural gas services |
| M | Residential water systems (Thiner wall) |
| DWV | Drain pipes (Thinnest wall) |
For basins there are several options: stainless steel, fiberglass plastic and porcelan cast iron. There is not a clear cut advantage from one to another. For cleaning purposes plastic and porcelan are easier to maintain and for longevity stainless steel is immune to chipping and cracking. Sinks install in one of three ways. Self-rimming type has a rolled edge that rests on top of the counter and is caulked in place. The edge of the sink is raised and sets above the counter. The second type fits flush with the countertop and uses sink rims to secure it in place. The third type is used for stainless steel sinks where rim clamps are used to secure the sink.
A disposer can be installed in any sink that has a full size drain openning. For an assistive
kitchen design switch location, safety and disposal location are the main design objectives.
The on and off switch should be placed in an accessible area, possibly under the front lip of
the countertop. Care should be taken not to position the switch where a wheelchair can
accidently bump the switch, while washing the dishes. The electrical connection should be away
from the water line and should be protected with a conduit pipe to eliminate any shock hazzard.
The disposal should be located away from any wheelchair accessable area.
[Introduction]
[Layout]
[Electrical]
[Refrigerator]
[Dishwasher]
[Microwave]
[Oven]
[Range]
[Sink]
[Countertops]
[Storage]
[References]