DESIGN FOR LIFE

Adam Thomas has over 43 years’ experience designing accessible kitchens. He sustained a T3 spinal cord injury after a motorbike accident when he was 17. Adam is a disabled rights campaigner and former SIA trustee

ADAM THOMAS Independent design consultant adamthomasconsultancy.com

What essential aspects should SCI people consider in adapting/ designing a kitchen?

On a practical level, think about a couple of points that will make life much easier and safer. The first is always having a worktop next to an oven so you can lift things seamlessly without having to reposition your chair or take a step. The other is trying to have a continuous worktop which includes oven, hob and sink – it reduces having to lift heavy hot things from one surface to another.

If you have the budget, I recommend a rise and fall worktop with a waterfall edge as it helps with all stages of life, and different height chairs make the kitchen accessible for everyone.

What issues face your disabled clients in designing a kitchen to meet their needs?

We’re still finding that, for those clients receiving settlements, there’re unrealistic amounts being specified for kitchens. Rise and fall worktops and waterfall edges –which stop liquids spilling – these all add to the price but are things that every disabled person should have specified for them.

In some cases, people are considering digging into money they’ve put aside for their care plans, in order to fund a fully accessible kitchen. That shouldn’t be a decision they have to make.

There are many positive things we can do to make disabled people more independent in their kitchens. I do most of the cooking at home – I love creating meals and cook from fresh daily so I really know from a user’s point of view what works. Having used kitchens that aren’t designed correctly, I know how frustrating it can be. For example, if you’re a manual wheelchair user, and you’re holding something hot straight from the oven, how do you get that to the worktop? You’ve either got to put it on your lap and risk scalding yourself or ask someone for help. A specialised shelf which slides from under the oven solves this problem.

What about those without a big budget?

Good design shouldn’t cost a penny more. I’ve worked out ten design principles over the years. A lot of accessible design is formulaic but it’s up to the designer to be creative and work within those principles. It’s about making choices based on your budget, for example, some people might choose to spend it on granite worktops – but you can also do it with laminate for a fraction of the price.

How far has accessible kitchen design come since you’ve been working in the industry?

It’s come a long way – but there’s still a way to go. When I was brought on as a consultant for Symphony, they asked for a wish list of things every accessible kitchen should have. They have put the whole list into practice with their Freedom range.

To have that in place and to have recognition from the industry makes me feel genuinely proud.