Barrier-free HDB kitchen-design for wheelchair users

Abstract

Barrier-free kitchen is imperative for disabled persons, especially when they live independently. This research investigated the physical barriers to wheelchair users in small HDB kitchens in Singapore. First, field investigations of some kitchens used by wheelchair users were conducted to identify the primary physical barriers. Secondly, a pilot study was conducted on the reaches of 32 wheelchair users. The layouts of the HDB kitchens from 1978-1999 were analyzed. Finally, based on the measuring results of the wheelchair usersa?? reaches and the schematic analyses, three mock-up kitchens were designed and tested. From the tests two barrier-free kitchens were derived. Some recommendations on the detailed design of the barrier-free kitchen were offered. These findings are valuable and applicable for the HDB barrier-free kitchen design.