Which of the following is the recommended way to make kitchens or workspaces accessible?

• A. Include reachable storage, clear floor space, knee and toe clearance at counters, accessible controls, and blocking to protect pipes.
• B. Include reachable storage only on upper shelves.
• C. Include reachable storage, clear floor space, knee clearance but not toe clearance, and accessible controls.
• D. Use only decorative finishes with no clearance.

Answer: (C)

Designing kitchens and workspaces for accessibility means creating a space the wheelchair user can approach, reach into, and operate from a seated position. Reachable storage should be within reach from a seated height, not just on upper shelves. Clear floor space is essential so a person can maneuver the chair and position themselves at the counter. Knee clearance under counters allows the user to pull up close to the work surface, enabling proper use of the surface and controls. Accessible controls should be operable from a seated position and within an easy reach range. Toe clearance isn’t required as a separate feature when knee clearance is provided, because the critical access is the ability to sit up and pull up to the counter. Decorative finishes with no clear space, or configurations that block knee space or force reach to high or distant locations, fail to support accessibility.