UD Challenge: Phase II

What Can I do to Implement UD in my Kitchen?

Before...

This is my kitchen cabinet now... I can't reach what's up there!

When thinking about my kitchen cabinet I thought of many of the UD principals that I need to try and adhere to when thinking of the most optimal high cabinet solution. I need to adhere to: “Equitable Use” because I want my cabinets to be appealing to all users and provide the same opportunity of use for everyone; “Tolerance for Error,” because I want to eliminate isolation of the items up there, and find a safe way to access them without having to think twice about how I am going to do that; “Low Physical Effort,” so that everything can be accessed easily as if it was on the bottom shelf, not needing a step stool or standing on my tippy toes (hoping nothing falls on you while you are grabbing something): and most importantly the “Size and Space for Approach and Use,” which provides a clear line of sight and makes reaching accessible for any seated or standing user.

Therefore, I thought of these possible solutions:

1. Don’t use it! (not a plausible option).

2. Use a step stool, which is not applicable to everyone, and a real hassle.

3. Changing my cabinets so that they’re glass and I can see what’s up there.

4. Using a “Pick up reaching tool,” which is long enough for someone to use if they use a wheel chair. It looks like a long arm that has a trigger you can squeeze, which activates an open and close motion on a grip at the end (much like a large hand).

5. Slide out shelves to use grabber more efficiently. This is an in expensive solution that you can attach to your cabinets that are already there and a tray on wheels pulls out. (this makes the grabber easier to use as well).

6. The best idea I think personally is the electric cabinet that comes down also! This is a cabinet that is specially designed to have shelves that have a gas assisted lifting and lowering mechanism. (You press a button and your bottom shelf comes down 10 inches!). This can be found at Home Depot!

After...

"Pick Up Reaching Tool" This acts like an extended arm. It helps reaching items that are high up. ($14.99 on Amazon)

This is a pull out cabinet drawer. I think this is a great and in expensive solution, which can even be combined with the reaching tool! This makes seeing what is in your cabinet much easier, and makes those items more attainable! ($49 at Bed Bath and Beyond)

My favorite, and what I believe to be the ultimate solution is call the "Rev-A-Shelf 36 in. Pull-Down Shelf" from Home Depot. It's $200, but it brings the shelf to you! With a push of a button, the shelf, which is a gas assisted lifting and lowering mechanism, lowers 10 inches! This makes the shelf come down to you, so you can see and REACH everything that is on the shelf. Genius!

See How it Works!