[stu]

I am currently involved in a design programme at university that is seeking to find unmet needs in a kitchen environment. Since there are hundreds of useless products that are unneccessary already in the kitchen this task is somewhat challenging at first.

On further research and with my younger brother suffering with a C5/C6 spinal injury it has become apparent that there may be an abundance of unmet need for users of this nature; both quadraplegic and tetraplegic. Before his accident my brother was set to study becoming a chef at one of the UK's best colleges, but now this may be more difficult than planned. Anything to help him realise this dream would be a sure fire bonus.

I would be grateful of any other information, opinions, thoughts or even ideas of what is really needed in the kitchen to aid a disabled user in preparing and cooking food for themselves. Any task or process is valid from opening packaging through to throwing away waste food or even washing and putting away plates.

From speaking to some spinally injured guys at a wheelchair rugby training session, many seem to cope well within the kitchen. Some idea's arose where removing hot items from the oven was concerned. Are there any products out there to combat this or does someone else have to remove the cooked food?

From what i have seen so far there only seems to be a small number of products available and not too much going on in the way of cutting edge design for these users real needs. Again, any input or opinions are welcomed.

Regards Stu

[Brent]

Hello Stu,

I don't know if this is much of an idea for you but it has helped me out.

I had two loop handles placed on pots and pans. Handles are like what you find on paint cans and cast kettles. Two handles instead of one in the center seemed to make the pans more stable and balanced. It allows me to lift the pan with one arm and balance myself with my other, placing on the stove or putting in the oven.

On cooking utensils, maybe a handle that is shaped like a U, it fits in your palm and loops over the back of your hand as a brace. Haven't tried this yet.

Good luck with your ideas and work. Nice to see someone looking at more ways to make life simpler.

[wheels460]

stu, on Oct 18 2007, 03:53 AM, said:

I am currently involved in a design programme at university that is seeking to find unmet needs in a kitchen environment. Since there are hundreds of useless products that are unneccessary already in the kitchen this task is somewhat challenging at first.

On further research and with my younger brother suffering with a C5/C6 spinal injury it has become apparent that there may be an abundance of unmet need for users of this nature; both quadraplegic and tetraplegic. Before his accident my brother was set to study becoming a chef at one of the UK's best colleges, but now this may be more difficult than planned. Anything to help him realise this dream would be a sure fire bonus.

I would be grateful of any other information, opinions, thoughts or even ideas of what is really needed in the kitchen to aid a disabled user in preparing and cooking food for themselves. Any task or process is valid from opening packaging through to throwing away waste food or even washing and putting away plates.

From speaking to some spinally injured guys at a wheelchair rugby training session, many seem to cope well within the kitchen. Some idea's arose where removing hot items from the oven was concerned. Are there any products out there to combat this or does someone else have to remove the cooked food?

From what i have seen so far there only seems to be a small number of products available and not too much going on in the way of cutting edge design for these users real needs. Again, any input or opinions are welcomed.

Regards Stu

I had to have most of my kitchen redone and this site helped me a lot http://www.geapplian...iversal_design/ they have went the extra mile in making things easier for me.