Cooking Utensils for the Disabled

No one knows more than the disabled individual how difficult it can be to work in the kitchen, whether it's cooking, washing dishes, or other chores that need to be done in the kitchen. There is a growing selection of cooking utensils that are designed especially for the disabled or aged to use in the kitchen to perform the most basic tasks more easily.

Handicaps

Persons with disabilities may have different handicaps when it comes to the kitchen. Deafness, partial and total blindness, paralysis or stroke all cause different problems in the kitchen.

Blind

Partial or totally blind individuals have products available that enable them to be independent in the kitchen. Cups with liquid overflow detectors on the side help the blind by sounding a noise when the liquid is close to the top of the cup. Timers will larger numerals allow partially blind individuals the ability to time items that are cooking. Braille cookbooks are available for those that are blind, enabling them to read a recipe.

Deaf

Deaf individuals will have a stove alert that can be placed on the stove and will emit brightly colored lights to alert the deaf person that the stovetop burners or oven is on. These alerts can also be placed on the microwave or any electrical appliance.

Physical

Stroke or paralyzed patients have several choices for kitchen utensils. A can opener that attaches to the top of cans and is battery operated allows the disabled to place the can opener on the can, turn the opener on and open it for. Long handled forks, spatulas and spoons allow a wheelchair-bound individual the ability to stir things on the stove as they are cooking. A hand held long gripper allows the individual to be able to reach and grab things in the shelves that they would not otherwise be able to get.

Other Utensils

Eating utensils will have large grips for easier handling while eating. Decorative divided plates allow the user the ability to have a wall on the plate in order to push the food onto the fork or the spoon for easier access to eating. Preparation boards are also available that grip to the table or counter top and will have a lip on two sides for the ability to prepare food without it falling off.