Design for Elderly and Disabled Environments:

1. Design for Elderly and Disabled Environments: Laundry Part 6 of 10 Making Homes More Comfortable and Accessible

2. Common Barriers Remodeled Laundry Area Appliances Utility Sinks Work Counter Additional Changes Contents

3. Common Barriers • Storage shelves or wall cabinets are out of reach. • Knob handles on storage cabinets are difficult to grasp. • Rear-mounted controls are difficult to reach • Utility sink is in an awkward location.

4. Common Barriers • Knob handles are difficult to use on utility sink. • Top-loading washers require awkward reaching. • Work counter lacks knee space.

5. Remodeled Laundry Area • Storage shelves should be 48” maximum from the floor. • Loop handles are easier to use. • Lowered or adjustable work counters are accessible for users.

6. Remodeled Laundry Area • Large print operating instructions are easy for everyone to read. • Appliance doors have space to swing back and open wide. • Adequate lighting improves use of appliances • Additional storage is provided in raised platform.

7. Appliances • Front-mounted controls are easiest to reach. • Best to provide 180º swinging room for dryer door. • A side swinging door with adequate spacing is best for accessibility.

8. Appliances • Raised platform can also be used for storage.

9. Utility Sinks • Consider replacing faucet handles with levers or asymmetrical handles. • Locate a new sink so it can be accessed from a parallel position.

10. Work Counter • Consider replacing traditional existing work counters with fixed base cabinets. • Consider replacing work countertops with the adjustable countertops.

11. Additional Changes • Use grabbers or reachers • Use rolling carts • Install loop handle hardware • Install a platform