Universal Design in Kitchen Furniture: A Case Study on Enhancing Accessibility and Safety for the Elderly and People with Mobility Challenges

Abstract

Universal Design in Kitchen Furniture: A Case Study on Enhancing Accessibility and Safety for the Elderly and People with Mobility Challenges. The paper aims to explore the application of universal design principles in the development of kitchen furniture that promotes accessibility, safety, and independence for the elderly and individuals with mobility challenges. The study presents how innovative product design can contribute to the creation of an inclusive and barrier-free environment, emphasizing the importance of researchand development works in this under-studied area. The results of the field tests that involved 200 participants with various types of disabilities, including people with motor challenges, are presented. The test results showed that the kitchen prototype developed by JATI company is comfortable and functional for the majority of test participants. The prototype has its undeniable strengths, nevertheless, several possible improvements were found during the field tests that could further improve the functionality and accessibility of the furniture for the elderly and individuals with special needs. Those are presented in the paper to inspire other furniture designers and manufacturers to create products that meet the needs and requirements of those essential society groups.