Kitchen Accessibility for Persons with Cerebral Palsy

Accessible design generally refers to houses or other dwellings that meet specific requirements for accessibility. These requirements are found in state, local and model building codes, and regulations such as the Fair Housing Amendments of 1988, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards A117.1-1986 and Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS). These laws dictate standards dimensions and characteristics for such features as door widths, clear space for wheelchair mobility, audible and visual signals, grab bars switch and outlet height, and more. The aim of the study: to determine kitchen accessibility for persons with cerebral palsy based on International Environmental Assessment – Home assessment form. The second aim is to create the students role in practice (Faculty of Health Studies in Sarajevo, Study of Physiotherapy) in subject of Occupational therapy. Patients and methods: The research was conducted through Project: „Occupational therapy for persons with cerebral palsy“. Sample was consisted of 30 respondents, members of the Association of persons with cerebral palsy of Canton Sarajevo, age from 4 up to 53; 14 male (46,67 %) and 16 (53,33 %) female. The age of eighteen clients (60 %) was under 18 years. Results: From 30 clients with cerebral palsy, 20 (66.7 %) are wheelchair users, 7 (23.3 %) clients have independent mobility and 3 (10 %) clients require the use of particular device. From 20 clients with wheel chairs, for 10 (50 %) of them height of kitchen tables allows wheelchairs access. Refrigerator is accessible for 14 (46.7 %) clients, who can independently open the door and take the food. Refrigerator is not accessible for 16 (53.3 %) clients. Discussion: In Great Brittan one Study shows that over 4 million people are persons with mobility disabilities, but there are only 80 000 accessible homes. Conclusion: Above mentioned aims are realized. Private homes should be adapted according to individual needs of person with disabilities. Multidisciplinary team should lead that planning, and find such design solutions that overcome the problem of architectural barriers for people with disabilities to improve their quality of life. The member of that team should be occupational therapist. Results provide a baseline for further research into the needs of these families and improvement of their quality of life.