Kitchen and bathroom displays featuring the latest in assistive technology are on display at the community-based Independent Living Centre NSW (ILCNSW).
Height-adjustable cupboards, benches, sinks and work surfaces that can be raised and lowered to enhance the safety and comfort of people with a disability and their carer, are being showcased at ILCNSW’s new Westpoint Blacktown model apartments.
Kitchen and bathroom solutions from Enware Australia are among a broad range of innovative technologies, which have been assembled by the ILCNSW to expand people’s awareness of the choices and possibilities available in adaptive interior solutions.
The kitchen display at the ILCNSW highlights innovations such as height-adjustable sink and cooktop, combined with height-adjustable wall cabinets that a wheelchair user or the elderly can easily reach.
Standard vertical movement of the kitchen benchtop and diagonal movement for wall cupboards is achieved via slimline electric motors, or alternatively, can be specified with a manually operated system.
ILCNSW’s Client Services Manager Harriet Korner in the kitchen featuring height-adjustable technologies
“We are an enthusiastic supporter of the Independent Living Centre NSW, which is helping both younger and older people with disabilities find their personal and individual solution to enhance independent living,” says Enware Technical Specification Specialist, Mr Sandor Franken.
“Some 21 per cent of Australians - or more than one in five people - have some form of disability,” says Mr Franken. “The total includes a rising number of younger and older people who are mobility impaired, who may have walking or standing limitations that require them to sit while working; use a mobility aid such as crutches, canes or walkers; or use a wheelchair.
“When younger and older disabled or frail people cannot use kitchen facilities because of height or reach problems, the trend these days is to redesign the facilities around the person rather than require the person to adapt to the facilities.”
Mr Franken says that points taken into consideration when designing the adaptable kitchens to suit either a wheelchair user or an ambulant carer included looking at the access under benchtops for wheelchairs and the location of preparation, cooking and cleaning stations.
Other items from Enware on display at the ILCNSW include a padded adjustable-height adult shower chair, which is aimed at those people who need a safe and secure platform to sit on whilst showering.
Also on show is a wall-mounted toilet with folding support arms from Enware’s IFO range of sanitary ware, which demonstrates the benefits of having the rails fitted directly to the pan and not the wall.
Finally, the washbasin is dressed with one of Enware’s SQX user-friendly taps that can be either electronically actuated or single-lever operated using elbow, palm or wrist activation.
The tapware can also be combined with Enware’s Aquablend thermostatic mixing valves, which deliver water at a pre-set temperature and avoid the risk of scalding.
