Ovens buying guide

05.For people with a disability

The Independent Living Centre, NSW, provides the following guidelines for buying ovens:

For wheelchair users

• Control panels and door handles should be within easy reach from the wheelchair.
• Wall ovens generally need to be installed at slightly lower than normal height, within the user’s reach range.
• Side-opening doors are more user-friendly.

For upper limb impairment

• Look for doors that are easy to open, and handles that allow a good grip.
• Easy-to-press buttons may be preferable to rotary knobs. Any knobs should be large and easy to turn, with little resistance.
• Choose appliances with shelves and trays that move very easily and aren’t heavy.
• Place the oven at chest height to avoid excessive reaching.

For visual impairment

• Controls that are large and wide-spaced, and labels in a contrasting colour.
• Positive feedback — beeps and electronic lights — can be helpful.

For back pain

• It’s best to minimise bending and reaching, so avoid appliances with controls knobs at the back.
• A wall oven installed at chest height is preferable to a freestanding oven.

For cognitive impairment

• The key is to keep it simple. Labelling that has a very clear and simple picture may be more useful than words, but this will vary for different people.
• Choose appliances with few options for the controls.
• Avoid appliances with auditory feedback if this will confuse the user. However, this can be useful if it successfully reminds the user to do something.