IN THE KITCHEN

Countertops can be painted to contrast with dishes, cookware, and other items. Any paint or hardware store can tell you which products would be appropriate for painting a countertop.

Here are some other tips on how to make the kitchen easier to use and safer for someone with vision loss.

Kitchen Checklist:

  • Paint or replace electrical outlet covers in a colour that contrasts with the wall.
  • Instead of painting, outline counter edges and electrical outlets with wide tape of a contrasting colour.
  • If the stove surface is a light colour, consider replacing stainless steel pots and pans with dark-coloured ones.
  • Use light-coloured dishes on a dark tablecloth, or vice versa.
  • Mark frequently used settings on the oven or other dials with a thick swipe of bright nail polish.
  • Relabel jars and canned goods using a thick black marker and index cards, which can be reused.
  • Remove small throw rugs from the kitchen - they are not easily seen and may be a tripping hazard.
  • Keep cupboard doors and drawers closed at all times, and make sure that everything is always put away in its proper place.
  • Use the "clock method" to identify where certain foods are located on a plate. For example, "The rice is at three o'clock, and the beans at seven o'clock."

FIG 1. Large-print labels on canisters can make cooking much easier.

Image of large-print labels on canisters on a kitchen shelf. The large-print labels on these canisters can make cooking much easier.

FIG 2. The "clock method" makes locating food on a plate easy.

Image of plate with clock numbers - the rice is at 3 o'clock, the beans are at 7 o'clock. The clock method makes locating food on a plate easy.