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New kitchen fully accessible for disabled students

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Design consultant Adam Thomas in the new kitchen at the Munster Centre

Food studies student Mike Griffiths and food studies tutor Rosemary Samuel try out the new kitchen

A state-of-the-art kitchen, which is fully accessible for disabled students, has opened at the Munster adult education centre, in Filmer Road, Fulham.

Design consultant Adam Thomas, a wheelchair user and specialist in designing kitchens for older and disabled people, believes the Munster Centre kitchen is second to none and among his proudest achievements.

The £100,000 kitchen is used for food studies courses ranging from cake decoration and bakery to Caribbean cookery, French provincial cookery and haute cuisine. It comprises four work stations, or mini-kitchens, with one of the work stations fully kitted out for people with disabilities, as well as general features to make learning cookery easier for older people and people with disabilities.

The array of special features include:
- hobs, a sink and work surfaces which lower at the push of a button
- waterfall edges on work surfaces and sink to prevent spillages on users and the floor
- colour scheme suitable for people with visual impairments throughout
- side-opening oven door and pull-out shelf below oven for putting hot dishes on
- induction electric hobs for greater control and safety
- easy-to-reach cupboards and controls
- drawers on easy-to-open ball-bearing runners
- plenty of space for wheelchair users to manoeuvre.

The new kitchen was paid for with a grant from the London West Learning and Skills Council and designed by Adam Thomas, from Design Matters, based near High Wycombe.

Adam, who turned to specialist kitchen design after breaking his back in a road accident, said: "I am very proud of this new kitchen and I think staff at the Munster Centre and the borough's adult education service should be too. I think other councils should come and look at this and see what is possible."

Cllr David Williams, deputy for education, said: "This first-rate kitchen is a major boost for our food studies courses and our adult education service, which is one of the best in the country. Adam has done an amazing job and the kitchen is a delight for everyone who uses it. We are grateful to the Learning and Skills Council for their support in making this happen."