Kitchen Tips for People Who are Blind or Partially Sighted

If you are blind or partially sighted, cooking can seem like a difficult task. However, by adapting your kitchen and how you prepare food, you can still enjoy cooking!

• Use color and contrast. If you have low vision, color and contrast can help you see when cooking.
• It can help to use a colored bowl to hold food of a contrasting color.
• It is easier to see light-colored food like white onions on a dark cutting board and darker food, like asparagus, on a light board.

A light cutting board works great for dark produce | Photo by Elizabeth Layman

• It is easier to see plugs and sockets if they are a different color than the walls and counters.
• Have good central lighting, so you can make the most out of any sight you have.
• Have lights under cupboards that shine onto areas where you usually work.
• Use a clip-on spotlight.
• Talking equipment can be really helpful. There are many options for this type of equipment, so check out our Accessible Kitchen Tools and Devices list for some helpful links.
• If you buy the same type of product often, write the directions on the package in large print or record them with a tape recorder.
• If everything in your kitchen is always put back afterwards, this will help you find things. Make sure that everyone who uses your kitchen puts things back where they got them.
• Have a system for identifying items. Put one rubber band on cans of corn and two rubber bands on cans of peas. Alternately, put Braille labels on items.

Perhaps, two rubber bands can signify black beans | Photo by Elizabeth Layman

• Put your flour and sugar in different sized containers.
• Mark the controls on your oven with brightly colored marker, paint, or strips of Velcro so you can tell what temperature it is on.
• Time things you cook, and they will turn out almost the same each time. You can use a raised line timer or a talking watch to determine how long something should be cooked.
• Listen to the food you are cooking. If you pay close attention, you will find bacon sounds different as it is becoming fully cooked.
• To avoid burning yourself on the oven or stove, use oven mitts that come further up your arm.
• Keep handles of pans on the stove turned in the same direction, so that you avoid bumping them and burning yourself.

Turn handles inward | Photo by Elizabeth Layman

If you’re interested in reading more, go to our impressive list of Accessible Kitchen Tools and Devices or click on our resources listed below:

• Everyday Living 
• Voice Yahoo