Cooking may seem like a simple task, but for many people with disabilities, it presents challenges that extend beyond choosing a recipe. Inaccessible kitchens and hard-to-use tools can make meal preparation overwhelming. Yet cooking is more than a practical skill—it fosters independence, creativity, and confidence. By making it accessible, we not only ensure nutritious meals but also the joy of creating something from scratch.
Cooking with Cerebral Palsy
Accessibility in the kitchen begins with thoughtful adaptations. This could mean using adaptive tools like easy-grip utensils, lightweight pans, or cutting boards with stabilizing grips. It could also involve organizing kitchen spaces so that essentials are within easy reach, labeling ingredients with large print or braille, or using smart home technology to control appliances safely. These adjustments don’t just make cooking easier—they make it inclusive.
The YouTube video “Cooking with Cerebral Palsy” from CP Life shows how someone can make cooking easier and safer while living with cerebral palsy. The host uses special tools, non-slip mats, and simple steps to prepare food without accidents. The video has a positive, encouraging vibe and message, showing that with small changes and planning, people with CP, as well as other disabilities, can cook independently and feel confident in the kitchen.
Another key to accessible cooking is simplifying recipes without sacrificing flavor. Step-by-step instructions, clear visuals, and recipes that use fewer ingredients can help make the process less overwhelming. For those who experience fatigue, short prep times and one-pan meals can be game changers. Meanwhile, sensory-friendly recipes—those that minimize loud noises or strong smells—can create a calmer, more enjoyable cooking environment.
Accessible Chef is a free online resource that provides over 300 visual, step-by-step recipes and cooking tools designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as autism and Down syndrome. Founded in 2010 by Anna Moyer as a Girl Scout project for her brother, the site now serves more than 150,000 users worldwide. It offers a recipe creator tool for building custom visual guides, as well as resources on adaptive cooking techniques, assistive technologies, and kitchen accessibility. Widely used by families, educators, and therapists, Accessible Chef promotes independence, life skills, and confidence in the kitchen.
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Speech-Language Research Study
The University of Minnesota is conducting a research study to improve children’s speech-language treatment by gathering client feedback for clinicians. The study seeks children aged 5–10 who currently receive speech-language services, along with one parent or guardian. Children will participate in brief weekly meetings with research staff, while parents will complete short weekly surveys over a 12-week period. Both children and parents will receive up to $60 for their participation.
For more information or to express interest, contact Dr. Kerry Ebert at kebert@umn.edu or 612-624-2528, or visit the survey link provided in the flier below.
Interested in finding out more? Fill out an Interest Form and we'll contact you!
The SPAN Youth Chat
Join with the SPAN Youth Engagement Team virtually on August 6th from 4:15 to 5:00 PM, for a topic about advocacy and youth empowerment. More details to come.
Resources...
Link to SPAN's website: www.spanadvocacy.org
Link to SPAN's Youth in the Know Resource Page: Youth in the Know
We're here for you! Call SPAN if you need assistance: 1-800-654-7726.
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