Overview
Daily meal preparation is challenging for nearly everyone—it can be complicated, time-sensitive, and physically demanding. While a disability can make cooking for yourself feel even more overwhelming, a simple tool or strategy can often be all it takes to make it easier, safer, and much less stressful. In this discussion live from the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) Tech Kitchen, we’ll show examples of a wide variety of low- and high-tech assistive kitchen tool options. These include: commercially available adaptive tools, creative uses and modifications for standard tools, individualized fabrication of tools, and tools that use voice control and AI features.
ASL interpreters and captioning will be available for the the live event.
Learning Objectives
- Identify at least ten different kitchen tools or tool adaptations that may increase access to safe meal preparation.
- Identify at least two possibilities for tool acquisition.
- Identify at least one strategy for the prevention of tool abandonment.
Strand(s)
AT for Physical Access and Participation; Aging & AT
Target Audience
AT Specialists; Caregivers; Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities; Consultants/Trainers; Curriculum and Instruction Individuals; Disability Services; Educators; Faculty/Instructors – Higher Education; Family Members; Government/Non-Profit Agencies; Occupational Therapists; Paraprofessionals; Physical Therapists; Rehabilitation Counselors; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators; Teachers of the Visually Impaired; Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing; Transition Coordinators; Visual Impairment Specialists; Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists
Experience Level
Introductory
Content Area
Professional Area
Session Delivery Format
Live stream presentation on October 28, 2025, from 3-4:30 pm EST
Continuing Education Credits
For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Learning Center CEUs
This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
IACET
For: 0.15 CEU Units or 1.5 CEU Hours.
Speaker/s:
Elizabeth Wright
Illinois Assistive Technology Program, Tech Kitchen Coordinator/Chef Instructor
BIOGRAPHY
Elizabeth Wright is a professionally trained chef with a background in culinary and hospitality management. She also holds the Assistive Technology Professional certification. She joined Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) as the Chef Instructor in 2022 to assist in the development of the Tech Kitchen, a program designed to aid independence in meal preparation in the home through the use of assistive technology.
Relevant Financial and Non-Financial Relationships: Receives salary from employment at Illinois Assistive Technology Program.
Callie Estes
Illinois Assistive Technology Program, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
BIOGRAPHY
Callie Estes is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant that holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia University in Mequon, WI. She is currently pursuing her graduate studies in Occupational Therapy at North Central College in Naperville, IL. She joined the Illinois Assistive Technology Program in 2024 as a full-time Tech Kitchen staff member, where she supports individuals in building skills for greater independence in the kitchen through the use of adaptive tools, strategies, and assistive technology.