A new accessible kitchen facility has been launched in Bald Hills to support people with low vision or blindness in developing independent living skills.
Accessible Kitchen Hub Established in Bald Hills
A newly built Kitchen Hub has been officially unveiled at the Guide Dogs Queensland campus in Bald Hills, offering a dedicated space for people with low vision or blindness to build confidence in the kitchen. The project was made possible through the backing of Community Bank Samford, which contributed $30,000 for the development.
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Background and Purpose of the Project
The Kitchen Hub forms part of the organisation’s broader mission to support daily living skills. Designed in consultation with occupational therapists, the space includes accessible appliances and assistive technologies that mirror real-life settings. Therapy sessions in the hub focus on practical cooking tasks in a safe and structured environment.
Features and Practical Use
Occupational therapists will use the facility to deliver tailored training sessions, including cooking classes and product demonstrations. The facility also allows clients to trial various kitchen appliances before deciding on home use, reducing the risk of unsuitable purchases. The kitchen will be used to explore strategies and tools that make cooking safer and more efficient for people with visual impairments.
Continued Support and Additional Funding
An additional $20,000 has been committed to support individual therapy, group training, and lifestyle programs operated from the hub. These include activities like yoga, mosaics, pottery, and self-defence—programs developed specifically for people with low vision or blindness.
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Community Impact in Bald Hills
The hub is expected to have a lasting impact on the local community by offering hands-on learning and support in a controlled setting. Employees and clients involved in the program highlighted the benefit of real-time guidance from specialists when testing new technologies, reducing uncertainty around product suitability.
Looking Ahead
With the new Kitchen Hub now in use, future sessions will focus on increasing client confidence and encouraging independent decision-making. The facility represents a key development in delivering accessible training services at the Bald Hills campus.
Published 18-July-2025
Photo Credit: Pexels Caption: For Illustration Purposes Only
