What Accessibility Looks Like in My Kitchen

So, picture this. I’m in my kitchen doing a normal cleanup. There’s a pot from the night before that still has some grease in it. Before I know it, the pot tips unevenly, courtesy of yours truly haha, and grease spills all over the stovetop.

Suddenly, cooking didn’t feel so inviting anymore.

As someone who is blind, I use touch, sound, and other nonvisual cues to navigate the kitchen. After the spill, I could not simply glance at the stovetop and confirm that everything was clean and safe. The thought of possibly starting a grease fire stayed with me.

For the next few days, I avoided the stove altogether. Instead, I spent way too much money ordering food through delivery apps. It was not sustainable, and honestly, it didn’t feel good. I’m someone who likes to cook the food I already have in my refrigerator, not overspend on takeout.

The added expense was frustrating, but what bothered me most was feeling disconnected from something I normally enjoy. Cooking is part of how I take care of myself, use what I already have, and maintain my independence.

What changed things was discovering a tool that gave me more control without the stress. I started using Emerson Smart’s voice-controlled air fryer, and it made my routine so much easier.

Many modern appliances may look sleek, but when every control is built into a flat touch screen, they are not always usable for someone who cannot see the display. Voice control changes that experience. With this air fryer, I simply say the time or temperature out loud, and it responds. I do not need someone else to read the screen or adjust the controls for me.

Whether I’m reheating leftovers, cooking chicken, or making something quick for my son and I, I have another way to prepare food independently. There’s no worrying about a messy stovetop or fumbling with touch-screen controls.

For me, it’s not just another gadget. It’s about feeling safe, confident, and calm in my own kitchen again.

Check out this video of me in the kitchen testing my new favorite appliance.

If you’ve experienced a similar challenge and would like to try the air fryer, visit Emerson Smart’s website and use code Lex20 to receive 20% off any product, including the air fryer.

This is what accessibility can look like in everyday life. It does not call attention to what I cannot do. It gives me another way to do what I was already capable of doing. This is truly accessibility at its finest!

‍