Posted on June 4, 2026
– Advanced Assistive Tech Features Will Help People With Disabilities Build Independence –
June 3, 2026
Baltimore – Penn-Mar Human Services, the region’s leading provider of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), has unveiled a cutting-edge smart kitchen, part of the nonprofit’s recently opened Penn-Mar West facility at 216 Washington Heights Medical Center, in Westminster, Maryland. The kitchen is part of the new 7,500-square-foot, two-story, multi-purpose space that was officially opened in May 2026.
Funded by Civitan and The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD), this fully accessible, assistive technology (AT) enabled learning environment utilizes a myriad of features to make culinary tasks both more inviting and accessible. Some of the most impressive features include:
· Smart cooking sensors that promote safer meal preparation and greater independence
· Voice-activated appliances that make kitchen tasks easier to control and navigate
· Induction cooking features that allow cooking without open flames or extreme heat
· Accessible cabinets with pull-down shelves for easier reach and safer access
Beyond skill building, the kitchen will also serve as a real-world environment for Penn-Mar to evaluate emerging assistive technology for use in its residential homes. Penn-Mar continues to make progress on its current and new house transition projects and in the past 12 months, the non-profit has purchased two new homes in Maryland and built another. The intent is to better support people to age in place and expand the residential offerings in Carroll County.
“This kitchen is a perfect example of our commitment to greater independence, dignity, and equity for the people we support,” says Penn-Mar CEO Greg Miller. “Knowing how to prepare your own meals safely is a major step toward independence for anyone. But this kitchen does more than just teach, it helps us really see and understand which technology is going to be most useful in a residential setting for the people we support. Any technology is only as good as how viable it is, and this gives us a great advantage in making sure we’re investing in tools that really will make a difference.”
For more information about the kitchen or to tale a tour, please contact Roger Mecca at roger@vitaminisgood.com.
About Penn-Mar Human Services
Penn-Mar Human Services is a nonprofit that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to Live Courageously, whether that’s securing a job, being an active member of their community, building independence, or developing new relationships. Penn-Mar accomplishes this by supporting people on their own unique personal journeys. Founded in 1981, Penn-Mar operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. They support 400 adults with disabilities daily through an array of customizable services. www.penn-mar.org.
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