Making the Grade: Choosing the Best Ramp for
Your Needs
by Kathy Wechsler
Lets face it. The world isnt designed for the wheelchair
user. Our freedom and independence are challenged by steps, stairs,
curbs and other obstacles that threaten to prevent us from accomplishing
everyday tasks and enjoying activities of leisure.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires
that commercial and public businesses provide adequate wheelchair
access. This applies to the design, construction and alteration of
all buildings constructed since 1992. But private residences dont
have to meet ADA requirements. What can we do when we want to visit
a friends inaccessible house or enter old places of business that
arent up to ADA code?
Dont get discouraged: Take action. A ramp is the
most inexpensive way to bridge the gap left behind by stairs. No matter
where you live or where you want to go, theres a ramp available to
fit your needs.
Ramp Rules
The ADA establishes requirements for the dimensions
and dynamics of all wheelchair ramps in order to ensure the safety
of the person using the ramp. Although ramps built for private residences
dont have to meet ADA standards, you may want to follow the ADA guidelines
to ensure safety.
The ADA requires that all wheelchair ramps available
for public access have a maximum slope (or grade) of 12 inches of
length for every 1 inch of ramp height that is, a 1:12 slope or
5-degree angle. Most manual wheelchair users can maneuver a slope
of 1:12, although a 1:20 slope is preferable.
Ramps must be at least 36 inches wide with level landings
at the bottom and top of each run (each section before a change of
direction). Landings should be at least as wide as the ramp with a
minimum of 60 inches of clear space where you can maneuver a chair.
Ramps that rise more than 30 inches must have a landing platform constructed
halfway up.
Ramps and landings with dropoffs should have edge
protectors, such as curbs or walls at least 2 inches high. These projections
prevent people from slipping off the ramp.
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Roll-a-Ramp
offers lightweight and portable access to homes, buildings and
vans.
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Its necessary to install handrails on both sides
of the ramp if its longer than 6 feet or has a rise greater than
6 inches. Handrails must be between 1G inches and 1H inches in diameter,
and the handrail top should be 30 to 34 inches from the ramp floor.
The Right Ramp
ABLEDATA is a federally funded project that provides
objective information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment
to help consumers make informed decisions.
Katherine Belknap, ABLEDATAs project director, offers
some advice on selecting a wheelchair ramp: "The best thing to
do is to determine how youre going to use it, where youre going
to use it and whether its going to be used by someone in a scooter,
a manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair."
You also need to consider your weather. If you live
in a part of the country where snow and ice are common, be prepared
for more problems with outdoor ramps. The ADA points out that outdoor
ramps need to be designed so that water wont accumulate on surfaces.
Belknap notes that all ramps need to have nonslip surfaces.
Ramps available for purchase come in different widths
and lengths and are available in a variety of materials. When deciding
on a ramp, keep in mind your exact needs and whether it will be permanent
or temporary.
To cut down on the slope, you may have to use two
ramps. If space is a concern, a switchback design may be your best
option. Zigzagging the two ramps with a level landing in between will
allow for long enough ramps to meet ADA standards.
"Each ramp is rated for a certain number of pounds,"
says Matt Fremont, a service technician at American Mobility in Tucson,
Ariz. Fremont recommends that you factor in the persons weight as
well as the weight of the wheelchair. If you need assistance maneuvering
up and down the ramp, dont forget to include the weight of your caregiver.
You want to be sure the ramp is strong enough for your specific needs.
Talk to the Experts
Belknap recommends that you consult with your occupational
therapist to "determine what might be best given the situation
and the user need."
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The
aluminum Multifold Ramp from Prairie View Industries features
auto-locking of the folds for easy transport. It can be folded
and carried like a suitcase.
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"If youre going to purchase a ramp, you need
to look at the different kinds that are available," Belknap says.
Also, you should be sure theres enough land available where you want
to install the ramp so it can be long enough for a proper grade. A
ramp thats too steep is dangerous and impractical for those who wish
to use it independently.
According to the ABLEDATA Web site, if you need a
permanent or semipermanent ramp that can be customized to meet your
individual needs, getting a modular ramp may be the way to go. Pricing
on modular ramps depends on how elaborate the ramp system gets, and
can range from $575 to $2,000.
Explain your ramping needs to a contractor and ask
if its more cost-efficient to buy or build the ramp to fit your situation.
Time to Build
Belknap says that building a ramp may be a good idea
for those who wish to make their homes permanently wheelchair-accessible.
Belknap, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was unable
to visit her parents home for several years because their home wasnt
accessible. Wanting to accommodate their daughter and figuring theyd
eventually need a ramp as they aged, her parents had a permanent ramp
built to blend in with their outdoor landscape.
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The
Versa-Ramp from Assistive Technology is easy to fold down from
its out-of-the-way location behind the side doors of any van.
"Modular Safety Ramps from Harmar Mobility offer strength
and durability for everyday home or commercial use. |
The decision of whether to buy or build a home-access
ramp depends on factors such as cost and ease of installation. Building
a ramp can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,200.
If youre thinking of building the ramp, dont overlook
the obvious question: Do you, with family and friends, have the abilities,
skills and know-how to build it yourselves? If you hire a builder,
be sure to do your homework. Talk to friends and acquaintances and
ask them to recommend a qualified contractor who wont overcharge.
Its very important to check with your local building
department before you begin construction; most jurisdictions require
a permit for any kind of construction. You also want to make sure
youre following your states accessibility regulations as well as
ADA specifications.
Good to Go
A permanent wheelchair ramp might not always be practical.
For a quick and easy solution, try a portable ramp. You can take it
with you wherever you go.
Your friends house has stairs? No problem. You can
get a portable ramp that meets all your needs.
Portable ramps are inexpensive yet durable alternatives
that can be transported and carried, depending on the capabilities
of the transporter. According to the ABLEDATA Web site, portable ramps
can weigh as little as 8 pounds per track.
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Modular
Safety Ramps from Harmar Mobility offer strength and durability
for everyday home or commercial use
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There are many different types of portable ramps in
a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum and fiberglass,
Belknap says. Each type comes with its set of values and limitations.
Two-track, channel-style ramps are sturdy, lightweight and effective
for wheelchairs, but they arent well suited for scooters with three
wheels, and some wheelchair users may find them hard to line up. Threshold
ramps, telescoping ramps, roll-up ramps and suitcase ramps are all
designed for easy transport to different locations.
In choosing a portable ramp, Fremont reminds us to
"pay attention to the quality of the ramp and the type of material
its made of." You need to keep in mind the seasonal changes
where you live. Wooden ramps are strong and pleasing to the eye, but
they often wear and crack from the hot sun, causing splinters. Metal
is another strong but heavy material, but it can get very hot in the
summertime. If youre looking for a portable ramp thats lightweight
yet durable, you may want to look into getting a fiberglass or aluminum
ramp.
Most portable ramps are priced from $400 to $700,
depending on their materials, weight capacity, length and width.
A lot of times, portable ramps can be used in places
where permanent access is needed for a lot less expense than a permanent
ramp. Fremont says you can often make a portable ramp permanent by
drilling a hole and placing a pin through the ramp into the hole.
This stabilizes the ramp for permanent use, but you can still pull
out the pin and take the ramp with you.
Portable ramps being used in a public setting must
have a slope of 1:12 and must meet some of the same ADA standards
as permanent ramps.
Alternatives
According to Belknap of ABLEDATA, sometimes a person
with a more severe disability may vote for the independence that only
a lift can offer. Or maybe there isnt enough room for a ramp.
Whether you need a platform lift, seated stair lift
or elevator, be sure to check with your insurance company for assistance,
since lifts are far more expensive than ramps.
Ramp Resources
ABLEDATA
www.abledata.com
(800) 227-0216
ADA Information Line
(800) 514-0301
ADA Standards for Accessible Design
www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/stdspdf.htm
American Ramp Systems
Portable and modular ramps for purchase or rent
(800) 649-5215
www.americanramp.com
Assistive Technology
Portable Versa-Ramp
(800) 478-2363
www.versaramp.com
Fiberglass Ramps
Portable, van, modular and solid platform ramps
(800) 718-7819
www.fiberglassramps.com
Guldmann
Portable and modular ramps and platform lifts
(800) 664-8834
www.guldmann.com
Handi-Ramp
Portable, van, modular and concrete deck ramps
(800) 876-RAMP
(847) 680-7700
www.handiramp.com
Harmar Mobility
Portable ramps
(800) 833-0478
www.harmar.com
Prairie View Industries
Portable, van and modular ramps
(800) 554-7267
www.pviramps.com
Roll-a-Ramp Portable and van ramps
(866) 883-4722
www.rollaramp.com
Rolli Moden Designs
Threshold ramps
(800) 707-2395
www.rolli-moden.com
Travel Ramp
(888) 661-7267
