| A wheelchair ramp is an inclined plane that can be | | | | solutions for ADA compliance and are usually bolted or |
| used instead of stairs by wheelchair users as well as | | | | cemented in place. These are best suited for new |
| people pushing strollers or carts. The Americans with | | | | buildings or halls. Semi- permanent ramps simply rest |
| Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires that a building or | | | | on top of the ground or padding and are commonly |
| structure be accessible to wheelchair users and | | | | used for short-term solutions. Portable ramps are |
| therefore a wheelchair ramp is needed. The | | | | made of lightweight materials and can fold for ease of |
| wheelchair ramp gives a wheelchair user more | | | | transport. Semi-permanent ramps or portable ramps |
| accessibility where a vertical distance must be | | | | can be seen in seasonal buildings or their adjacent |
| traversed. | | | | bathrooms - think of outdoor summer concert halls or |
| New buildings are often required by law to meet ADA | | | | construction sites. |
| standards using structures like wheelchair ramps. | | | | When installing a wheelchair ramp you must match the |
| Sometimes it is necessary to add structures like | | | | proper length of the ramp to its particular use. For |
| ramps or elevators to older buildings so that people | | | | residential use, first determine the amount of incline |
| with wheelchairs, canes, walkers and even those with | | | | your electric wheelchair can tolerate. This statistic |
| walking disabilities not supported by technology can | | | | should be listed in your owner's manual. Note that ADA |
| gain access to a particular entrance. | | | | requirements and UK guidelines for a self propelling |
| For public transportation the construction of low floor | | | | wheelchair vary. |
| trams and buses is being encouraged by the federal | | | | For loading unoccupied wheelchairs the ADA |
| government. In the meantime, there are several | | | | recommends a 3:12 slope. This means for every three |
| solutions on the private market that incorporate | | | | inches of vertical rise you are required to have a least |
| wheelchair ramps. Vans equipped with wheelchair | | | | one foot of ramp (i.e. 12 inches). In this instance, |
| ramps are commonly seen at senior centers and | | | | unoccupied means nobody is sitting in the wheelchair |
| schools where they are used to transport people with | | | | or scooter at the time of loading. |
| disabilities to and from public events. Many dealers sell | | | | For business use the ADA recommends a 1:12 slope |
| vans with these ramps already attached - in fact it | | | | which means that every one inch of vertical rise |
| may be easier to purchase a new van rather than | | | | requires one for the ramp. For example 24 inches of |
| modify your old van to accommodate a wheelchair | | | | rise demands a 24-foot-ramp mini1mum. |
| ramp. There are many varieties and styles of | | | | The UK has its own set of guidelines which are more |
| automotive ramps including the side lift ramp, the | | | | complicated because they integrate the metric and |
| in-floor ramp, the rear lift ramp, and the side folding | | | | English terms of measurement. |
| ramp. In addition, there are vans that actually lower | | | | Constructing a wheelchair ramp on your own is no |
| down to the road when loading and unloading | | | | easy task. It helps to seek professional consultation to |
| passengers. Pricing for these vans varies by model, | | | | make sure you are in compliance with regulations. It |
| year, and number of luxury accessories. | | | | takes a lot of time and work to make sure the ramp |
| There are a number of varieties of wheelchair ramps | | | | functions safely in a home or commercial environment. |
| which can be used for different purposes. Wheelchair | | | | In addition, you will want to take aesthetic |
| ramps come in permanent, semi-permanent, and | | | | considerations into account to maximize the utility of |
| portable versions. Permanent ramps are long-term | | | | this important device. |