Wheelchair Ramps: Plans, Designs and Information

Introduction

A wheelchair ramp is defined as an inclined plane installed in addition to or instead of stairs. Ramps permit wheelchair users, as well as people pushing strollers, carts, or other wheeled objects, to more easily access a building. Wheelchair ramps (or other ways for wheelchair users to access a building, such as a wheelchair lift) are required in new construction for public accommodations in the United States by the Americans with Disabilities Act. A wheelchair ramp can be permanent, semi-permanent or portable. Permanent ramps are designed to be bolted or otherwise attached in place. Semi-permanent ramps rest on top of the ground or concrete pad and are commonly used for the short term. The wheelchair ramp gives a wheelchair user more accessibility where a vertical distance must be traversed.

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Types of Wheelchair Ramps

• Semi-permanent ramps - Rest on top of the ground or padding and are commonly used for short-term solutions.
• Permanent ramps - Long-term solutions for disability act compliance and are usually bolted or cemented in place. These are best suited for new buildings or halls.
• Portable ramps - Made of lightweight materials and can fold for ease of transport. It is important to find a variety that has a skid resistance surface. They are available in various metals and aluminum blends that are easy to maintain and clean. There are quite a variety of portable vehicle wheelchair ramps available. Some are just ramps, while others have handrails. Deluxe versions have handrails on both sides. The old style of track wheelchair ramps is still available. These have one ramp per set of wheels for the wheelchair and are most commonly used with vehicle access.
• Vehicle Ramps - Vans equipped with wheelchair ramps are commonly seen at senior centers and schools, where they are used to transporting people with disabilities to and from public events. Many dealers sell vans with these ramps already attached - in fact, it may be easier to purchase a new van rather than modify your old van to accommodate a wheelchair ramp.
• Track Wheelchair Ramps - Designed to line up with the wheels of the wheelchair, some of which use a telescoping design that extends to be used on steps, vans, or curbs. For public transportation, the construction of low floor trams and buses is being encouraged by the federal government.
• Suitcase portable wheelchair ramps - Standard, single-folding units that fold in half and are carried like a suitcase with handles.

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What Angle or Slope Should a Wheelchair Access Ramp Be?

In America, for loading unoccupied wheelchairs, the ADA recommends a 3:12 slope. This means for every three inches of vertical rise, you are required to have at least one foot of ramp. For business use the ADA recommends a 1:12 slope which means that every one inch of vertical rise requires one for the ramp. For example, 24 inches (60.96 cm) of rise demands a 24-foot-ramp minimum. The U.K. has its set of guidelines, which are more complicated because they integrate both the metric and English terms of measurement.

Your state or provincial government is a good place to start if you're looking for more information on how to make your business more accessible. Often your local government can provide tips on which features are the most effective and on how to install them.

Product appraisals and trials involving wheelchair users have highlighted the fact that no single ramp design met all the needs of the users, though wheelchair ramps were available in a diverse range of designs and configurations.

Things to Keep in Mind When Designing an Access Ramp

Some common problems associated with permanent ramps include inclines which are too steep or uneven, improperly supported slopes and landings, lack of railings and side barriers or ramps which attain some height. Difficulties associated to portable ramps include too short a length making the ramp too steep, unevenly placed ramps which can cause instability, improperly anchoring which can cause the portable ramp to slip off its upper surface whether it's a van floor, porch or any other elevated platform.

Construction or placement of a ramp should consider a manual wheelchair user's upper body strength to push up a steeper incline, the stress on the motor of a scooter or power wheelchair of such an incline, and the tipping potential posed by descending a steeper ramp.

There must be a level landing at the top of the ramp and where the ramp meets the ground. The landing can be an existing surface such as a porch or sidewalk, or it can be constructed as part of the ramp. Landings should be at least the same width as the ramp and 60 inches (152.4 cm) long to accommodate the entire wheelchair. If the landing is in front of a doorway, it should also provide enough space for you to open the door.

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