![]() The American Disability Association (ADA) guidelines require ramps to be at least 36 inches wide. Size might vary depending on your circumstances, “but don’t skimp on length and jeopardize safety,” says Rasmussen. “So if you take your measuring tape and you have 10 inches up to the door, you’d want a ramp that’s 120 inches long.”įollowing this rule of thumb helps ensure that the ramp isn’t too steep for someone to safely maneuver up and down. Size and Lengthįor every inch of height change, there should be at least 12 inches of ramp run, says Rasmussen. Many people who use wheelchairs have a permanent ramp installed at home and a portable ramp to use when they travel. “Or, if you’re hosting Christmas dinner and a person using a chair needs to get into your house.” Portable ramps aren’t intended for long-term, constant use, and they’re generally cheaper than permanent ramps. “They would typically be used in situations where a person needs to get into a public building without an accessible entrance,” adds Rasmussen. Portable ramps are smaller ramps that are easy to transport-you can carry one with you in your vehicle or fold it up and store it in your garage. In that case, a temporary metal ramp may be a better option. “If you live in a neighborhood that’s governed by an association, it might be difficult to get permission to have a permanent ramp installed in the front of your house,” says Rasmussen. Permanent or Portable?īoth can work well, depending on your area and needs, says Carisa Rasmussen, founder and owner of Accessible Homes in Minnesota. Think carefully about which location makes the most sense, especially if you’re having a permanent ramp installed. Sometimes it makes more sense to use a back door or install your ramp in the garage. ![]() “For lots of people, it’s their front door,” says Creech. These ramps require a building permit and can’t be adjusted once they’re installed. Permanent ramps, which are usually made out of concrete or wood and built on-site.Often made of aluminum, they’re larger and more lightweight than other ramp styles. Modular ramps, which are typically used in private residences and are made in sections that can be broken down and reassembled elsewhere.They “fold up and can be carried in a fashion like their namesake,” says Creech. Suitcase ramps, which have a built-in handle for portability and are designed to be used in entryways with stairs.Folding ramps, which are portable ramps that fold up and can be used on the go easily.They also help with navigating curbs and other raised landings. Threshold ramps, which are lightweight, portable ramps about 1 to 6 inches high, are commonly used to help people through doorways that are higher than the walking surface.There’s a variety of different types of wheelchair ramps. Here’s what to consider when looking for a wheelchair ramp. “Like people, no two ramps are exactly alike,” says Nina Creech, senior vice president of operations at People Working Cooperatively’s Whole Home Innovation Center, an accessibility modification service in Cincinnati, Ohio. While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. This compensation comes from two main sources. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Health site. The Forbes Health editorial team is independent and objective.
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