Tuesday, April 15, 2014

You Can Get Disabled Ramps In Many Different Sizes

By Anita Ortega


One of the biggest problems for people with mobility issues is being able to cope with steps. This seems obvious if they are in a wheelchair, or travel about using an electric scooter, however steps also cause problems for people with visual impairments, or that use crutches. Going up one step might not be a problem, but multiple steps might make their destination inaccessible.

If you are in charge of a public building, or an area that the public have general access to, you will find that it is a legal requirement to make it accessible to wheelchair users. It is important that the disabled ramps you install are neither too steep, or difficult to access. In certain cases it might be as simple as fitting a wooden strip to the threshold of a door to allow for smooth access.

If somebody uses crutches, they find using these ramps much easier as well. This also goes for visually impaired people, who find it difficult going down steps if they are not clearly marked where they begin and end. This can be as simple as painting a very bright strip on the edge of each step.

When you decide to install a ramp to help the access to a building or area, there are a number of things you must take into account. Access to the ramp for people using wheelchairs or scooters should be easy, with no sharp turns involved. It is also a good idea to consider ways of making the slope anti-slip so as to give traction to the wheels. If the slope is very steep, consider making it longer, but in an S shape.

There are also portable ramps available for purchase. These are extremely useful to allow access to vehicles, and can also be stored on the vehicle to be used once the destination has been reached. Many train services carry them so that their passengers have no problem getting on and off the train.

If the wheelchair user is a member of the household there is a wide choice of ramps you could use to allow easy access to all areas inside and outside of the home. You should make sure they are strong enough to carry the combined weight of the wheelchair and the occupant. You will also have to take note of the pathways throughout the garden.

If the wheelchair user makes a lot of visits to relatives where access is difficult there are also some very portable products available. These are known as suitcase ramps. They can be easily folded, and carried about, however they should not be considered as a substitute for a more permanent installation.

There are a few basic things you should consider when selecting a ramp. These involve the location where it is to be installed, how often it is going to be used, the slope involved, and the anti-slip qualities of the materials it will be made from. Once the installation is complete the experience of your disabled visitors will improve greatly.




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