Discover Various Portable Wheelchair Ramp for Your Home

Did you know the first 3D printed wheelchair ramps are developed before actually building them? Wheelchair users are not always considered when building homes. You can make your home more wheelchair-accessible with certain upgrades. But if your budget doesn't allow for that, you can get a portable wheelchair ramp as an inexpensive first step. 

A wheelchair ramp in a public space must comply with certain rules and regulations established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In general, portable wheelchair ramps for homes don't need to meet ADA standards, but it makes sense to follow these guidelines when possible for optimum ease of use and safety. 

When buying or building portable wheelchair ramps for homes, factors such as type, width, weight capacity, handrails, and ramp angle should all be taken into account. In this blog, we will discuss types of portable wheelchair ramps, ramp angle & length, and ramps with handrails.

What are portable wheelchair ramps? 

Portable wheelchair ramps are lightweight and easy to install, and they can provide immediate access to areas such as doorways, stairs, and raised landings. They also offer a safe and secure way for wheelchair users to get around in the home.   

Portable Wheelchair Ramp Types

Depending on where you intend to place the wheelchair ramp in your home, there are several options. For instance, if you need a ramp that is easily portable, folding wheelchair ramps may be the best option. These ramps can be folded up and stored when not in use and are usually made out of lightweight aluminum. For permanent installations, a solid-surface ramp is recommended, as it can provide better stability and support for the wheelchair user. Examples of solid-surface ramps include:

• Ramps for doorways: Ramps for doors are often made of solid or panel construction and come in various lengths to accommodate one or more steps. 
• Wheelchair ramp for stairs: These ramps are typically made out of metal, wood, or concrete and have a more permanent installation. The metal wheelchair ramps provide a more stable surface for the wheelchair user and can be used on multiple levels of stairs. They are also more durable and can withstand heavier loads than a folding ramp.
• Shower ramps: These are typically compact, short, and designed to blend in seamlessly with the floor of your bathroom. Their primary purpose is to eliminate the little step that is typically seen in front of walk-in showers.
• Exterior Access Ramps: These ramps are longer and can be purchased in materials such as aluminum, which is robust and can frequently come in parts to make it easier to modify the length of the ramp. They are designed to assist wheelchair users in entering and exiting their homes.
• Threshold Ramps: These ramps, which are used to cross higher thresholds, are frequently much smaller, lighter, and provide only a little lift in a doorway. Threshold ramps are typically used to bridge raised thresholds.

Portable Wheelchair Ramps: Their Ramp Angle and Length

When selecting a portable wheelchair ramp for your home, it is important to take into consideration the constraints of the wheelchair user. If the majority of wheelchairs that are used are manual, you might not want the ramp to be too steep because doing so will need greater upper-body strength. If a power wheelchair is being used, it is important to consider the strain that will be placed on the engine. You also need to consider the chance that the chair will topple over at steeper slopes.

The length of the wheelchair ramps installed in homes is determined by the width of the wheelchair and the amount of available floor space at the site of the ramp. The measurement, in general, should be dependent on the angle of your ramp. Some wheelchair manuals will indicate the proper ramp length for that particular model, but in general, your ramp angle should be used. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recommends that ramps have a maximum slope ratio of 1:12, which translates to a length of one foot for every inch of height.

Portable Wheelchair Ramps Come in a Variety of Widths

For optimal safety and maneuverability, the wheelchair's width should be matched by the usable width of the ramp, plus a few extra inches on each side. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) recommends a minimum width of 36 inches, which should be sufficient for the majority of ordinary wheelchairs and scooters.

Wheelchair Ramps That Are Portable and Come with Handrails

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that handrails be installed on both sides of ramps that are either higher than six inches or have a horizontal projection that is longer than 72 inches. Even if handrails are not required for the wheelchair ramps in your home, it is still a good idea to install wheel guards on each side of the ramp. This is to prevent the wheelchair from rolling off the edge of the ramp.

We at HomePRO follow these recommendations and before acquiring or building any portable wheelchair ramps for your home. We also make sure to check with your city or county to see if there are any construction codes that we would need to reference. And most importantly, we ensure to carefully install and test your portable wheelchair ramp before using it. This is true regardless of the type of ramp you purchase from us.

Conclusion

In conclusion, investing in a portable wheelchair ramp for your home is a perfect solution for wheelchair users. This portable ramp for a wheelchair user is beneficial in making your movement with ease around your house. It is crucial that the wheelchair ramps installed in your house follow all the guidelines given by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

At HomePRO, we take care of your every need regarding the installation of portable wheelchair ramps for steps. Our accessibility experts have specialized in working in this industry for years, and you will be glad with our both installation & repair services for wheelchair ramps. We have various types of ramps for wheelchair users, and we will help you select the one which is suitable for your needs. So, contact us today!