Basic Primer on Wheelchair, Scooter and Power Chair Ramps for Your Home

When the time has come to adapt or design your household for wheelchair and scooter access, you'll be happy to learn that dealers offer many different types of scooter and wheelchair ramps. Once you begin your research, however, the options are endless and certainly confusing. Indeed, from portable ramps to fixed ramps, suitcase ramps, wheelchair ramps, track ramps, and more, the possibilities are infinite and each carry a significant advantage and disadvantage.

Where to start? Check out this Basic Primer on Wheelchair, Scooter and Power Chair Ramps for Your Home. Sure to make the decision making a little easier as you adapt or design your home for accessibility to wheelchairs, scooter or other heavy equipment.

Portable vs. Fixed Scooter and Wheelchair Ramps

Before you make your purchase, you'll need to determine whether you want a "portable" or "fixed" ramp. What's the difference between the two? Plenty.

Portable and folding ramps for wheelchairs, scooters, and power chairs are designed for a variety of purposes, like loading into the side door of a passenger van, onto steps or porches, or anywhere else you may need to load. Portable ramp systems are built to fold up and can be carried much like a suitcase and the good ones are designed to separate into two pieces for lighter weight and easy carrying. Portable ramps are designed to help facilitate transfers in multiple locations and presume that the users need something that's rather flexible to account for multiple uses or destinations.

Fixed ramps, on the other hand, are stationary and help the user access barriers like steps and elevations in the home, office or other setting. Threshold and door wheelchair ramps can help facilitate passage over small barriers. Indeed, even a one inch barrier can present difficulties for users of manual and power wheelchairs. Rubber, plastic and aluminum threshold ramps make access easier for everyone in the family.

Another example of a fixed ramp is a pathway ramp. Its extra wide design makes it ideal for persons using electric scooters, walkers, wheelchairs, canes, or crutches in a home setting. Often, a pathway ramp is equipped with railings making it an ideal solution to facilitate access to the home. The best fixed ramps are all-aluminum modular wheelchair ramps. While they can be quite expensive, they're ideal for the home and usually ADA compliant. Some systems can be permanently installed or attached to your home or other structure. These ramps and systems are perfect for long-term and high traffic use.

Wooden Ramps for Home or Business

Wooden ramps are by far the most popular fixed ramp in use in America today. A licensed contractor or certified carpenter or handyman can be hired to assemble or construct a ramp for you and your family. Get several bids before you agree to have the work done on your home.

Do Your Research Before You Buy or Lease

Wheelchair, scooter and power chair ramps and systems can be quite expensive. It's best to consult a professional in advance of investing in a ramp or ramp system, even if it's covered by Medicare, Medicaid, personal insurance or other funds. You want to make sure that the ramp you choose is appropriate for the amount of usage and weight of the equipment you have. You want to make sure the ramp is safe, effective and addresses your personal needs, now and well into the future.

You also want to make sure that you've taken into account several factors, like safety, security, weather conditions, and more. You want to explore how best to assemble the equipment and what to do in case of repair. You want to purchase or lease this equipment through a reputable dealer or provider. By talking with a professional you can get a sense of what's available to you and most appropriate for your home or business at this time.

Where To Purchase?

You can build, buy or lease a ramp. Do your research before making an investment in this equipment. Shop around for deals and discounts. Check online to get a sense of each product and its advantages or downsides. Consult a disability specialist or contractor for ideas on ramps and systems that might be best for you and your family. There are also design specialists who can assist you with making sure the ramp you build or install blends nicely with your home design and landscaping. For online resources on ramps and ramp systems, check out the following:

Discount Ramps
www.discountramps.com/wheelchair-ramps.htm

Handi-Ramp (Since 1958)
www.handiramp.com/homeaccess.htm

RESOURCES

Ramps
www.ramps.org

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Resources
www.ada.gov

ADA Standards for Accessible Design
www.ada.gov/stdspdf.htm

Institute for Human Centered Design
www.adaptenv.org

HGTV Pro Design Ideas
www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/design_ideas