Twenty years ago, wheelchair ramps weren't the common structure they are today. It wasn't until the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 that there were any sort of guidelines dictating the need for ramps and other aides to the disabled. The ADA is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination again people with disabilities in everyday activities [source: United State Department of Justice]. Now, some public buildings are required to have ramps that make their building more accessible to those with disabilities. If you're thinking about adding a ramp to an existing structure, it may be a project you can take on yourself, but the responsibility shouldn't be taken lightly. Wheelchair ramps, when constructed correctly, are safe, sturdy structures that allow disabled people access to places they might otherwise not be able to go. The ADA made everyone more aware of the obstacles blocking disabled individuals from doing things they wanted and needed to do.
The ADA has created a set of guidelines that standardizes the wheelchair ramp building process and specifies the materials that should be used, making ramps safe for everyone. There have been many lawsuits over wheelchair ramps that created a hazard, and most hazards are a result of neglect. In this article, you'll learn about ADA wheelchair ramp specifications, slope ratio and horizontal projections. You'll also learn about width, handrails and guardrails, and how best to protect ramp users. We'll also go over the different materials that can be used for building wheelchair ramps, as well as the pros and cons of each. You'll also learn the basic steps used to install a wheelchair ramp, as well as some things you need to look out for before your ramp is ready for use. There are many wheelchair ramp options. You can build or purchase a ramp -- whatever is best for your specific needs. ADA recommended slope for public access & walking elderly. Maximum ramp slope recommended for residential use with assistant.
Maximum ramp slope recommended for loading unoccupied Determining the Correct Slope Ratio To determine the length of ramp for your application, you need to determine the rise. The rise is the vertical measurement between the ground and where the top of the ramp is going to be. Disability Systems recommends a 1:12 slope on most applications. Residential applications can use a 2:12 slope ratio if space is an issue but only if an assistant is present to help push the wheelchair or to help a person walking on the ramp. For commercial public access, a 1:12 ratio is required, check your local codes. 1:12 slope ratio (ADA Recommended) means that for every inch of rise, you will need one foot of ramp. As an example, a 12 inch rise would require a 12 foot ramp to achieve a 1:12 ratio. 2:12 slope ratio means that for every two inches of rise, you would need one foot of ramp. As an example, take the total amount of rise in inches and divide by 2. If you have a 12 inch rise divide by 2 and the resulting number would be 6, this is the length of ramp which is required in feet to achieve a 2:12 ratio.
3:12 slope ratio means that for every three inches of rise you would need one foot of ramp. As an example, take the total amount of rise in inches and divide by 3. If you have a 12 inch rise divide by 3 and the resulting number would be 4, this is the length of ramp which is required in feet to achieve a 3:12 ratio. This slope ratio is only used to move an unoccupied wheelchair, never an occupied wheelchair and should never be used for walking. NOTE: For ADA compliance, any ramp that is used on a rise of 6 inches or more, must have handrails and be 36" wide. Any ADA compliant ramp longer that 30 feet (30 inch rise) must include a resting platform. Consideration must also be taken if the ground is not level and slopes away from the rise. Please be aware that ramps used by the elderly should be 1:12 and have handrails. Please contact Disability Systems, Inc. at 1-877-258-7423 if you need help in determining your needs. IR & Microwave Sensors Terms / Privacy Policy
For an adult person in a wheelchair to easily enter a vehicle and sit completely upright while riding, the floor of the minivan is dropped by as much as 14". This structural modification is commonly referred to as being a "lowered floor conversion". The increased interior height from having a lowered floor also helps the able-bodied caregiver with loading and securement assistance. It also provides for a reduced ramp angle. The foldout is the most common type of conversion being used today. Foldout ramps can be either manually operated or powered depending on the design. A foldout ramp rests upright along the inside of the closed sliding door when not in use. Foldout ramps cab easily be deployed over a curb or onto a sidewalk. With an in-floor ramp conversion, the ramp is stored in the floor (under the vehicle). With no ramp in the doorway, passengers who are not in wheelchairs can enter and exit the vehicle without having to deploy the ramp. An in-floor ramp conversion can be either powered or manual.
The power in-floor is typically going to be higher in cost than a fold-out conversion. One of the most important choices you will make in selecting a handicap accessible wheelchair van is side-entry versus rear entry. Your choice will impact such things as the wheelchair seating positions, your ability to accommodate other passengers and parking options. Side-entry wheelchair vans represent the majority of the market; however, rear-entry wheelchair vans have also gained in popularity over the years. A side-entry van allows for the ability to enter and exit safely onto the curbside away from traffic. The wheelchair user can either drive from a wheelchair or sit in the front passenger position. Side-entry vans give extra room for maneuverability and also maintain the rear cargo storage space behind the third-row seating. A rear-entry vehicle can be parked in any parking space---no extra room is required for a ramp (excluding parallel parking). A rear-entry vehicle offers plenty of ground clearance because most of the van's floor has not been modified (the wheelchair user rides in a channel installed in the middle of the floor, from the second row to the rear of the vehicle), and the rear of the vehicle is slightly elevated.
In addition, a rear-entry vehicle is typically less expensive to convert. Another important consideration to make is whether you'd prefer a fold-up or an in-floor wheelchair ramp in your handicap van. Fold-up ramps fold in half and stow upright, next to the side passenger door. In-floor ramps slide into a pocket underneath the vehicle's floor. In-floor and fold-up wheelchair ramps are available in a wide range of wheelchair accessible minivan conversions. People who prefer an in-floor ramp prefer the ramp to be out of the way of the passenger entrance. Typically, fold-up ramps tend to be less expensive and easier to maintain, and they present a lower ramp angle. Wheelchair accessible conversion with power wheelchair ramps and doors are the most popular because of their ease and convenience. However, manual conversions are also popular because they cost less both to purchase and to maintain. Power conversions typically have a kneeling feature that reduces the angle or steepness of the wheelchair ramp.