Ramps

OTHER REHABILITATION ISSUES IN SCI: HOME SAFETY AND MODIFICATIONS: MECHANICAL AND ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES: RAMPS

Ramps

Ramps are the most reasonable means of access to and from a home.
Ramps vary widely and therefore the person's ability to navigate through a ramp, as well as the incline, location, convenience, style, and materials should be considered before a ramp is built or purchased. All ramps should be at least 36 inches wide.
For curb-height obstacles and small steps, several manufacturers offer a variety of wheelchair ramps, made of aluminum or fiberglass, for temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent applications
For longer, steeper ramps, ramps may need to be designed and constructed out of concrete or wood. The maximum incline recommended for wheelchair users is 1:12, i.e. for each inch in height, the ramp must extend 12 inches;
For strong wheelchair users and for those who must be pushed or have a motorized chair, the ramp can be less gentle, i.e. for each in height, it can extend 5 inches
For unusually strong wheelchair users, for extra-powerful motorized chairs, and if the person is lightweight but the pusher is strong, for each inch in height, the ramp can extend 7 inches · For exterior ramps in climates where ice and snow are common, the incline should be more gradual, i.e. 1:20
On a long ramp of any slope or on a steep ramp, level rest platforms are necessary at 10 foot intervals for both ascent and descent and to turn the wheelchair; continuous handrails should be installed on each side of the ramp and extend beyond the slope at the top and bottom of the ramp; and ramps should have curbs on both sides to help brake a wheelchair in an emergency
There should be at least 5 feet of straight clearance at the bottom of a ramp
Non-skid surfaces are essential and possible with concrete ramps; expanded metal ramps provide traction but are poor for heeled shoes; wood should be treated against rot and have no more than ½ inch between planks; ramps should be protected against the weather and kept free of ice and snow