Sunday, April 13, 2014

Make Lives A Lot Easier For Visitors And Install Disabled Ramps

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.


In public places it is a legal requirement to make access possible for disabled people. These disabled ramps can take many forms, but they must not be too steep so that they are difficult, or even dangerous, to use. In some cases they can be as simple as being a wooden strip attached to a door threshold allowing for a smoother ride.

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.

There are a few things you must consider before you install a ramp. It should be easy for somebody using a mobility scooter or wheelchair to get on and off easily, and not be so steep that it is difficult to go up, and dangerous to come down. It is also good idea to use some form of anti-slip material to allow some traction for wheels. A method of ensuring that the ramp is not too steep is to design it in an S shape, extending the distance thereby lowering the angle of the slope.

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 a member of your household is a wheelchair or electric scooter user you will find that there is a wide range of ramps available to make their life easier. It is important that you make sure they are durable enough to deal with constant use, and can also support the combined weight of the wheelchair and the user. You should also consider the accessibility of parts of the garden area.

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.

When you are selecting a ramp, consider the location where it is to be placed, how often it will be traversed, and whether it should be weatherproof. The consideration of the budget available is also important, however should not limit your choice. Once you have found the solution to meet your needs, you can be assured that you will be making the lives of your disabled visitors much easier.




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