Wheelchair Ramps - A Brief Buyer’s Guide

Wheelchairs are one of the oldest mobility aids used by people since the middle ages. The basic idea behind a wheelchair is a comfortable chair attached to a set of wheels that can be pushed around for mobility. Used by almost all people that have complete mobility issues which include patients who have undergone surgery, arthritis patients, patients with all types of paralysis, etc. Wheelchairs earlier had only a few features but now are equipped with a number of different features and bonuses.

What Are Wheelchair Ramps?

Maneuvering a wheelchair around is an easy task, but when one wants to take the wheelchair to an elevated surface or bring it down from one, they have to life the wheelchair either when it is empty or when the user is sitting on it. This becomes very difficult for the caregiver if this has to be done a number of times in the day. This is where wheelchair ramps come in. They are basic ramps designed specifically for wheelchairs. Wheelchair ramps are inclined planes that can be installed almost anywhere. According to the American Disabilities Act, every public office, building, or institution must have a wheelchair ramp for the differently abled people. The ramp gives these people more accessibility to move around without the help of a caregiver.

Types of Wheelchair Ramps

There are various types of wheelchair ramps based on the inclination, mobility, and type of terrain: 

• Semi-Permanent Wheelchair Ramps - Semi-permanent wheelchair ramps rest on a padded surface or ground and are installed for a short period of time. They can be dismantled or removed once their use has been complete. They are commonly used for installations such as festivals, camps, etc. where everything that is installed is temporary.

PVI Portable Solid Ramp

• Permanent Wheelchair Ramps - Permanent wheelchair ramps are commonly used in public buildings, residential places, and houses, where there is a constant need for the ramp. These ramps are built in using either concrete or are bolted in place. They can be made of different materials like steel, aluminium, or concrete.

PVI Aluminum OnTrac Ramp with Handrail

• Portable Wheelchair Ramps - Portable wheelchair ramps are made of lightweight material, these ramps can be dismantled and transported to different places based on the need of the user. While installed portable ramps one needs to make sure that the area where it is installed is skid proof, dry, and is not conducive to damage to the ramp or the user.

Drive Wheelchair And Scooter Ramps With Carry Bag

• Vehicle Ramps - These kind of ramps are specially designed to be used with vehicles. For example, vans or buses for the differently abled often can be seen equipped with vehicle wheelchair ramps. It is very easy to modify a vehicle to fit these kinds of ramps. They should be taken care of while being used by a patient.

PVI Multifold Utility Ramp With Extended Lip

• Track Wheelchair Ramps - Track wheelchair ramps are designed to be used over stairs, curbs, or rugged surfaces. They are built in way that creates an inclined surface almost anywhere. They are crafted in a way to line up with the wheels of the wheelchair thus reducing the chances of slipped or falling.

Rose Healthcare Portable Curb Ramp

• Modular Ramps - Modular ramps are basically a combination of two or more ramps built together to allow a less steeper option for the wheelchair user. They come in blocks or as a whole and can be moved and shaped according to the needs of the user.

EZ Access Pathway 48 Inch 3G Modular Access Ramps

• Threshold Ramps - Threshold ramps are specially designed for entrances, these ramps are short in length and have a small rising gradient. They can be made of plastic or any metal and can be easily installed and removed. They are also a great option to install over stairs.

Safepath EZ Edge Transition Rubber Threshold Ramp

Things to Keep In Mind While Choosing Wheelchair Ramps

• The height of the ramp is very important as not all ramps can be adjusted to different heights.
• Never use a ramp meant for lower surfaces on higher surface as this compromises on the grip and stability of the ramp
• Always check the terrain on which the ramp is being installed and then choose the wheelchair ramp accordingly
• Ask the user and see to it if they require or don’t require rails along with the ramp
• Make sure the ramp isn’t too steep or else the user might loose control and fall
• Never use a broken or damages ramp as you might be compromising on the safety of the user
   

Wheelchair ramps have been mandatory throughout first world nations since a long time, and now it has slowly begun to become the norm everywhere around the world. Making public places and houses accessible to the differently abled is their basic human right and wheelchair ramps do just that. Choosing the right wheelchair ramp makes the person safe and also allows them to move around places freely.

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