How to Build a Wheelchair Ramp - Designs and Plans

As the world population ages, or suffers long-term effects of accidents and debilitating illnesses, the need for modifications to individual homes and businesses also increases. One of the primary changes is the addition of a wheelchair ramp to ensure safe accessibility. However, before grabbing a hammer, or hiring help, learn how to build a wheelchair ramp, with proper designs and plans.

In a pinch, many people will invent bizarre methods of getting a wheelchair into an inaccessible home or business. Maybe a couple of strong gentlemen will risk a hernia and pick up the chair. Others may grab a couple of boards and, after strategically placing the planks, roll the wheelchair over the steps. Neither practice is safe. Both methods are a temporary fix, at best. So, learn how to build a wheelchair ramp with proper designs and plans.

First, decide what type of materials needed for the ramp. Wheelchair access can be made with a pre-made metal ramp to be assembled. If building the ramp from scratch, is the ramp going to be concrete or wood? For people building a new home, a concrete ramp can be constructed when the sidewalks are poured. However, for most people, wood is an affordable and quick solution to access difficulties.

Now, with designs and plans, learn how to build a wheelchair ramp. First, the incline should not be too steep, or the wheelchair may tip over backwards, potentially causing great harm. Specifications state a one-inch incline per foot of ramp. For example, the steps into a home are 24 inches in height. Therefore, the ramp needs to be at least 24 feet long, with a rise of only one inch per foot.

In addition to length, the width of the ramp should be three feet. Naturally the ramp needs to accommodate the width of the chair. For now, maybe a child is using a smaller youth chair. The ramp still needs to be three feet wide, because he/she will eventually require an adult chair.

The length and width are correct-now what? Wheel guards are an excellent safety feature, when learning how to build a wheelchair ramp. A one-two inch high wheel guard will prevent a wheel from falling off the edge during use. At best, a handicapped individual can be stuck until help arises to get the wheel back on the ramp; at worst, slipping off the ramp can cause dangerous spills. So, the side guards are essential. In addition, rails are helpful for similar reasons. In addition, rails enable the handicapped person to pull him or herself up the ramp. Finally, a good ramp needs a little texture. In rainy or icy conditions, a wheelchair can quickly become a runaway on slick surfaces. Therefore, to provide added safety, a rough mixture of pebbles can be added to the surface concrete. When using a wooded ramp, indoor-outdoor carpet, or adding sand or texture to the varnish will provide a little more traction.

So, learn how to build a wheelchair ramp with safety in mind. Make sure the grade is not to steep, wheel guards and rails are in place, and texture has been added to the surface for added traction and safety. Use specific designs and plans, and stay safe.

Moses Wright is the owner of Wheelchair. He provides more useful information on Wheelchair Accessories And Aids and Wheelchair Holidays on his website. Webmasters are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

The Marvels Of Electric Wheelchair Lifts The Freedom To Go Anywhere You Like
When you are confined in a wheelchair, you have great difficulty getting around the house, not to mention participating in life outside your home. At home, stairs make certain rooms of the house off limits. Beyond the front door, the world is a plethora of unreachable places because transportation is impossible. In answer to a plea for help, brill...

Wheelchair Vans - How to Pick Up the Best One
Wheelchair vans are freely available in the United States, either for outright purchase or for rental in all cities and towns. Mini and full-size commercial utility vehicles come with converted wheelchair accommodation facilities. These vehicles are fitted with either a ramp or a lift, or both, according to the wishes of the client. They are availa...

Pay Attention To Wheelchair Safety - Things To Look Out For
A recent survey on wheelchair users rated comfort on the wheelchair as the most important issue for individuals who use them. Like drivers who are paying more for comfort, wheelchair users now are willing to fork out more money for comfort. I understand where wheelchair users are coming from, since they are in the wheelchair for most part of the da...

Stairs Climbing Wheelchair - A Dream Comes True
One of the biggest challenges for a wheelchair user is to climb or descend stairs and get access top places above or below a flight of stairs. Although most commercial places are wheelchair friendly, some locations especially friends or even relatives place are not. As sociable as wheelchair users would want to be, these stairs most often create th...

Comfortable Wheelchair Ride with Wheelchair Cushion
Wheelchairs act as a boon to those who cannot walk those people who are unfortunately disabled. Wheelchairs give them a sense of freedom as it allows them to move around freely. Electric wheelchairs have increased their freedom more by allowing them to move just by pressing a button. Electric wheelchairs also provides them with the facility of whee...

How To Choose An Electric Wheelchair Pediatric Use
It has always been a fact that health is very important to all people and must be given proper care. Everyone is responsible to take good care of their health. Pediatricians are also responsible for the infants health, and provide them with proper guidance for the achievement of good health.Often, disability cannot be prevented especially on childr...

Getting Mobile Again With Light Weight Wheelchairs
It can be very frustrating when people become restricted on doing things what we have done for many years and worse when we feel dependent on others. Many times we get depressed about being helpless and dependent on others. Thats the emotions we go though when we are confined to a wheelchairs. By using a lightweight wheelchair we can begin to lead ...