With the rise of workplace access and other advocacy in America, more employers and public businesses are keeping in mind that the disabled need access to their sites, and wheelchair ramps provide assurance that everyone is invited into a building or space. Wheelchair ramps can be modular, permanent, or portable wheelchair ramps, or customized for vehicles, such as wheelchair ramps for cars or wheelchair van ramps.

When a facility wants to add a wheelchair ramp or find a solution for access for the disabled, keeping a few things in mind will help maximize the benefit of the purchase. Here are a few things buyers should think about:

1. The Americans with Disabilities Act is a major force for creating access to public buildings for those needing ramps or other access, and wheelchair ramps should be ADA compliant to be effective.

2. Buyers should think about long term issues with wheelchair ramps to determine if the facility should have permanent concrete wheelchair ramps or more portable or modular solutions in case of closure or other changes to the site in the future.

3. Lifts may be a desirable alternative to ramps in tight spaces, as ramps require a wider space to be effective.

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Find ADA compliant solutions

Because this regulatory system is so important, it's critical to select options for building wheelchair ramps that are ADA compliant. Specialized companies build ADA compliance into their products to eliminate hassle for the client.

I recommend: Get lots of good info on ADA compliant wheelchair ramps including case studies for rail transit at Adaptive Lifts. Businesses of all types can learn about standards for ADA compliant facilities at the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Guide for Small Towns online.

Consider permanent or temporary ramps for wheelchairs

Another issue with wheelchair ramps is how long the site will stand in its present capacity or if ramps are a temporary solution. Knowing about this will help make purchases more efficient.

I recommend: Access Solutions deals in permanent ramp building from wood, concrete or composite materials. Find out about other options for temporary or movable modular wheelchair ramps at the Wheelchair Site.

Look for wheelchair ramps or lift solutions to fit your facility

Permanent or portable wheel-chair ramp models are not the only solution available for getting ADA compliant results for your building. Wheelchair lifts are available in different styles for convenient use. Check out online vendor sites for advice on whether a ramp or lift is right for you.

I recommend: Look for lift vs. ramp case studies from renowned builder ThyssenKrupp Access online. Get information on wheelchair lift specifics at TheMedSupplyGuide, another online resource.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Thinking about these issues is good, but for buying wheelchair ramps long-term, a brainstorming session with other staff may give you more of a concrete idea before contacting ADA expert consultants.

While wheelchairs help the physically challenged regain their mobility, sometimes the wheelchair needs help to help its rider. This help comes in the form of wheelchair ramps, which permit wheelchairs, wheeled walkers and scooters to navigate over stairs and thresholds and paraplegics to board vehicles without assistance.

Wheelchair ramps may be composed of a single solid panel for cresting short rises or a set of folding, collapsible or telescoping panels to reach the side or rear opening of a van or sport utility vehicle. Ramps come in both lightweight, portable models and bariatric models designed to carry the weight of a heavy-duty wheelchair and its occupant.

When buying wheelchair ramps, you need to know the total rise (height in inches) the wheelchair needs to climb to determine the right ramp length. Measure this distance as follows:

1. For wheelchair ramps to go over stairs, measure the height of each step and add them together.
2. For wheelchair ramps for cars and vans, measure vertically from the ground to the highest point inside the vehicle the wheelchair must reach.
3. For wheelchair ramps for porches and stoops, measure vertically from the ground to the highest point the wheelchair needs to reach.

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Buy your wheelchair ramps where you buy your wheelchairs

Companies that make and sell wheelchairs often sell wheelchair ramps as well to provide convenient one-stop shopping for your needs.

I recommend: The Scooter Store sells a line of ramps for wheelchairs: solid ramps, threshold ramps, extended reach units and single- and multi-fold styles of folding wheelchair ramp. American Wheelchairs carries a wide selection of scooter and wheelchair ramps, including residential and commercial grade modular ramps, and offers secure online ordering.

Get easy-to-carry portable wheelchair ramps

If you're an on-the-go person in a wheelchair, having a ramp you can take along with you is a big help. Portable ramps can fold up like a suitcase or roll up like a newspaper.

I recommend: 4 Medical Supplies features portable ramps in single-fold ramps with carrying handles, multi-fold ramps that expand to 10 feet in length and roll-up ramps that stiffen with the help of plastic sleeves. Express Ramps stocks several kinds of aluminum wheelchair ramp and offers an online Ramp Wizard to help new buyers choose the right ramp.

Mobilize with wheelchair ramps for cars and vans

While most people think of a van equipped with a power lift, many times a less-expensive ramp is all a wheelchair user needs to get into a vehicle, if the person has sufficient mobility.

I recommend: 4 Medical Supplies offers side-load and rear-load permanent wheelchair ramps for vans, while Homecare Suppliers, LLC can match a ramp to any vehicle you specify.

Save money with used wheelchair ramps

If money is tight, or you're only confined to a wheelchair for a short period of time, there's no need to buy a new ramp when you can get good-quality used equipment.

I recommend: Discount Wheelchair Ramps.com offers a selection of used wheelchair ramps, carriers and lifts, many in like-new condition with a full manufacturer’s warranty.

Build ramps for wheelchairs if you can't buy

While portable wheelchair ramps are great to provide temporary access, long-term handicapped access means building wheelchair ramps for permanent use.

I recommend: The Home Wheelchair Ramp Project features online instructions for designing and building modular wheelchair ramps and long-tread, low-rise steps. It includes a manual, videos and supplementary articles.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You should never tilt wheelchair ramps higher than one inch of rise for every 12 inches of length, but wheelchair users with less than normal upper body strength may need gentler rises than that.

Wheelchair ramps allow people to bypass stairs and access public buildings, along with providing assistance to get in and out of vehicles. Nurses and home care aides use wheelchair ramps to assist patients in getting in and out of facilities, while ramp builders construct them at private residences for home use.

Ramps for wheelchairs include permanent ramps installed on buildings, portable wheelchair ramps for home use, and wheelchair ramps for cars that help the wheelchair user wheel himself in and out of a vehicle. Wheelchair ramps education and training for nurses and dealers should include:

1. Know the difference between portable wheelchair ramps and permanent ramps.

2. Learn how wheelchair van ramps are utilized.

3. Understand how safety accessories can make ramps for wheelchairs safer.

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Get educated on the differences between permanent and portable wheelchair ramps online

The two major types of wheelchair ramp are permanent ramps that have been built onto buildings to allow handicapped access and portable wheelchair ramps that can be used at home or when traveling. A portable folding wheelchair ramp is often key for getting in and out of buildings that do not offer handicapped access.

I recommend: Learn about the many different types of wheelchair ramps and who they can benefit with this article from Wheelchair.Ca. The Med Supply Guide offers a variety of portable ramps and wheelchair ramps for vans along with pictures, which will give you an idea of the kinds of modular wheelchair ramps available.

Look for wheelchair ramp safety instructions and guidelines

Some wheelchair van ramps are removable, while others are permanently mounted in the vehicle. Both a folding wheelchair ramp and an electric wheelchair ramp can be helpful in getting in and out of a van, depending on the needs of the wheelchair rider. Learn about the different kinds of wheelchair van ramps and how they are used.

I recommend: Discount Ramps offers these instructions for figuring out how long a ramp will be needed to safely move a wheelchair from a threshold, car or van. Access Ramps gives you this easy guide to determining the proper length and width of van ramp to use depending on the vehicle, the terrain and the wheelchair being used.

Find out what regulations govern building wheelchair ramps

There are federal and state regulations concerning the construction of wheelchair ramps at public buildings and on private property. These laws define the dimensions of the ramp and safety codes for use. Nurses and dealers should learn these regulations and educate clients and customers so they can use their ramp safely.

I recommend: Read the ADA's regulations and building codes for wheelchair ramps on public buildings and private residences. Follow these guidelines and any local laws when building a wheelchair ramp. A1 Wheelchair Ramps offers this explanation of the ADA's building codes concerning wheelchair ramps, which should be understood before construction.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure to become knowledgeable of weight limits for wheelchair ramps.

As a business owner, it's your responsibility to make sure your building is accessible to customers of all types of abilities. Not only does federal law require certain accessibility standards be met, providing wheelchair ramps sends a clear message to your customers that you value their patronage and want them to be safe on your premises.

Installing a wheelchair ramp is not always a simple endeavor. To make sure you're installing the right type of ramp, it's important to review the key terms relating to federal law compliance and the various types of ramps on the market.

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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets accessibility standards for businesses. When installing a wheelchair ramp, business owners must ensure the ramp is ADA compliant.

I recommend: Review the ADA accessibility guidelines for wheelchair ramps at the United States Access Board website. The U.S. Department of Justice offers a file containing the standards for accessible design that can be downloaded and saved to your computer for easy reference.

Degree of incline

The degree of incline, also referred to as rise or slope, refers to how steep the ramp is. ADA compliant ramps must have a maximum slope of 1:12. This ratio means for every foot in height, the ramp must have 12 feet of length.

I recommend: Read more about degrees of incline and how to select the proper height and length for a wheelchair ramp at Wheelchair. DiscountRamps.com offers a chart with various degrees of incline relevant to height and length.

Ramp weight capacity

When installing a wheelchair ramp, it's critical to make sure it has an adequate ramp weight capacity. To calculate the necessary ramp weight capacity, the weight of the wheelchair must be added to the weight of its user. Because this figure can change drastically depending on who is using the ramp, business owners are advised to purchase a ramp with the greatest ramp weight capacity available.

I recommend: Get an idea of different ramp weight capacities and the types of ramps that offer the greatest ramp weight capacity by browsing through the descriptions at Disability Systems.

Telescopic ramps

Telescopic ramps extend when they are needed and retract for storage. Considered a portable wheelchair ramp, this type of ramp is frequently used on vehicles and provides a less expensive alternative to a wheelchair lift.

I recommend: To see a photograph of a telescopic ramp, visit uCan Health.

Threshold ramps

Threshold ramps are a must for any business that has entryways that could pose a problem to those with mobility limitations. A threshold ramp provides an easy slope in place of a step.

I recommend: View various types of threshold ramps at Handi-Ramp. To see a threshold ramp commonly used in commercial applications, visit Homecare Products.

Modular ramps

Modular ramps fill the niche between permanent and portable ramps. For many business owners, a modular ramp is a simple way to conform their building to ADA standards. Modular ramps offer easy installation without major construction and are just as easily disassembled.

I recommend: For examples of installed modular ramps, visit Express Ramps. The website includes a video of a modular ramp installation.