miercuri, 16 aprilie 2014

Make Lives A Lot Easier For Visitors And Install Disabled Ramps

By Anita Ortega


People who have difficulty with mobility often find it very difficult using steps. The obvious cases of these are users of wheelchairs and electric scooters, however steps are also a struggle for people with visual impairments and problems such as muscular dystrophy. For some, coping with one step is not too difficult, but any more can cause severe access problems.

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.

Ramps are also useful for people on crutches, as they have difficulty manipulating steps. Visually impaired people also have difficulty walking down steps. Sometimes it is not clear when the step actually starts and finishes, though some have markings on the edges of each step these days.

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.

Portable ramps are available in all sizes to deal with such situations. For instance, they are available for access to vehicles, and can be collapsed and carried in the vehicle and reused when they reach their destination. You will often see ramps like these in train carriages to allow wheelchair users to board and disembark a train.

If the wheelchair user is a member of the household there is a wide choice of ramps you could use to allow easy access to all areas inside and outside of the home. You should make sure they are strong enough to carry the combined weight of the wheelchair and the occupant. You will also have to take note of the pathways throughout the garden.

There are also some that are extremely portable, and are known as suitcase ramps. These can be a great alternative when the wheelchair-bound user visits a location that has not been adapted for ease of use. However, these should not be seen as a permanent solution due to durability issues.

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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