Portable Wheelchair Ramps: What To Know
Many people today enjoy the services of portable wheelchair ramps for a wide range of different purposes. These devices come in all kinds of styles, and can be customized to fit into whatever specific needs you may have. There are a few main points you'll need to think about when you make a purchase, and there are literally all kinds of styles and specifications that you'll have to choose between when it comes to portable wheelchair ramps.
Portable Wheelchair Ramps And The Transportation
One popular usage for these units is to bring them in the back of your personal or commercial van when you are transporting a person that makes use of a wheelchair. This way they can easily roll themselves into and out of the van or other vehicle instead of having to be awkwardly raised and lowered. Whether you are the personal caretaker or family member of an individual with a wheelchair, or you offer some kind of commercial transportation service, this will be important to have on hand.
Different Portable Wheelchair Ramps Styles
There are all kinds of different styles for portable ramps.
- Some will be one large flat piece of rubber, metal, plastic or some combination of all of those materials.
- Others will actually be two separate tracks, one for each wheel, with nothing in the middle.
These are to help accommodate for all kinds of different situations.
Portable Ramp Size
The main thing you need to verify when you make a purchase of portable wheelchair ramps is the size of the ramp you'll need. You need to know the highest point of access to determine how long the ramp will be, because you shouldn't end up with a ramp with a steeper incline than 1:12. This is to maintain maximum safety and control at all times.
The Benefits Of These Ramps
Another important thing to realize is that portable wheelchair ramps can absolutely be used for permanent or semi-permanent setups around the home. They don't have to be taken around for your vehicle or for any other purpose. If you want to setup a small ramp coming from your back deck or maybe a garage door or side door, a portable ramp can be rolled into place and left there on an ongoing basis.
Semi-Permanent Ramps
In fact, these semi-permanent installations of a portable ramp are extremely widespread. It gives you the flexibility to easily move them if the need arises and you'll save on costs over installing permanent fixtures. For all of these reasons they are extremely popular and widespread around the home in ongoing situations. For example if you need a wheelchair for a year, recovering from an injury, these can be quickly put into place at a low cost and then removed when the need disappears as well.
Permanent Wheelchair Ramps
This is a solution that is long term and is permanently attached to the building. Most of the new buildings will have these as a requirement of the disability act and are permanently fixed to the building.
Some of the things that need to be considered when permanently installing a wheelchair ramp are:
- Adequate landings at the bottom and the top
- Edge potection
- Handrails well prepared to avoid splinters
Vehicle Ramps
These type of ramps are normally used with vans or minivans that transport disabled people from one place to another. The ramps can either be used for side door or rear door entry and are very easy to use.
Suitcase Portable Wheelchair Ramps
These type of ramps can be folded up and carried like a suitcase, simplifying the portability of it and maintaining an easy way of living. An example of such a ramp is the Handi-Ramp Rollup Ramp. It is a very strong ramp that is designed so that it is perfect for local transport or anywhere travel. All you have to do is just unroll the ramp and attach the rails that go with it. It is as easy as that.
GRP Ramps
These are glass reinforced plastic ramps that is being built for lightweight and portable access to both buildings and vehicles. There are lots of different options, but folded channel ramps are the easiest to manoeuvre. That is the main thing that you should always remember when purchasing wheelchair ramps. Always make sure that you find something that is easy to use and portable enough for easy travel.
These are some of the elements you'll need to consider when looking at portable wheelchair ramps. They can be used on the go, or they can be setup at home. They are cheaper than permanent installations, and have other advantages such as being able to be rolled into and out of place. Whatever your specific needs are, there is a portable ramp that should be able to get the job done perfectly.
