Wheelchair ramps, helping overcome disability in a major way
Sunday, October 4th, 2009For physically challenged people, restoring their mobility is the most important issue of their life. A physically challenged person will not have to rely upon a caregiver or remain confined to it’s home forever with the help of a manual or a power wheelchair. However, the disability coupled with lack of accessibility, can resurrect the issue. Any change in elevation, or a single stair or doorstep will endanger the freedom of movement. This is where technology has responded firmly in the form of wheelchair ramps and lifts. Generally, most public buildings are equipped with a ramp which is suitable for wheelchair users.
Wheelchair ramps are inclined planes installed in buildings and homes that give access to wheelchairs. Despite what people may think, they meet a lots of customer’s expectations by providing them with lots of options. Wheelchair ramps are essential to overcome steps and elevations in public places and at homes and to help your wheelchair in-and-out of your van, car, or SUV. You can choose from permanent, semi-permanent, or portable wheelchair ramps.
Normally those places are equipped with permanent ramps where accessibility requirements are more, for example at hospital and public places or the places where accessibility is required for personal use, for example, at homes.
Ramps could be either bolted or cemented. A lot of wheelchair ramps come with handrails and non-slippery surfaces to facilitate effortless movement and to ensure safety for the wheelchair user. However, if you need a ramp for only a short time, you can use a semi-permanent ramp which is placed over a cemented or ground surface.
Modular ramps, or portable ramps are sold in the form of suitcase wheelchair ramps, foldable wheelchair ramps, threshold ramps, power chair ramps, or scooter ramps. They support accessibility for vehicles and doorway thresholds. They can be easily carried,folded and stored after being used. They can be folded around the center, folded in a multi-layered compact package, or even rolled-up at hinge.
You can use telescopic ramps for four-wheeled scooters and wheelchairs. You can easily fold telescopic ramps into a compact package, and they are very convenient to carry and store, quite similar to modular ramps. They give more security by the means of a locking system and a non-slippery surface.
Threshold ramps are used domestically to bridge small differences of level between floor levels. Threshold wheelchair ramps could be used to efficiently and quickly bridge a change in floor level,or a ridge or to connect two floors on the same level.
Now many buildings, schools, universities, and other public places have already installed wheelchair ramps in their premises because of ncreased state legislation and consumer awareness. However, portable ramps are of much help at places, where accessibility is tough, or for personal use at home and vehicles.