Sunday, August 2, 2009

A Wheelchair Ramp Is Essential To Leading A Fuller Life

by M Hargreaves

Wheel chair ramps are essential, because they enable people with disabilities to access elevated areas of a house or the building. Wheel chair ramps are convenient ways of crossing obstacles and allow you greater freedom and independence. Wheel chair ramps are specifically designed to help overcome these types of barriers.

Wheel chair ramps are installed to allow trouble-freebuilding access for wheelchair users and other individuals with disabilities (someone using a walker or crutches). Wheel chair ramps are often installed in addition to stairs.

Wheel chair ramps are to be had in a wide variety of designs. Telescoping ramps can lengthen to accommodate several needs and lengths. The permanent or semi permanent wheel chair ramps are compulsory for buildings and places of public access but portable wheel chair ramps are those that can be simply carried in vehicles and can help over thresholds and stairs. These versatile ramps can be used over steps, navigate steep curbs and go over steep entrances of buildings.

Ideal for power chairs and scooters, portable wheel chair ramps are very easy to transport and set up. Another vital element of portable ramps is side-wheel guards; this feature will assure a wheelchair doesn't fall off. Suitcase portable wheelchair ramps are standard, single-folding units that fold in half and are carried like a suitcase with handles.

Portable wheel chair ramps are in the main made of steel, aluminum, and fiberglass. The single fold ramps fold from the halfway point and are highly portable to lug around and can be set up without difficulty; the multi fold ramps have an addedbenefit of extra length which helps to maneuver taller obstacles easily, they are folded multiple times and can be carried like a suitcase. A different design of portable wheel chair ramps are the Roll-up ramps which have hinges for simple folding and storage.

The telescoping wheel chair ramps are multi-purpose ramps and can be used for a variety of purposes and lengths. Normally portable access ramps ought to have a minimum carrying capacity of at least 440 lbs or 200 kg, however ensure that the ramp you get meets the minimum capacity and exceeds the weight of your wheelchair plus your weight.

There are special ramps built for making stowing of wheel chairs into vans easier. These ramps, known as van wheel chair ramps are lightweight yet they can take a weight of up to 800 pounds. Van Ramps assist you in loading and unloading your wheel chair or scooter into and out of your vehicle. While wheel chair lifts offer extra options, van ramps are much more inexpensive, and provide the same essential function. Wheel chair vans are designed to provide safe, dependable, inexpensive and suitable alternatives for disabled people and patients for improved mobility.

Wheel chair Ramps for Vans can be used for rear door loading, side door loading or hitch mounted loading applications. A further advantage to dual track ramps is that they can also accommodate any wheel chair width as they can be set up at the width you prefer.

There are several things to consider prior to your acquisition of a wheel chair ramp or you may perhaps end up like me and have several distinct types and none of them work well for you.

The telescopic ramps are normally in pairs, are leightweight and easy to carry and set up though they are often not very wide so you have to make sure you obtain the correct length and width for your wheel chair. Roll up aluminium ramps are tremendous, come in various lengths but can be difficult to set up and are always heavy. Single fold fibreglass ramps are light and very easy to set up but are probably also the most expensive option. You should also consider your carer when buying wheel chair ramps as they are probably the person who will have to transport and set them up for you.


About the Author

More information and pictures on wheelchairs and Wheel Chair Ramps are available here.

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