Wheel chair ramps are essential, because they enable people with disabilities to access elevated areas of a house or building. Wheel chair ramps are convenient ways of crossing obstacles and allow you greater freedom and independence. They are specifically designed to help overcome these types of barriers. Wheel chair ramps are installed to allow trouble-free building access for wheelchair users and other individuals with disabilities (someone using a walker or crutches for example).You will often see them installed in addition to stairs.

Ramps are obtainable in a wide variety of designs. Telescoping ramps can stretch out to accommodate various needs and lengths. The permanent or semi permanent wheelchair ramps are compulsory for buildings and places of public access but portable wheelchair ramps are those that can be effortlessly 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, these type of ramps are very easy to transport and set up. Another valuable element of portable ramps is side-wheel guards; this feature will assure a wheel chair doesn’t fall off. Suitcase portable ramps are standard, single-folding units that fold in half and are carried like a suitcase with handles.

Portable ramps are in the main made of steel, aluminum, and fiberglass. The single fold ramps fold from the center and are highly portable to move around and can be set up without difficulty; the multi fold ramps have an added benefit of extra length which helps to maneuver taller obstacles easily, They are folded multiple times and can be carried like a suitcase. A further design of portable ramps are the roll-up ramps which have hinges for trouble-free folding and storage.

The telescoping 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 buy meets the minimum capacity and exceeds the weight of your wheelchair plus
your weight.

There are special ramps built for making stowing of 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 reasonably priced, and provide the same simple 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 since they can be set up at the width you prefer.

There are several things to consider ahead of your acquisition of a wheelchair ramp or you may possibly end up like me and have several different types and none of them work well for you.

The telescopic ramps are normally in pairs, are lightweight 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 unwieldy 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.

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

Author: Mark F Hargreaves
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Cellphone news

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