Building A Wheelchair Ramp
A wheelchair ramp is a necessity for those disabled persons living in a home with steps. Some homes or businesses have a large step up to the front door. A wheelchair ramp can make it easier for a disabled person to enter a home because he or she does not have to get up from a wheelchair in order to deal with the front step. There are many companies that can build wheelchair ramp that is up to building code. The owner of the home or business can even choose the ramp design that suits the look of the front of the building so that the wheelchair ramp is not an eye sore. Some business or homeowners may want to take on the improvement project on their own without the help of professionals. In order to build a wheelchair ramp yourself, you will need to know the specifications that are required by the Americans With Disabilities Act. These requirements must be followed to assure that the wheelchair ramp is up to building code and is a legal addition to the existing structure. Portable wheelchair ramps are also an alternative.
If you are planning to build a wheelchair ramp yourself, make sure that your ramp design includes handrails. These are a must for the safety of the ramp. A ramp with no handrails is dangerous because a wheelchair can easily wheel off the ramp. You must also check with the current building code to be sure a wheelchair ramp can legally be built as an addition to the building. A professional consultant may want to be hired to examine the ramp design before you start to build a wheelchair ramp yourself. The professional will be able to double check the measurements and make sure that they will be congruent with the building code and are realistic for the comfort and use of the ramp.
Some cat owners who have a cat with hip problems may turn to a cat wheelchair to allow their pet to get around freely. A cat wheelchair is a device with two harnesses and two wheels. The wheels act as the back legs of the cat, allowing the animal to wheel around. Residents of a home who own a cat with a cat wheelchair may also consider building a wheelchair ramp on to the front or back doors of the home to allow their pet to come and go freely. Although these wheelchair ramps are simply going to be used by the cat in the cat wheelchair, they will still need to be up to building code in order to be considered useable.
Buy a new or used wheelchair ramp, or if you are attempting to build a wheelchair ramp yourself, keep in mind that there should be landings provided at both the top and bottom of the ramp. The bottom landing should be completely level with the ground, making it easy for the wheelchair to roll onto the landing and up the ramp. It is also important to use correctly treated wood or other materials when attempting to build a wheelchair yourself. Some woods or materials can be slippery when wet or can ice up easily in cold weather, making the ramp dangerous to use.
Before developing a ramp design when attempting to build a wheelchair ramp yourself, check with the building code and specifications of the Americans With Disabilities Act. It is important to follow the specifications and advice of professionals so that the ramp is safe and accurately constructed.
