Wheelchair Ramps

Wheelchair Ramps Give You Your Freedom Back

No matter what kind of wheelchair you use there are going to be times when you are going to encounter difficulties with going places, as not everyone has wheelchair ramps in place. Of course all businesses must have them, but that does not mean your friends and relatives have them just in case you should happen to come over for a visit. While this can be a major inconvenience it does not have to be as long as you take the time out to be prepared for any eventuality.

The wheelchair ramp was created to make it much easier for the person in the wheelchair to roll over obstacles such as curbs and door thresholds without needing someone to help or risking tipping over and further injury. Of course they also make it much easier for anyone using a walker or pair of crutches to get around.

There are several different types of wheelchair ramps available depending on what you are planning to use them for. If you plan to use them in a building or public place you are going to need permanent access ramps, but for this project we will stick to the portable ones that can go with you anywhere you need go or are a part of the vehicle you use to transport you and your wheelchair around.

The most common type of portable wheelchair ramp is the suitcase style; these ramps are generally made of aluminium and fold up either in half or in thirds so that they can be handled easy and set up anywhere you need to get over an obstacle. These ramps can fold up small enough that you can carry them in your car or if you have one of the larger powered mobility scooter on a rack so that you always have your ramps should you need them.

You can also buy wheelchair ramps that roll up thanks to dozens of hinges that make them easy to use and take very little space to store them. If you need a longer ramp to go up a steep or long run you should stick to the single fold wheelchair ramp that has guide rails on both sides to help prevent you from rolling off the edge.

If you are looking for a wheelchair ramp for your van you should consider a telescoping ramp that is designed to slide under your van when not in use. These ramps are designed to carry much more weigh as they are designed with the mobility scooter in mind. Here is not a good place to look for a cheap wheelchair ramp as the combined weight of you and your scooter can weigh upwards of 180 to 225 kg (400 to 500 pounds) or more depending on your weight and the weight of the scooter you have.

Rather than take the risk of buying a cheap wheelchair ramp that may not be strong enough to do the job you would be better off buying a used wheelchair ramp. If you choose to go this route make sure you thoroughly inspect the ramp for bent or broken part such as hinges and pins. You can save a lot of money buying used as long as you check to make sure that it will continue to serve your needs long after you get it home. With good wheelchair ramps there is practically nowhere you cannot go, and you can finally go visit your friends and family without all the hassle.