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Wheelchair Ramps Guide

Portable Handicap Ramp Options

How to choose wheelchair ramps

Threshold Ramps ~ Suitcase Ramps ~ Rollup Ramp ~ Telescoping Ramps

If you're in need of a wheelchair or scooter, one thing you'll soon discover is that the world is not so easy to inhabit anymore. Getting in and out of your own home is probably the first thing you'll have to contend with, and adding a permanent wheelchair ramp, stair lift or elevator may be the way you decide to go.

However, as soon as you leave your home, you're likely to be run into problems again. If you have a scooter, or motorized wheelchair, or any type of self-propelled wheelchair, a street curb or threshold can literally stop you in your tracks.

So what to do?

Luckily, others have come up with the idea of portable ramps, and these mobility products can literally take the edge off of many encounters.

There are basically four types of portable wheelchair ramps available. Even with a permanent structure in place, it's quite likely that you'll also need one of the other portable types of ramps available - threshold, suitcase, rollup and telescoping.

Here's some information to help guide your decision....

Threshold Ramps

The simplest, and probably most commonly used, is the threshold wheelchair ramp. It's a simple wedge shaped design that allows a wheelchair or scooter to enter a building by providing a mini-ramp for access.

This type of ramp will allow wheelchair or scooter door access from a height of about 1 inch to just over 6 inches. The ramps are typically made of rubber or metal, and are usually 34 inches wide to accommodate most door widths. Most of these types of ramps are portable, although typically the ramp would remain stationed in one place.

Suitcase Ramps

A suitcase wheelchair ramp gets its name from the way that it's stored and carried. When open, this wheelchair ramp provides a solid surface that can be applied over stairs or to bridge a gap from the ground to a van. The ramp can then be folded up (usually with only one fold along its length) and easily moved or stored.

This type of handicap ramp comes in lengths of 2 feet to 6 feet and can be used to bridge the gap over curbs, steps or raised landings, as well as van entry. They are suitable for all types of wheelchairs and scooters, however be sure to check the maximum weight ratings.

Rollup Ramps

A newer type of wheelchair ramp is a rollup ramp. This type of wheelchair ramp was designed for portability. With this type of ramp, the central ramp area is stored as a rolled up cylinder. When ready for use, you just roll out the central track and attach the side rails to create a rigid surface. The side rails act as a bumper guide, and add strength to the ramp area. When the ramp is no longer needed, you just remove side rails and roll-up the middle ramp section.

This type of ramp, made of lightweight aluminum, comes in a nylon bag for easy transport.

Telescoping Ramps

This type of ramp is the simplest in design, and perhaps the easiest to transport. It consists of two thin ramps that are strategically placed to provide a ramp for each side of the wheelchair. A telescoping ramp is adjustable up to five feet in length, and locks into place with snap buttons. The tracks are U-shaped for added safety.

A telescoping ramp usually come in 3 sections that link together, which makes it easy to carry and store. The ramp is usually stored in a bag, that can hange over wheelchair handles.

How to choose

With all type of wheelchair ramps, it's important to check both the weight specifications to make sure that it will handle the weight for both you and your wheelchair or scooter.

Also, ensure that the length and height of the ramp are suitable for your your particular situation. It may well be that you'll want more than one handicap ramp to meet different needs. Being able to make a doorway accessible, or providing curb access on your property may well require semi-permanent placement of one of these ramps.

However, portability and ease of access may be more of an issue for when you are in the community. For instance, will you have assistance to obtain your ramp and place it where it's needed? What weight and size configuration is easiest for your assistant to handle?

Do you need to also use the portable ramp for access to your van? Which ramp is best suited for that purpose? It may not be the same type of ramp best suited for other purposes, so you may want to budget for a separate ramp for that purpose.

Remember that not all ramps are designed for scooters, so be sure to take that into consideration as well.

Lastly, consider what type of portable ramp is most appropriate for where and how you will be storing and transporting your ramp so that it will be ready for use when you need it. Consider both home / indoor storage as well as portable storage needs. Will the handicap ramp you choose fit well in your vehicle or storage area? Will it be easy to store at your destination, or carry it with you as needed?

Making the right decision in your choices of ramps will have an impact on your ability to comfortably travel and interact in your community, so take the time to choose the right mobility products for you.

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