Things you need to consider before buying a wheelchair access ramp
Unfortunately, the world is not yet as accessible as many of us disabled people would like it to be. It would be incredible if ramps, automatic doors and hearing loops were in existence everywhere, but that is sadly not yet the case.
So, for us wheelchair users who require access ramps to enter and exit buildings, sometimes it’s important to take matters into our own hands. Whether we require a wheelchair access ramp for a new home that is not as accessible as we’d like it to be, for our workplace, or for taking with us to ensure that we can access all the restaurants and shops in our local area, there are several factors to firstly consider. If you are thinking of purchasing a wheelchair access ramp in the near future but don’t quite know where to start, we hope this article will help guide you in the right direction. Please read on for our hints and tips!
How portable does it need to be?
First things first, are you looking for a wheelchair access ramp that stays in one place to solve one particular problem, or one that you can take everywhere to solve numerous ones? If you’re hoping to buy a ramp that removes the need to climb up steps to get into the front door of your home, you are going to want a wheelchair access ramp that is durable, strong and useful in all weathers. You might even be looking for a ramp that you can bolt down into place to avoid any slippage over time. If, however, you’re looking for a wheelchair access ramp that you can place into the boot of your car to make travelling, shopping or going out for meals a breeze, the weight and size of the ramps and how easy to fold it is will probably be the main factors of concern for you. Considering how portable your wheelchair access ramp needs to be would be our first suggestion on this buying journey.
Power vs Manual wheelchair users
Next, it’s time to think about your personal needs and requirements. If you are a powerchair user, you are undoubtedly going to need to focus on how much weight the ramp will take more than a manual wheelchair user will have to. You also might want to research the friction capabilities of certain ramps to ensure that you don’t get ‘wheel spin’ at the most inconvenient moments! If you are a manual wheelchair user, it might be important for the ramp to be lightweight and easy to assemble if you are often travelling independently, or you might just be looking for a threshhold ramp to get you over singular step entrances in your local area. Being aware of your own requirements will help you to be able to work out which wheelchair access ramp will best suit your needs.
Material and price
Finally, the material your wheelchair access ramp is made from, as well as how big and durable it is considered to be, will affect the price of it. For example, if you are looking for something that looks amazing but also has a steep price tag, a carbon fibre wheelchair ramp might be for you.
We hope that this article has helped you to think about the numerous things you need to consider before buying a wheelchair access ramp. Happy shopping!
If you would like to read more articles like this, such as; “Portable Wheelchair Ramp: your questions answered”, be sure to check out the rest of Invacare’s Passionate People’s blog site.
