**Design Standards:**
– In the US, ADA requires a slope of 1:12 for wheelchairs and scooters
– UK guidelines recommend a maximum 1:12 slope for ramps
– Hong Kong limits wheelchair ramp slopes to 1:12
– Australia’s National Construction Code requires a 1 in 8 incline for ramps
**Vehicle Ramps:**
– Vehicles like buses, trams, and cars may have built-in or portable ramps
– Major automotive companies offer rebates for portable ramps
– Access to buses and trams may involve a retractable ramp
– Ramps facilitate entry and exit for all passengers
– Mobility access equipment rebates are offered for new vehicles
**Related Mechanisms:**
– Adapted automobile
– Bridge plate (mechanism)
– Wheelchair lift
**Historical Perspective:**
– Ramps for disabled people date back to ancient Greece
**Regulations and Resources:**
– 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
– Mobility Advisor provides information on ADA wheelchair ramp specs
– Handi-Lift compares ramps vs. lifts
– United Nations Enable details the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (October 2012) |
A wheelchair ramp is an inclined plane installed in addition to or instead of stairs. Ramps permit wheelchair users, as well as people pushing strollers, carts, or other wheeled objects, to more easily access a building, or navigate between areas of different height. Ramps for accessibility may predate the wheelchair and are found in ancient Greece.
A wheelchair ramp can be permanent, semi-permanent or portable. Permanent ramps are designed to be bolted or otherwise attached in place. Semi-permanent ramps rest on top of the ground or concrete pad and are commonly used for the short term. Permanent and semi-permanent ramps are usually of aluminum, concrete or wood. Portable ramps are usually aluminum and typically fold for ease of transport. Portable ramps are primarily intended for home and building use but can also be used with vans to load an unoccupied mobility device or to load an occupied mobility device when both the device and the passenger are easy to handle.
Ramps must be carefully designed in order to be useful. In many places, laws dictate a ramp's minimum width and maximum slope.
In general, reduced incline rises are easier for wheelchair users to traverse and are safer in icy climates. However, they consume more space and require traveling a greater distance to go up. Hence, in some cases it is preferable to include an elevator or other type of wheelchair lift.
In many countries, wheelchair ramps and other features to facilitate universal access are required by building code when constructing new facilities which are open to the public. Internationally, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities mandates nations take action to "enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life." Among other requirements, it compels countries to institute "minimum standards and guidelines..." for accessibility.
Definition from ChatGPT:
Wheelchair ramp:
A wheelchair ramp is an inclined surface that provides access for individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility aids to navigate between different levels of a building or outdoor space. It allows for easier movement for individuals with mobility challenges by eliminating the need to navigate stairs.