How to Build a Disability Ramp: Things to Keep in Mind

If you have a family member who is in a wheelchair or has trouble climbing stairs, it will be difficult for him to visit relatives.

You can try planning ahead and ask City Hall if they have a ramp that you can rent to visit. Some town halls have portable ramps that can be rented, but the number is limited. If you left it for the last minute, you may have missed it.

Some municipalities will put you in touch with charities for people with disabilities. The rampe handicapé will be leased. Some will allow you to use the ramp for free, but with most charities, you will have to pay or donate. This can be more expensive than you are willing to pay.

Build one

Sometimes the only option is to build it yourself. If you have carpentry skills, it will save you some money. You may have a friend to do you a favor and build it for you, but you still have to pay him some money for supplies.

If you have no idea what you are doing, you should hire someone to do it for you. This is because the ramp must be able to support the weight of a person and a wheelchair. You also need to know the dimensions of a suitable ramp.

Working with the plan

If you know how to do this and want to build a ramp yourself, then you should work on some plans. Contact your local council and see if they have any plans for your job. This way you will know the size of the wood and the dimensions you need to use. This will save you a bit of time when it comes to building your ramp.

If you decide to circle the ramp yourself, you will first need to take into account the height of the step or staircase. Then you will need to think about what angle the ramp should be in order to make it safe enough for someone to get in.

You need to think about the weight of the person and their wheelchair. You need to buy the right amount of wood to support the weight. You may need to buy very thick lumber or at least two pieces of lumber and use them for the ramp.

Railings

If the ramp is designed only as a portable ramp and someone will push the person along the ramp, then you will not need rails. If a person needs help climbing stairs, there should be handrails on the ramp. In this case, you will need to buy some metal and use a railing strip.

Non-slip surfaces

If you intend to use the ramp in all weather conditions, you should consider using non-slip mats for the top of the ramp. This will make the ramp more secure. Wheelchair wheels or shoe soles will have more grips when going uphill.

You can buy non-slip rugs at hardware stores, but they are much cheaper if you buy them online. You need to make sure the mat you buy has adhesive applied to the back of the mat and you don’t need to apply it yourself. This will make it easier for you to install the rug.