Some buildings and homes are created with the universal design in mind. The universal design meets the standards of all users, not just the average person. In order to accommodate mobile disabled people, building a wheelchair ramp is a necessity for some homes.

There are steps that can be taken to improve the accessibility to help people with mobile disabilities .

First, know the size of the wheelchair that needs to be accommodated for. Wheelchairs vary a lot in size. Some are more portable, meant for travel, while others are designed for bariatric users. Knowing the right wheelchair is important to make sure the home has the right dimensions for the door and other spaces in the home. The ramp should be at least 2 feet wider than the wheelchair. The length of the ramp will depend on how many steps there are. For best practices, measure the stairs from the top step to the ground.

Some homes have double doors. If this is so, it will be a good idea to unlock both doors to make it easier to get through.

Arrange furniture in the middle of the room or all the way to the wall, clearing a path to make it easier for a mobile disabled person to move around. Wheelchairs are usually wider than a table, so expect the room to be the size of 1 and half guests to make sure there will be ample room. If the table is square, have the wheelchair user be at a corner, so it will be easier to get in and out with out bothering others.

If you have a rug that is cumbersome to have someone with a wheelchair move around, you want to either remove it or put another type of textile to make it easier to move around. If there is tile or marble on the floor, find out if its easy to skid. You can always put a carpet runner to prevent skidding.

Portable ramps are inexpensive way to help wheelchair users to get have easier access to homes. The slope of a ramp should not exceed 1 inch of rise for every 1 foot of length. Handrails need to be installed if the slope of the ramp exceeds a rise greater than 6 inches

There are two different types of ramps Suitcase portable wheelchair ramps ($90 to $280) are standard, single-folding units that fold in half and are carried like a suitcase with handles. Telescopic portable wheelchair ramps ($300 to $600) are more expensive. These unload quickly, similar to unpacking a telescope, and provide smoother adjustments to varied lengths.


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