Ramp Store

 Many buildings and other "public accommodations" still do not have ADA-compliant handicapped-accessible ramps - hence the need for portable wheelchair ramps. Despite the fact that wheelchair ramps for public buildings are now required since 1992, many stores and restaurant owners have yet to comply due to the high costs. Those buildings constructed since '92 are typically not a problem, but older buildings often lack the space and proper architecture to successfully retrofit them without extensive work. Luckily, there is a relatively inexpensive solution to the problem: portable wheelchair ramps.

The ramps are manufactured and designed to be reliable and affordable. They are strong as well as being easily storable and transportable. Many models are made to fold up and easily fit in the trunk of a car or back of your van. To make carrying them easier, folding models have built-in handles. Because no installation is required, you simply unfold the ramps and set them where they are needed. Built of lightweight but strong aluminum, this type of range has up to 600-pound capacity. (The wheelchair and its occupant cannot weigh more than 600 pounds.)

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When carrying space is at a premium, you'd be wise to look into rolled portable wheelchair ramps. Roll-up ramps are just what they sound like. They are compact and can be transported in a car trunk or a trunk of a van, and they can be packed in a bag and taken with you on a plane. Though a rollup ramp might seem a little scary, be assured that they are strong and safe, with side rails to keep your wheels on the ramp and out of danger. Rollup ramps have the disadvantage that they have a shorter length than some rigid ramps. Ease of use and small storage size are what draw people to this type of ramp. The awning simply unrolls, the side rails are installed for safety and rigidity, and you are ready to enjoy it.

A company in the United Kingdom, Jetmarine, is manufacturing portable wheelchair ramps out of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) that is both lightweight and extremely strong. The ramps can support about 550 pounds of weight in total, including the wheelchair and the rider. They come in several different varieties, the most portable of which are the briefcase-style ramps and the folding channel ramps. Neither of these models should have a problem fitting into your van, although the briefcase-style might be too long for a car trunk. Both of these types also offer almost instant setup. You simply unfold and go.

In buildings that do not yet have permanent building wheelchair ramps, the use of portable wheelchair ramps has made accessibility easier for people with disabilities. No longer do the disabled have to wait in the car or be excluded from functions because there is no handicapped accessibility to a building. You can pull your own ramp from the trunk, unfold it, or roll it out and join in the fun.