Portable wheelchair ramps are a convenient way for a wheelchair user to access any area they like and experience greater freedom. Wheelchair ramps can be used to get over steps, to access steep entrances into buildings, to access vehicles and to navigate steep curbs. There are a variety of different types of portable ramps available and it’s important to research the right one for your requirements before you make a purchase. Consider what type of wheelchair you have, what types of incline you most often navigate and how easily you can transport the ramp before you choose the right ramp for your requirements…

Rollup ramps

Rollup ramps are flexible and highly portable as they are lightweight and small in size which makes them ideal to fit in a vehicle or to attach to the wheelchair for everyday use. They are simple to use and can be unrolled to provide a ramp which the wheelchair can then mount. The major disadvantage with these ramps used to be that they were generally only available in lengths of three or five feet but they have advanced in recent years and they can be shortened and lengthened to fit a variety of different disability applications.

Multi-fold ramps

The multi-fold ramps consist of four sections which fold into a heavy duty portable ramp. This type of ramp is available in lengths up to 12 feet and is ideal for heavier wheelchair users as they are so sturdy. These ramps do tend to be heavy in weight so they are not ideal for everyday use as they can be awkward to transport. The multi-fold ramps are a good choice for entering and exiting larger vehicles such as SUVs.

Single-fold ramps

The single-folded wheelchair ramps are generally light and can tolerate a high weight capacity. They would be the ideal ramp to cross mid-height inclines. The drawback with these ramps is that they retain their full length when folded which can make them difficult to carry and transport. If you just require the ramp for a single purpose though and that fits into the category of mid-height then the single-fold ramp would be fine.

Track ramps

Track ramps are extremely versatile as they allow access to short steps but can also be extended to cover higher inclines and there are some models on the market which extend to up to ten feet. The only drawback to this ramp is that it can only be used on a two-wheel wheelchair. The ramps come in pairs and each ramp acts as a track under each side of the wheelchair so if you have a power scooter or a three-wheel wheelchair for example then this ramp wouldn’t be suitable.

Before you make a final decision on the ramp you need, it would be advisable to work out what the ramp will mostly be used for, some companies have ramp calculators on their websites which will help you to decide which type would be best for you.

There are millions of people all over the world with many types of disabilities. Several of these disabilities make it extremely difficult for wheelchair-bound individuals to gain access to the necessities they need – particularly bathrooms

Bathrooms can pose extreme barriers for disabled people and can make an ordinarily simple task time consuming, frustrating and often impossible.

Creating a wheelchair accessible washroom – whether for residential or commercial purposes – has become more and more popular. If you’re thinking of creating a new wheelchair accessible washroom – or updating an existing bathroom to accommodate wheelchairs – there are several things you’ll want to consider.

1. Doorway Widening. Before you even consider the wheelchair bathroom accessories, you need to make sure a standard wheelchair can fit through the door of your washroom. A standard wheelchair is 24-17″ wide. A wheelchair accessible bathroom doorway should be a minimum of 32″ wide.

2. Grab Bars. Safety grab bars make it easier and more convenient for wheelchair bound individuals to gain appropriate access to all areas of the bathroom. Installing grab bars next to the toilet and near bathing areas and inside showers and tubs is essential. You may also want to consider installing grab bars behind the toilet and installing roll-under sinks and vanities.

3. Accessible Showers and Bathtubs. Residential washrooms where one or more of the residents (or even a close family member who visits often) should be converted to accommodate wheelchairs. Roll-in showers and walk-in bath tubs are a great way to make the showering process easier.

4. Tilted Mirrors and Accessible Cabinets. Wheelchair accommodating washrooms should definitely have at least one tilted mirror for disabled individuals. There’s no sense building an entire washroom for easy wheelchair access if you’re going to leave out the mirror. As we mentioned before, roll under sinks and counters are also very accommodating for wheelchair-bound individuals.

We hope our tips have helped and we’re happy to hear you’re taking the time to research the necessities of a wheelchair accessible bathroom. It’s not an easy task, but it’s worth the work in the end.