5 Different Types of Wheelchair Ramps
Wheelchair users face difficulty while climbing stairs, getting into the car, and entering buildings. To tackle this difficult situation, portable wheelchair ramps were designed. Wheelchair ramps are designed slopes used to provide comfortable movement to wheelchairs and other mobility devices in the house or anywhere else. With these ramps, it gets easier to step up and step down while using a wheelchair.
While choosing from various wheelchair ramps, you need to consider some important factors like location of its use, need of portability, weight limit, length, width, and add-on support structure or handrails. If you have more than one mobility device then you can check the specification of various ramps to check their compatibility with all your devices.
So, based on design and the way they are used, wheelchair ramps are classified into various types.
Threshold Ramp
These ramps are used for moving in the house to overcome raised door frames. This ramp helps the wheel to smoothly pass at door frames without getting stuck. These ramps can be used to cover short distances. These ramps are usually made from recycled rubber, making them tough and weather resistant. These ramps are highly portable.
Folding Ramp
There are single, bi, and tri-fold ramps available. The single-fold ramps are also called suitcase ramps as they fold lengthwise, like a suitcase. The most common are bi-fold and tri-fold ramps. The only difference between these folding wheelchair ramps is length. To disassemble them, you have to fold them one to three times depending on the size.
They have grip handles, non-slip mats, and lips for doorways. These folding wheelchair ramps are usually made from aluminium and rubber and thus are lightweight, strong, slip-resistant, and portable.
Telescoping Ramp
These ramps are a little different from the above mentioned ramps. Unlike other ramps that have one track on which a wheelchair can pass, these ramps have two separate tracks for wheels to pass. They have different sections in them that provide length to the ramp.
These ramps can be used on different surfaces because you can extend and contract the length as per your needs. These ramps can be contracted to a manageable size making them travel friendly.
Rollable Ramp
These ramps can be called extended version of foldable ramps. These ramps have hinges all over that let them fold to a great extent. This enables the ramp to be stored in a small space making it travel friendly. These ramps are most useful on uneven grounds as they adopt the surface levels due to their type of structure.
Their length can be adjusted as per needs by just adding and removing the sections in them. Some brands also have an add-on feature of high side rails for safety.
Modular Ramp
These ramps can be used for a long time or for permanent use. These ramps are flexible as they come in sections of various shapes and heights. So you can customize your ramp according to your space. These ramps have a tongue and groove to secure various sections together. These ramps require a small amount of installation and hence can be considered semi-portable ramps.
So if accidentally any part gets damaged you don’t need to change the whole ramp. You can just replace one particular damaged section. The slop in it is adjustable and you can customize length and width as per your needs. They also come with high rails for protection.
Wrapping Up
We hope you find this article helpful for finding a wheelchair ramp for you or someone whom you know. While purchasing a wheelchair ramp, you need to consider some important factors. Wheelchair ramps that you choose must be made from material with high durability. Also, the size of the wheelchair ramp should be big enough for your wheelchair to pass smoothly. For someone who travels frequently, portable wheelchair ramps are the best choice. Just consider the size and space it will require to carry it around and you are sorted.
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