Portable Handicap Ramps |
Certain standards have been set forth in the Americans with Disability Act or ADA to define the construction of mobility aids including mobility equipment for people with disabilities. One such example is the handicap ramp which according to the act is essentially for the use of wheelchair bound handicaps when either lifts (stair lift, platform lifts, etc.) or elevators are not present. The ramps will serve as the main access system of wheelchair bound senior & handicap people to the other levels of the building. Furthermore, it defines a ramp as any service access that has a slope ratio of more than 1:20. In reality though, slope run between 1:16 to 1:20 ratios.
Because of the usefulness of ramps, many variations to the design have been introduced to serve as mobility equipment for people with disability. Express Ramps and National Wheelchair Ramps are two manufacturers who have introduced such innovations in the form of portable handicap ramp. Find out what type of portable handicap ramp suits your needs and lifestyle.
Advantage Suitcase
This is a 2-piece portable ramp that has a length of anywhere from two to six feet. It can be folded and stored quickly with self-adjusting transition plates at the bottom capable supporting weights up to 800 pounds. This handicap ramp length is ideal for most wheelchairs as well as scooters for easier access. It can also be hooked up to a minivan with ease. The 29.75 inches width is ample space enough for a wheelchair ramp or be positioned in a wheelchair accessible van. It is ideal as adaptive equipment if you have a wheelchair van rental. The same can be said if you do not have a handicap accessible van. It can be your solution for vans to meet the mobility equipment requirement to help physically challenged passengers. The design of the Advantage Suitcase portable ramp is ideal for loading and unloading manual and electric wheelchairs. It can also accommodate 3- or 4-wheeled scooters as well as walkers.A drawback to this design though is that it only folds down the center and not based on the entire length. This means that despite its portability it can be quite difficult to carry around especially if you have to load a six foot long handicap ramp into your minivan. Another issue is that the two-foot long version which is the handiest does not have a carrying handle making storage a bit challenging. However, if storage is not an issue for you, then you will have no problem splitting it into two smaller pieces and carrying it along.
Signature Suitcase
Ideally used for stairs, vehicles, and decks it has lengths that range from two to eight feet long. It has a single fold design that makes storing or moving comparatively easy. It can handle almost all types of scooter and wheelchairs including electric wheelchair, all-terrain wheelchairs, and more. Portability, safety, and durability are the main focus for this portable handicap ramp which is made of aluminum. It can easily bridge gaps commonly found on steps, raised landings, and curbs. The design of the Signature Suitcase allows it to be used in minivans that have no van conversions or are not considered wheelchair accessible. For wheelchair accessible vans, it can also be used as an additional access point regardless whether the handicap accessible vehicle has a rear or side entry configuration. Capable of supporting a maximum weight of 800 pounds at any given time, it has a non-skid surface to prevent accidents caused by moisture and water.Much like the Advantage Series, unhinging this portable handicap ramp will only fold it down the center and not shorter than its length. Once folded half its width the carrying handles allow the user to tuck it away for storage or load it onto the vehicle provided there is enough room. Again, the main problem with this model would be the seemingly lack of portability. However, its design makes it ideal either for outdoor or indoor use to deliver additional mobility and accessibility.
Advantage Trifold
This two-piece portable ramp is considered lighter and more compact compared to the Advantage Suitcase and Signature Suitcase models. It also has a self-adjusting plate at the bottom which is adequate enough to support 800 pounds of additional weight form other mobility aids. The available lengths are from five to ten feet with a standard width of 29.75 inches. Each piece has a carrying handle installed at the side for easier moving and storing. The design allows it to handle almost every type of wheelchairs in the market from manual wheelchair to all-terrain wheelchairs. Walkers and scooters used by senior & handicap people can also be accommodated by the Advantage Trifold portable ramp.Perhaps one of its best features is its easy storage and handling. By simply removing two pins its width and length is split into half. The same simplicity of storage applies to setting up; just put back the two pins and position it accordingly whether on a fixed surface or a vehicle that is not wheelchair accessible and it’s ready for use. Durability wise it is made of the same type of aluminum used in aircrafts. Potential problem would be the length because the shortest would be five feet. This can pose some storage problems if you have a minivan and you want to carry this portable handicap ramp along.
Option to consider
When considering buying a portable handicap ramp, it may be wise to consider one of its more functional options, the Top Lip Extension. This option will allow the transition plate to bridge deeper into any vehicle providing better access to narrow doors and easier access to the rear door. There will be significant ease and comfort when riding or getting off a vehicle supported by a portable handicap ramp. This option can also be used if the portable handicap ramp will be positioned on door thresholds and other similar places. Warranty on this option may vary with the warranty for the portable ramp, talk to the dealer for clarification.Now that some details are clearer, you know the type of adaptive equipment you need either for vehicles or for your home. Knowing the types of terrain or configuration where the equipment will be used as well as the type of load it will carry will lead you to the best portable handicap ramp model that satisfies your needs.
