What Should Comprise Your Wheelchair Ramp Design?

Are you building a wheelchair ramp? It may have become a recent necessity or maybe you're moving to a new home and need to add the accessibility. Whatever needs you may have, if this is your first attempt at such a project, you'll want to know what your wheelchair ramp design needs. The width, slope, and other design details are no longer just left to your best judgment. They are now regulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the guidelines they have created are for the betterment of accessibility. So what will you need to consider with your wheelchair ramp design?

Tips On Wheelchair Ramp Design

Ramp Design Considerations

The ADA wheelchair ramp design guidelines make ramps safer but also much easier to use. And having to meet these codes means that wheelchair users can easily and safely access most public buildings.

The ADA specifies requirements for:

Ramp Slope

For maximum accessibility, the ADA wheelchair ramp specifications requires that the slope ratio be 1 inch of rise to 1 foot of run. The most comfortable slope in your situation will vary. Some may need as low a rise as possible to make it up the ramp by themselves. Others need less. So determine what rise will be most usable in your situation when making up a ramp design.

Ramp Landings

In your wheelchair ramp design, you will need to factor in the landing. In fact, depending on the home, you may have to design a wheelchair ramp that's a bit more complicated and zigzags or wraps around your house. If this is the case, you may have multiple landings. Whether you have one or several, you need to make the landings broad enough for the person to turn around in, which is about 5 feet square in most cases.

Ramp Materials

You have a lot of materials to choose from in your ramp design. The ADA does not specify certain materials you should or should not use. However, what material you do pick should be approved for outdoor use. The ramp should have some amount of texture for better grip and be made to prevent slipping when it's wet. Popular ramp material choices:

  • Concrete

  • Various metals like aluminum

  • Wood

Ramp Handrails

Handrails on both sides on your wheelchair ramp design are imperative. These basic features will allow the person to easily glide up the ramp without assistance. These rails should be between 34-38 inches off the floor. They need to be sturdy and rounded off at the ends for safety's sake.

The DIY Project

If you want to build a wheelchair ramp yourself, you don't necessarily have to make your ramp design from scratch as that may be intimidating. Look for free online wheelchair ramps designs as at least a starting place for your own ramp design. Then there are mechanical design ramps often used for access into cars and vans.

Follow the ADA requirements for a wheelchair ramp design that is efficient and functional as well as safe and easy to use for your loved one. Use the basic guidelines for slope, landings, materials, and handrails to design the perfect wheelchair ramp.