| Wheelchair ramps are a statutory necessity in building | | | | assist children, a second set of handrails in between |
| construction. The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 | | | | the top rail and the ramp surface has to be provided. |
| (ADA) gives construction specifications of wheelchair | | | | The ramp should be constructed with handrails on both |
| ramps. These ramps enable disabled persons and | | | | sides, if the ramp has a rise greater than 6 inches. The |
| patients to move into and out of buildings without | | | | gripping surface of the rail has to be continuous. The |
| undergoing undue difficulties. Hence, construction of | | | | ends of handrails should be rounded or joined to wall |
| wheelchair ramps to ADA specifications is mandatory. | | | | or post or floor to avoid injury to users. Specifications |
| A few construction consultants recommend long-tread | | | | of ADA require that the slope of a ramp should be |
| lower-riser steps. These long-tread lower-riser steps | | | | one inch or lesser for every 12 inches of ramp run. |
| are safer and easier, compared to a 1:12 slope ramp | | | | ADA further specifies that the wheelchair ramp |
| due to a stronger ground grip. However, the wheelchair | | | | surfaces must be hard, stable and regular. Soft loose |
| has to be tilted back a little, lifting the front wheels to | | | | surfaces and irregular surfaces that could impede |
| provide enough clearance to negotiate the riser. As | | | | wheelchair movement have to be avoided. Carpets, |
| such, they are useful mostly for attendant-propelled | | | | loose sand or gravel and wet clay are normally |
| wheelchairs. A sloping route constructed with a slope | | | | considered soft loose surfaces. Cobblestones and the |
| greater than 1:20 is considered a ramp in ADA | | | | like are treated as irregular surfaces. Pressure treated |
| specifications. The ADA plans for wheelchair ramps | | | | wheelchair ramps are the most suitable method of |
| are detailed in the schedules and appendices. The | | | | ramp construction. ADA recommends a static friction |
| ease of using a ramp depends on the slope as well as | | | | coefficient of more than 0.5 for surfaces used by |
| the length of the ramp. Normally, ramp slopes in the | | | | normal persons. On the other hand, the static friction |
| range of 1:16 to 1:20 are preferred. Most wheelchair | | | | coefficient recommended for ramps is 0.8 to assist |
| users can manage a slope of 1:16. However, a slope of | | | | disabled persons using wheelchairs from slipping. |
| 1:12 for a distance of about 30-ft. would be very | | | | Pressure treated wheelchair ramps would normally |
| difficult for disabled persons using wheelchairs. As | | | | conform to the ADA guidelines of slip resistant |
| such, the least possible slope has to be used in the | | | | surfaces. The do-it-yourself wheelchair ramps are |
| construction of the ramp. Construction or alteration | | | | usually made of steel. They are modular in design for |
| below the stipulated requirements is not permitted. The | | | | easy use by wheelchair persons. The ramp is normally |
| ramps must have level landings both at the bottom | | | | of steel mesh type so that water and snow do not |
| and at the top of each ramp. To comply with ADA | | | | stagnate on the ramp. These ramps are available both |
| specifications of building wheelchair ramps, the landings | | | | with handrails on both sides or without handrails. The |
| must be as wide as the ramp leading into the landing. | | | | standard widths offered vary from 30 inches to 60 |
| The minimum landing length has to be 60 inches. If | | | | inches. Lengths are determined by the needs of the |
| there is a direction change of the ramp, the minimum | | | | user. Steel turning landings are also available with sizes |
| landing size has to be 60 inches by 60 inches. Ramps | | | | of 4 ft. by 4 ft. and 5 ft. by 5 ft. Wheelchair ramps for |
| and landings with drop-offs must be protected with | | | | GMC Safari as well as GMC Safari vans fitted with |
| curbs, railings, walls or projected surfaces to protect | | | | ramps for use by disabled persons and patients are |
| users from slipping off the ramp. Outdoor ramps and | | | | available from several van dealers in most American |
| landings should be planned for complete water drain to | | | | cities. GMC Safari vans with wheelchair ramps can be |
| avoid slipping on wet surface. Handrails with a | | | | purchased for prices ranging from $6,000 to $25,000, |
| maximum height of 28 inches from the ramp surface | | | | depending on the model of the GMC Safari and its |
| to the top of the rail surface would be advisable. To | | | | condition. |