The right wheel chair ramp design not only allows easy access to those confined to a wheel chair but also to those with limited mobility as well. Negotiating stairs can be difficult for many people. My dad developed emphysema and could have used a chair ramp long before he was confined to a scooter. Wheel chair ramps need not be sterile looking; the right design and landscaping can actually complement the style of your home.

Many people do not realize how much space is required for an effective wheelchair ramp. The rule of thumb is 12 inches of ramp length for every inch of height. As an example, if your porch or deck is 18 inches from the ground you need at least 18 feet of ramp. For a more gentle slope, the ideal is 20 inches for every inch of height. You would then need 30 feet of ramp length.

Not many of us have 30 feet in which to install a straight ramp. Besides that, it is not very aesthetically pleasing. The solution is to add a flat landing in the middle so the person can rest. Here are few other critical wheel chair ramp design landing considerations:

- A landing is required every time the ramp changes directions

- They must be a minimum of 60 inches (5 feet) square

- They are required at the top and bottom of a wheel chair ramp

- Must be level side to side. Even a little slope makes it harder to negotiate

Chair ramps are used year round so consider the following:

- Ensure water does not pool on the surface

- Ensure the ramp is not slippery when wet or damp. Attach grit tape or add sand to polyurethane for texture

- Do not build the ramp under trees where leaves can make it slippery when wet

- Try to have it face south to catch the sun in winter

- Build a set of stairs adjacent to the top landing so those not wishing to use the ramp have access to the porch.

You also have several options for wheel chair ramps. Consider if a portable wheel chair ramp is more suitable for your particular situation. Often times, a wheel chair may be a temporary; a portable ramp is designed for the correct slope and can make 90 degree turns as well as switchbacks if required. Another popular option is a modular ramp system. They assemble quickly with common tools. Modular ramps can be configured to fit your needs and can also be moved easily.

Check your local codes department to determine the requirements for your area before building a wheel chair ramp. You will probably have to get a permit before installing the ramp. This will ensure you not only abide by local codes but also ensure your ramp is safe to use.

To learn more about wheelchair ramp design for your porch, please visit <a target=”_new” href=”http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/wheelchair-ramp-design.html”>http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/wheelchair-ramp-design.html</a>.

Dave R. Morris is a co-creator and co-founder of <a target=”_new” href=”http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/front-porch-ideas.html”>http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/front-porch-ideas.html</a>, your portal for front porch ideas and designs.

Dave is a retired Air Force officer, teacher, logistics analyst, woodworker, remodeler, and niche e-business developer. A grandfather and lover of the outdoors, Dave lives in Nashville, TN. Take a break and enjoy your porch!



A wheel chair van is a van manufactured particularly for a handicap   Wheel Chair vans are outcomes of intense modification process and planning that a regular Van undergoes to make it wheel chair handy.
A passenger wheel chair  van is tailored by the addition of both a lift or a wheel chair ramp which permits the wheel chair van customer entry to get in and out of the car. If the van is to be driven by the wheel chair owner, it’s going to require rather more intensive alterations.

Virtually any automobile can be outfitted with a lift to make it wheel chair accessible, but a wheel chair van is exclusive. It’s an alternative to automobiles with lifts because it can be modified in order that the   van client can both be a passenger, or its driver.

Being Evaluated For A Wheel chair Van

Before a wheel chair van user decides to modify a van for his  driving use, he  will need to be eligible for a driver’s license by going through an assessment. There are evaluation facilities particularly founded to carry out these assessments and determine the unique requirements of the wheel chair van user. They may even recommend the best wheel chair  van for that driver. Once getting the recommendation the wheel chair van  user ought to seek further information from those that have modified their own vans, or vendors who promote wheel chair vans.

The evaluation which determined if the user is qualified to drive a wheel chair van will examine listening  and eyesight; psychological acuity; the power to make quick judgements; cognitive skills; and the particular person’s skills to maneuver out of the wheel chair into the wheel chair van, and maneuver the chair in and out of the van.

There are many devices, together with wheel chair lifts, which may help the disabled in utilizing wheel chair vans. A wheel chair lift will allow someone, who would otherwise be unable to do so, to transfer the chair into the van.

Financial Help
Shopping for a wheel chair van is a fairly expensive decision.
Wheel chair vans can be hired or bought.Wheel chair vans are very expensive, however many makers supply financial assistance to those wouldn’t be able to afford them without help. An internet search of wheel chair van manufacturing companies will offer you details about their financial assistance programs.  You might get monetary savings by asking your insurance company to rewrite your policy for the lowest-cost coverage; on the other hand, some non-profit teams supply grants towards the acquisition of wheel chair vans.
If your price range is your most     important concern, consider a inexpensive pre-owned mini-van customized so that a wheel chair may be carried onto it and secured, and bought from a respected vendor.

Regardless of your ultimate determination, paying for an prolonged warranty on the time of your purchase could prevent significant cash on repairs down the line.
Before you buy a wheel chair van measure all the tight spaces in the consumer’s environment by which it must match; widen the required doorway and move what furniture you want to. It could be very irritating to buy a wheel chair van which is a perfect match for the person but an impossibly dangerous match for the places where it will likely be used!

Before you truly purchase a wheel chair make sure the armrests, footrests, and some other add on you want will match on the body you will have chosen. And, if you still need more info before you buy it, consult an area supplier, or carry out some online research.

The author  is the owner of  WheelChair web site .
For more information on WheelChairs types   go to http://www.the-wheelchair.com/





The wheel chair you pick out, should ultimately be based upon several things:
·    How long you’re going to be in a wheel chair.
·    Your health and physical well-being.
·    How often you must travel.
·    Cost.

Generally speaking, if you are in decent enough condition to be able to propel yourself around in a wheel chair and you expect that being in a wheel chair will be a temporary thing, then buying a manual wheel chair might be the right way to go.  Compared to electric wheel chairs, manual wheel chairs are cheaper and usually lighter.

On the other hand, if you are confined to a wheel chair or will be for a very long time, then an electric wheel chair may be the perfect route for you.  Think about this:  If you have little upper body strength and your body is not “able” enough, trying to self-propel yourself around in a manual wheel chair will make life miserable.  Why exhaust yourself trying to get around if your body is not up for it?  That’s what makes electric wheelchairs a good option.

Now there are other factors to take into consideration when choosing a wheel chair that’s right for you.  They are:

Seat Size:  This is absolutely critical to your quality of life when choosing a wheel chair.  You ideally want to have the wheel chair user sit on a measuring tape to inches to allow for heavy clothing such as winter coats.  Also, if possible, have the wheel chair user sit upright in the chair, then measure from the back of the seat to about two inches behind their knees.

You’re doing this because you want to be sure the seat is long enough to provide proper leg support without rubbing or irritating the back of their lower legs.
Keep in mind, that for a person 5’4″ and taller, the standard 19″ to 21″ seat height will work well for them, unless they’re using a wheel chair seat cushion.

If the wheel chair user is 5’4″ and shorter, then the hemi seat height of 17″ to 18″ seat height will usually be ideal for them.
And for the person who’s 4’11″ and shorter, the super hemi seat height of 14″ to 16″ is usually what you’ll want.

Then there’s the footrest of the wheel chair to take into consideration.  It’s important to know that the more the wheel chair footrest sticks out, the harder it is to maneuver the wheel chair.  And some footrests are better quality than others.  It’s inevitable that a wheel chair user will bump into objects and when that happens the footrest will usually be the part that takes the most punishment.  Here are two types of footrests to choose from:
Standard Footrest:  If the wheel chair user doesn’t need their legs elevated, but need the footrest to swing out of the way to get in and out of the wheel chair then you might want what‘s called the “Swing-Away Footrest.”  Keep in mind these footrests do not have calf pads to support the leg.

Elevating Legrest: If the wheel chair user has issues with their legs such as swelling then then this type of footrest may be ideal for them.  This footrest does have calf pads.
Finally, there are the armrests of the wheel chair to take into consideration.  There are two types:  Desk Length Arms, which are ideal for getting close to desks and tables.  There’s also Full Length Arms, which are good for the user to push themselves up from the wheelchair, or if extra arm support is required. Please note Full Length Arms take roughly 2 inches off the seat width.
One last consideration of armrests is that for people taller and shorter than the average person, you ideally want to look into adjustable arms to compensate for height requirements.

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