Access Ramps

Any access to a building or vehicle needs to be easy to maneuver. There are some older buildings that have steps up to the front of them and this is where people with disabilities may have difficulty accessing the building. The arrival of access ramps has done more to help the disadvantaged get around than just about anything else. Companies are taking into account the needs of wheelchair-users and when new buildings are commissioned ramps are included in the design as standard. Providing access ramps as part of the fabric of the building design is the most cost effective way to address access problems.

Ramps can come in a range of shapes and sizes and inclinations. Some ramps can be built into the fabric of a building to provide permanent access ramps for anyone to use. People who can walk or who have difficulty walking may also find these really useful. The permanent access ramps will generally have a handrail accompanying them so if a person does use a stick then they can support themselves with the handrail on one side and with the stick in the other hand. The access ramps are also suitable for wheelchair users.

Different kinds of ramps

Although access ramps are important, the material from which they are made could be just as essential. For a ramp that is used often, a wooden structure is quickly going to need replacement. Ramps made from concrete or stone-based building materials are clearly more expensive but are also more durable. Planning permission would also be required for permanent structures such as this affixed to a house or building. Aluminum access ramps offer a more affordable solution that is durable, strong and lightweight too, so it can be moved more easily if and when required. Aluminum is a better material to work with if it needs to be changed in shape or size.

Ramps for access to containers

Access ramps are by no means limited to buildings; they are used on a commercial basis too. Many business premises use huge storage containers to house their stock and supplies. Larger items are also stored in the same way so there needs to be some kind of mechanized movement for them. This may include the use of a forklift for which an access ramp would be needed to give it access to the container.

Portable access ramps

Portable access ramps are quite common for vehicles. These are lightweight and can be easily stored in a vehicle and used when needed. Access ramps used for vehicles are a quick and easy solution and the best part is that they are not too expensive. Access ramps of this type can be a lifeline to someone who is wheelchair-bound and as they are not heavy or cumbersome, enabling them to be stored away easily.

Rollup access ramps

A rollup access ramp can provide access for a wheelchair where a short ramp is needed. These cannot be used for much larger than 2 steps up to a building or a house but are excellent measures for getting a wheelchair over a threshold.