All About EZ Access Portable Handicap Aluminum Ramps
, by Richard Spafford, 4 min reading time
For people living with limited mobility, it can be difficult to access places that have elevated entrances, stairs, or don’t have permanent ramps put in place. This can limit the places and activities that can be done, especially if you don’t have an alternative way of getting around and inside. Thankfully, there is a solution. Wheelchair ramps!
Both temporary and permanent ramps are the answer to many accessibility problems for people living with limited mobility. If you’re interested in learning how wheelchair ramps can make your life easier, here is what you need to know.
How Do Ramps Make Life Easier?
Ramps are essential to many wheelchair users and others who may struggle with navigating stairs, and are a great solution to invest in. They can also have many benefits aside from just aiding in mobility, as they can also make loading heavy items around the home much easier for able-bodied individuals as well. A few of the most significant advantages include:
- Easy Access to Vehicles: For wheelchair users, access to vehicles can be difficult making it hard to get to the places you want to. Portable ramps make this easier by providing a safe means of access into and out of the vehicle without needing to get out of your chair. While some vans have built-in lifting ramps, those can be expensive and hard to come by. Having your own portable ramp on hand ensures that you always have access no matter what. Portable ramps can also provide your caregiver the ability to load your mobility device into the back of the vehicle safely and easily so that they don’t have to pick it up.
- Creating Access at Homes or Businesses: If you want to visit a friend or relative but struggle because their home isn’t accessible, a portable ramp can remove this obstacle. It can also be used when you need access to a business that doesn’t have a ramp built-in. This helps open up more places that would have otherwise been a struggle to get into.
- Navigating Doorways: Some thresholds have lips that can make it difficult to get in and out of using a wheelchair without considerable effort. A portable ramp designed to cover these areas can make navigation easier allowing for seamless movement without unnecessary effort.
- Moving Heavy Objects: There are also recreational portable ramps that can be used for loading and unloading heavy items from vehicles or other elevated areas around your home. This can include mowers, motorcycles, four-wheelers, and bulky furniture. By having a ramp on hand, you can easily load these items without hassle or the need for heavy lifting. It can also help prevent accidents that might have occurred had you attempted to load the items without a ramp.
Additional Benefits
While the tangible benefits may be obvious, the personal benefits may be less so. For instance, wheelchair users and others with limited mobility can achieve a greater sense of independence both in and out of their homes because of these portable ramps. Having an easy access ramp on hand that can provide temporary access can help users be able to go out and visit locations that would have otherwise been closed off. The importance of this sense of independence cannot be overstated as it is something that many people can struggle with once their mobility becomes limited.
What Kinds of Ramps Are There?
When looking for the perfect ramp for your needs, there are a lot to choose from. Threshold ramps and mats allow for easy access through doorways with hard-to-navigate lips or rises. For situations where stairs need to be overcome, single-folding and tri-folding ramps are available and allow for ultimate portability. For instances where you want a more permanent solution, you can also consider modular ramp systems that can be put together and left for as long as needed. An access system like this is great to use at your own home, and when coupled with access mats it can make getting in and out of your home much easier.
If you or someone you know is struggling with limited mobility, consider how these ramp options can make accessibility easier. Take into consideration the areas and places that would benefit most from their inclusion. If home navigation is a major factor, threshold ramps and possibly an outdoor ramp may be necessary. Similarly, if getting around outside of the home is a major concern, a portable ramp to keep on hand may be for you. Wheelchair ramps have many uses and many benefits, but above all, they can help make navigating through life much easier.