If you, or someone you know, uses a wheelchair, walking stroller or is a little unsteady moving around, accessibility ramps will make it safer and easier to access various areas of a home.
Negotiating a door threshold with a little height can be a serious trip hazard to someone with reduced mobility and an uncomfortable experience for a wheelchair user. And steps could leave a person housebound or mean they have to move out of their home to somewhere more accessible.
But that needn’t be the case…
Installing accessibility ramps enables people to move around more confidently, to feel safe and gives them the freedom to remain in their own homes for longer.
Disability ramps can be internal, external, permanent or temporary. Accessibility ramps come in various options to suit a range of needs, styles and budgets, and can even blend in with their surroundings to look less ‘clinical’.
Temporary Accessibility Ramps
1. Threshold Ramps
A threshold is the raised strip of stone or wood at the bottom of a doorway. It can be a trip hazard to cross over for a person who struggles to raise their legs very high and can cause a jolting bump to someone in a wheelchair. A threshold ramp is a simple, portable and temporary solution which forms a smooth and continuous pathway at a safe gradient over a threshold. They’re often made of metal or rubber and can be used inside or outside, so long as the metal is galvanised or powder-coated. As well as providing safe access through doorways, these ramps can also be used to safely negotiate kerbs and other low-height obstacles.
2. Folding Ramps
Folding ramps are a brilliant solution for anyone who uses a mobility aid but doesn’t want a permanent ramp installed. Made from metal plates joined with hinges and with raised edges they are both robust and secure. A central handle and easy-to-use folding mechanism for compact storage mean that as well as using them in a home environment, they’re also the ideal ramp solution when out and about. Folding ramps can come in different lengths and widths to ensure that a suitable and safe gradient is maintained, this is especially important when using them to access vehicles.
3. Telescopic Ramps
A telescopic ramp will provide a quick, easy, safe and convenient accessibility solution, allowing wheelchairs or motorised scooters to negotiate areas where a change in level is required, such as low steps. Made up of two individual sections the ramps can be positioned at the exact width of your wheels and extended out approx. 1-3 metres to allow movement up and down with ease and comfort. Most telescopic ramps have end stops to prevent slipping, rubber tracks for grip and are rust-free so you can use them outside in wet weather and in your home.
4. Roll-a-Ramp
Roll-a-Ramp is a modern and revolutionary ramp design which is highly flexible and portable. It comprises individual half-foot long sections and can be purchased from a minimum length of 2 feet upwards. Sections can easily be removed or added so you can adapt the length of the ramp to different situations giving you greater access to more places. Roll-a-Ramp is constructed from lightweight but ultra-tough aluminium and has both drainage holes and anti-slip ridges for total peace of mind when using it. It rolls up for easy transportation and doesn’t require any fixings so you can take and use it anywhere.
When it comes to cost, temporary ramps are an affordable accessibility solution. Rubber threshold ramps range from £20-30, and simple portable options are approximately £60.
The Roll-a-Ramp is a pricier option because of its high flexibility and unique design, with costs ranging from £385 up in the £1000s depending on the length required.
Permanent Accessibility Ramps
If you know a ramp is going to be needed in a specific area for a long amount of time, a permanent ramp will offer stability, durability and consistent accessibility.
Gone are the days when installing permanent accessibility ramps affects the appearance of a home.
A permanent accessibility ramp doesn’t have to look like a triangle of characterless grey concrete. It can be constructed sympathetically to blend in with the surroundings by using the same style of paving, tiles or wood cladding. You could also ‘rampscape’, by removing steps and building up a gradual incline using soil to which a suitable hard surface is applied.
When installing a permanent ramp it’s important to remember that building regulations stipulate that a 1 in 12 gradient is the steepest it must be and it must be at least 900mm wide. This ensures the ramps are a safe route of travel and fully accessible. There should also be flat areas at the top and bottom of the ramp, and at midpoints on longer ramps, to allow the user to rest without fear of rolling.
Whilst handrails don’t have to be installed, it’s always a good option as they provide additional ambient support for someone who’s unsteady on their feet should they need it. You can read more about the different handrails available here.
Price-wise, each permanent ramp is individually designed and created for a specific space. Therefore, the cost will vary depending on the size and materials used. For a simple design, you’re looking at around £1500-£3000.
Modular Ramps
Modular ramps are made up of component parts which fit together to suit the layout of your home or outside space.
The pieces of a modular ramp slot and click together, a bit like a Scalextric track, forming a smooth, strong and slip-free surface to move along. The ramp can be fixed in place but is easy to dismantle when no longer required or if needed elsewhere. Local authority housing often uses these types of ramps because of their portability.
Don’t want your home to resemble a hospital…
Modular ramps can be powder coated in a range of colours which are aesthetically pleasing for a less sterile and clinical look than a plain metal finish. This means that a house needn’t look like a care facility.
The cost of modular ramps isn’t dissimilar to a permanent ramp with prices around £1500-£3000 for a basic option. It’s worth noting that the more complicated the design, with various gradients, platforms, etc, the higher the cost will be.
What Are The Benefits Of A Good Quality Ramp?
As well as providing safe accessibility options for people with reduced, limited or no independent mobility to maintain independent living for longer. High-quality accessibility ramps are well designed, built with the right durable materials and match sympathetically to their surroundings.
- Don’t look clinical
- Don’t look like a disability adaptation
- Don’t detract from the value of a property
Unsure Which Accessibility Solution Is Right For You?
With over 15 years of expertise specialising in the adaptation of houses, the John Ford Group understands that the right accessibility options can make all the difference to people living with reduced mobility and their families.
To chat through your individual needs so that we can suggest the best accessibility adaptations for you, call 01245 267333. Alternatively, you can email, or fill in the simple form on our contact page and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
