A wheelchair provides mobility and independence for people who have lost the use of their legs. Their disability may have resulted from an unfortunate accident or the effects of an illness. The wheelchair restores their ability to move around independently without the need for assistance. However, the mobility provided by a wheelchair could be restricted if homes and other buildings don't take the special needs of wheelchair users into account.
One of the primary aims of the Americans with Disabilities Act was to make the man-made world more accessible to wheelchair users. By adapting buildings and other structures to create equal access for all, it makes wheelchair users less disabled.
Wheelchair accessible construction refers to the design and modification of buildings to make them more open to disabled individuals. Adaptations like wheelchair lifts, ramps, doors that open automatically and wide hallways all make it easier for a person in a wheelchair to move freely throughout the building. Installing fixtures like sinks and water fountains at a lower height and providing extra space in rest rooms are other ways that buildings can be made more accessible. New public buildings and businesses use wheelchair accessible construction techniques from the beginning in order to comply with government mandated guidelines. But it's also possible to make existing homes and buildings more convenient for wheelchair users.
Wheelchair ramps provide accessibility to different levels. Users can easily roll their wheelchairs up or down an incline to reach another level. Ramps are normally constructed from lightweight metal, often an aluminum blend. They are often covered with a non-skid surface and have side wheel guards for greater safety. Wheelchair ramps can provide assistance in getting up onto a porch or landing, entering a van or other vehicle, or even crossing a higher than normal threshold.
Portable wheelchair ramps allow wheelchair users to equip themselves for unexpected barriers that come in the form of curbs, stairs and entry ways. Suitcase portable wheelchair ramps fold in half and have handles for carrying like a suitcase. Telescopic ramps extend like a telescope and can be set up in different lengths. Portable ramps come in a wide range of weights and sturdiness. If you plan to move the ramp often, opt for lighter weight. A sturdier ramp should be used if it will be used in only a few locations.
In some cases, there isn't enough room for a wheelchair ramp, permanent or portable. These locations often require a wheelchair lift to provide access to other levels. Wheelchair lifts work like small elevators, but they have a more specific purpose--they lift and lower a wheel chair from one level to another. They usually have a platform that is partially enclosed with sides and a gate. The wheelchair user rolls onto the platform, starts the lift with a switch or button, and is transported to the desired level where they exit the platform.
Providing access for the disabled extends beyond just getting around the house. New opportunities of all kinds are available for wheelchair users now, even sports like wheelchair accessible fishing and hunting.
New building standards provide extended freedom for wheelchair users