|
Disability
Ramps
Building Fixed Ramps
Planning the Ramp
Portable Ramps
Long-Tread, Low-Riser Steps
What to Consider in Choosing a Building
Contractor for a Ramp
Funding Assistance Ramps
Tax Deductions for Home Modifications
Additional Resources
A ramp
allows a person with mobility impairments, particularly those who use
wheelchairs, to go up or down safely. The
Americans
with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design, Section 4.8
lays out the requirements for ramps that allow safe access to public
programs, places of employment for employees, and places of public
accommodation such as restaurants and hotels. The Fair Housing Act
contains the requirements for ramps in multi-unit and public housing.
Finally, state and local building codes contain the accessibility
requirements for places of public accommodation and other public
buildings. There are no accessibility requirements for private single
family homes, but the information contained here can be useful in
building usable ramps.
The following is a brief overview on how to build ramps and liberally
uses the material contained in the
Minnesota Ramp Project.
York County permit requirements must be consulted before building a
ramp. For specific information concerning a building permit for a ramp,
contact
Building Permits and Inspections,
Building Regulations Office, 103 Service Drive, Yorktown, VA 23692,
(757) 890-3522.
Consumers should know that the
Americans with Disabilities Act and the
Fair Housing Act
Design Manual
transcends any limiting provisions that may be contained in legal
housing documents such as homeowner association by-laws, condominium
covenants, and apartment rental agreements. In many cases, homeowners
and condominium associations and landlords must allow reasonable
accommodations for residents with disabilities to enjoy their homes,
even if the cost of modifications fall on the residents.
Generally speaking, the ADA Guidelines for Accessible Buildings define
the best ramps as those with:
-
A
gentle slope (no more than a 1-inch rise for every 12 inches or 20
inches in length, but up to a 1-inch rise for every 8 inches is
allowed).
-
Little or no crosswise slope (no more than a ¼-inch rise for every
12 inches in width, i.e. practically level crosswise).
-
Landings at the top, bottom, and in the middle if there is a change
of direction in the ramp or a total rise greater than 30 inches.
-
Handrails.
-
A
slip-resistant surface.
Each of
these features is discussed below.
In
addition, the site conditions for the ramp should be considered, keeping
in mind safety first. Secondly, the needs of the person who will use the
ramp most must be considered. Some questions to ask prior to building
the ramp include the following:
-
Will
the ramp be inside or outside?
-
If
outside, how much of it will be protected from the elements?
-
Will
the ramp be added to new construction or an existing structure?
-
Which entryway will be best for the ramp, considering an accessible
route once inside?
-
What
are the local zoning requirements?
-
What
will be the cost of the ramp, and how will it be paid for?
-
Does
the primary user use a wheelchair, and is it a power or manual
chair?
-
Will
the primary user’s mobility needs change over time or remain the
same?
Safety
should always be the main consideration in constructing a ramp. Several
excellent references provide detailed step-by-step instructions on the
construction and/or installation of a ramp. The most comprehensive
resource, however, is the Minnesota Ramp Project’s Ramp Manual, a complete step-by-step
construction manual available
online or
for purchase by calling (651) 646-8342. A companion videotape is also
available for purchase.
Go to Top of Page
To
determine how much space a ramp requires, start with the amount of rise
the ramp has to cover. For example, the project involves building an
exterior ramp that will go up two feet (24 inches). Assume that the ramp
will have a 1:20 slope. Therefore, the following applies:
-
The required length of the
horizontal projection can be determined as follows:
-
The
ramp will have a 5-foot landing at the bottom and a 5-foot landing
at the top.
-
Since the rise is less than 30 inches, an intermediate landing is
not required.
-
Thus, the entire ramp length in this example is 50 feet (the
horizontal projection of 40 feet, plus the 2 ramp landings of 5 feet
each).
In
laying out the ramp, consideration should be given to any possible
zoning requirements and whether a setback variance would be needed. Information on the zoning processes can be found at
Zoning/Code
Enforcement or
by calling (757) 890-3524.
Go to Top of Page
Portable
ramps can work as well as fixed ramps when there is a small change in
level. The size and length of portable ramps depend on the total height
and the number of steps. Portable ramps may be available from vendors of
medical equipment and supplies; look in the phone book for possible
vendors. They can be rented for a short-term need, or purchased. Since
they do not have landings, consumers should be careful that there is
adequate landing space at the top and bottom of where the ramps will be
used.
Go to Top of Page
When
construction of a ramp is impractical, and/or the person who will use it
uses mobility aids such as a walker or a cane, long-tread, low-riser
steps may be a good alternative for some. Long-tread low-riser steps
have sufficient space for mobility aids and the gentle rise in the step
make them easy to navigate. In addition, some users of manual
wheelchairs can use long-tread low-riser steps safely with assistance. They are not a good alternative for people who use power chairs or other
power mobility aids such as scooters. For more information on long-tread,
low-riser steps, visit the
Minnesota Ramp Project
website, or contact them at (651) 646-8342.
Go to Top of Page
Depending on the requirements for the person using the ramp, a
contractor may not be needed. A handy do-it-yourself person can obtain a
permit for an entry landing and ramp that follows the “York County
Typical Deck Details”. Most landings and steps can be built to these specifications.
A good
rule of thumb for getting the right contractor is getting three written
quotes or estimates for the work to be done. A good source of
information for ramp contractors is the
Endependence Center,
Inc., phone: (757) 461-8007.
Consumers should determine if the contractors they wish to hire are
properly licensed to do business in Virginia. To determine if
contractors are licensed in Virginia, an
online search by the Virginia Department of Professional and
Occupational Regulation is available.
The department can also be reached at (804) 367-8500.
Go to Top of Page
There
are several local funding agencies that a person can contact to help pay
for home modifications for accessibility, including ramps, through
grants and low-cost loans. These agencies usually have eligibility
requirements and an intake process, which often includes a determination
of the applicant’s income and status as a person with a disability or a
senior. Some local resources for funding assistance are listed
below:
York
County Division of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization
Information, referrals, and grants available for housing projects to
improve the individual’s quality of life.
Assistive Technology
Loan Fund Authority (ATLFA)
Variety of loan programs for consumers for assistive
technology, including home and vehicle modifications. Also has a
Consumer Service fund for consumers unable to get financing through
other means.
1602 Rolling Hills Drive, Suite 107
Richmond, Virginia 23229
Telephone: (804) 662-9000
Toll-Free: (866) 835-5976
Endependence Center, Inc.
6300 East Virginia
Beach Blvd.
Norfolk, VA
23502-2827
Phone:(757) 461-8007
Other funding possibilities include private insurance,
as well as civic
and fraternal organizations, such as the Lion’s and Kiwanis Clubs. In
addition, some banks and credit unions offer special rates and terms for
loans to make homes accessible. Consumers should contact their banks and
credit unions, and ask if such services are available.
Go to Top of Page
Virginia
offers the
Home Accessibility for the Disabled Tax Credit. It allows
taxpayers to deduct up to 25% of the cost of home modifications for
accessibility, up to a maximum of $500.00. Unused credit can be carried
over for up to five years. You must apply for and receive certification
for the credit before claiming it on your tax return.
File Form HAC
(Home Accessibility Credit) with the Department of Taxation, Tax
Credit Unit, P. O. Box 715, Richmond, VA 23218-0715. Applications must
be received by March 15 of the year following the year in which the work
was completed. To order forms, call (804) 440-2541.
The cost of a permanent modification may be also be tax deductible on
Federal income tax returns. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides
detailed information on this deduction in Publication 502-Medical and
Dental Expenses. The publication is available
online
or by calling 1-800-829-3676.
Go to Top of Page
Abledata has a fact sheet entitled
“Ramps & Accessible Thresholds”, (Fact Sheet 27).
For additional information or if you are unable to access the fact
sheet from the above link, please call 1-800-227-0216 or (301)
608-8998.
The
Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University has a
publication, “Wood
Ramp Design: How to Add a Ramp that Looks Good and Works Too”,
For additional information, or if you are unable to access the
publication from the above link, please call 1-800-647-6777.
Go to Top of Page
BACK
|
