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Category: Ramps

Diy Portable Wheelchair Ramps

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--- DO IT YOURSELF ENTRY --------- PURPOSE: To create a do-it-yourself (DIY) portable wheelchair ramp for individuals with lower extremity or mobility disabilities or spinal cord injury and others who use a wheelchair to enter or exit to houses, shops or other locations. An individual had used store-bought ramps made of aluminum and found they did not work well and were expensive. Step 1: Calculating the ramp length - The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) recommend a 23:12 slope which means for every 2 inches of vertical rise at least 1 foot of ramp is is required, corresponding to an incline of 9.5 degrees. To determine the size of the ramp, measure (in inches) the vertical rise from the ground to where the ramp will sit on the vehicle, stairs, or threshold. Divide that measurement by 2 and the result is the length of the ramp needed for an occupied power chair. The ramp should be long enough the person in the wheelchair can comfortably ascend and descend the slope while considering the degree of ascent and the wheelchair's braking ability. Step 2: Cutting the wood joist - Wood joists are strong planks of wood designed for use as ceiling support beams in houses and are available at home improvement or hardware stores. After determining the length of the ramp, use a tape measure to mark the length on the beam, and cut the joist to the desired length. Use a triangle ruler to mark a straight line to the cut the board at a 90 degree angle from the length of the board. Step 3: Cutting the landing - The end of the board is going to rest on the ground while the other end will rest on the top of the step. Cut the base of the end that will be resting upon the ground at an angle such that the end may rest flat on the ground. Cut out a notch on the end of the board that rest on the step. Step 4: Reducing the edge of the board - On the edge of the board that rests on the top step, there will be a short ledge that the wheelchair will have to ride over. To reduce this ledge and reduce the chance of the board slipping, screw a short piece of metal with a slight bend to this edge of the board with four screws. A scrap piece of metal can be used, or two rectangular pieces of metal approximately the width of the joist and about 6 inches in length can be used. This allows the wheelchair to drive easily over this ledge and reduces the chance of the board slipping. Step 5: Add carrying handles - Attach a handle to the outside edge of each of the ramp boards. Two plastic handles can be screwed into the side of the ramps. This completes the portable ramps. These ramps are not meant to be used as permanent ramps as they can slip. To properly use these ramps, the boards should be carefully placed parallel to one another. An attendant should stand at the end of the ramp to ensure the boards do not slip as the individual in the wheelchair ascends the ramp. To go down or descend the ramp, the individual in a wheelchair should always descend the ramp backwards with an attendant to guide the chair from the rear. Never drive down the ramp facing forward. Ramps should never be used to ascend or descend more than three stairs. MATERIALS: 1 to 2 wood bean joists depending on length (if using a single beam, the beam must be at least twice the required length); metal sheet cut into four pieces the width of the wood joist and approximately 6 inches in length; 2 handles; and 18 screws. TOOLS: Saw, drill gun, gloves, tape measure, triangle ruler, and a marking pen or pencil. SKILLS REQUIRED: Moderate craft ability. AUTHOR: nelson8815. AUTHOR: DarkRubyMoon. TITLE: Portable Wheelchair ramps. WEBSITE: Instructables. REF: http://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-Wheelchair-ramps.

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as of: 
07/30/2013
Diy Portable Wheelchair Ramps