About Handicap Ramps and Lifts

Significance

Wheelchair ramps and lifts are an important step in helping those who have to use wheelchairs to get around. Thanks to laws that have made it illegal for businesses not to have handicap-accessible entrances and exits, as well as other new laws that are springing up, wheelchairs can get around almost anywhere. Ramps and lifts are a way for them to easily access buildings and get into vehicles.

Function

The wheelchair ramp is found mainly at the entrance or exit to a building. It allows those in wheelchairs to simply roll up to the door since they cannot go up the stairs. Often buildings are designed with both stairs and ramps. People may install ramps at their houses as well if they have friends or relatives who need them. A wheelchair lift is used in vehicles to lower a chair in and out of the vehicle.

Disadvantages

There are some setbacks to the use of ramps and lifts. Lifts can be expensive, and many vehicles do not have them. This makes it harder for someone to get in and out. They also are found most commonly on vans because smaller vehicles do not have room for them. While wheelchair ramps are cheaper to build or install, many homes do not have them. This can be problematic for people using wheelchairs.

Ramps

While required by law in public businesses, ramps have the advantage of being cheap, making places easier to access. They are more popular than lifts because many places can be used without the need of a lift. They can also be built by hand in your own home.

Lifts

Lifts are less popular since they are primarily for vehicles and often cannot be built by hand. The materials are expensive and, if something goes wrong, it could cause a lot of damage. Ramps can be installed for getting out of vehicles as well, so the need for a lift has been cut back. It all depends on the person and the amount of money he can spend on materials.