Home Access Answer
Ramp “Hide and Seek”
by Jane Hampton, CID. Access Specialist
Dear Jane,
We need a ramp installed
at our home. My husband can no longer climb stairs. We’re over 68 years old and are concerned about safety,
but don’t want to advertise to those who pass by that we
are vulnerable. Do you have any suggestions?
Eileen, Minneapolis, MN
Dear Eileen,
Many seniors with
disabilities are concerned about safety. They do not want to become “targets” for
crime. There are two ramp-building locations we recommended instead
of placing the ramp at the front-entrance door to the house.
If you have an attached
garage, a ramp can be installed in the garage. This option provides
safety from crime and protection from rain, snow and ice. This
option can also extend the longevity of the ramp. The difficult
part of a garage-ramp installation is that the space needed for
the ramp may take up one entire parking stall, if not more. If
you can’t afford to lose parking space and the garage
is your preferred location for home access, a vertical platform lift
may be an alternative to a ramp. Platform lifts take up less square
footage.
The second suggested ramp-building location is at the back of the
house with access through an existing patio or back door. If you
do not have an existing back door, a new door can easily be added,
possibly where a window currently exists. By placing the ramp at
the back of the home, it is hidden from the street.
Keep in mind you will
need a connecting sidewalk between the vehicle drop-off area and
the ramp. Connecting the ramp with the drop-off area may be an
opportunity to create an exterior patio or deck, providing “useable
outdoor” wheelchair space.
Be aware of water drainage
from the roof. The new sidewalk and ramp should not be built on
a “pooling” site for water drainage.
Water drainage can be routed under the sidewalk by providing a “sleeve” for
the downspout.
You may also want to consider additional lighting for the sidewalk,
ramp and door-landing area. Motion-sensor lights offer a convenient,
security-enhancing lighting option.
If you decide the only
place to construct a ramp is at the front entrance, there are ways
to “disguise” it. You can visually
connect or blend the ramp to the home using similar architectural
elements and appropriate landscaping, making the ramp “disappear,” and
in some cases, actually adding “curb appeal.”
Good luck with the construction of your ramp! Thank you for your
question.
Do you have a question
for Jane and Accessibility Design? We’ll
cover all of your questions in future issues of Home Access Answers.
Please contact us: phone at 952-925-0301; or by e-mail at info@accessibilitydesign.com.
Our Web site is www.accessibilitydesign.com.
Jane Hampton, president of Accessibility Design, founded the company
in 1992 to enhance lives through design and project management. Accessibility
Design provides design, consultation, project management, and product
recommendation services specializing in home access for individuals
with disabilities at all stages of life.
