The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a comprehensive guideline that ensures that places are made safer and more accessible for persons with disabilities and for those who are in need of additional assistance to move around. The guidelines highlight minute details ranging from the slope and the length of the ramp to the handrail construction to the placement of the slope.
The main requirements under the guidelines have been highlighted below-
General requirements:
For the ramp –
- The bottom and the top of the ramp requires level landing.
- The edges must be protected. Sharp edges must be avoided.
- The surfaces must be slip resistant. It must also be stable.
For the handrail –
- The inside handrail must be continuous.
- The handrail must be free of sharp or abrasive elements that could potentially hurt the user or the caretaker.
- The handrail must be parallel to the floor or the ground.
- Handrails are not required on curb ramps.
For the ramp slope –
- A gradual slope is recommended for the comfort of the user. There must be an anti – slip texture surface for the wheelchair to move on.
Specific requirements:
For the ramp –
- The maximum slope ratio must be 1: 12 i.e. for every inch of vertical rise, there must be 12 inches of length of the ramp.
- The minimum width of the ramp is 36 inches.
- The top and the bottom landings must contain the same width as the ramp itself and must be at least 60 inches in length.
- The ramps must have handrails on both sides if their rise is greater than 6 inches or the length of the ramp is greater than 72 inches.
- Cross slopes must be less than 1: 50.
For the handrail –
- If the rise of the ramp is more than 6 inches, having hand rails on both sides is mandatory.
- A clear space of 1.5 inches must be left between the handrail and the wall.
- The handrail must be at least 3 inches deep and must extend to at least 18 inches above the top of the rail, when it is located in a recess.
- Edges of the ramp handrail must have a minimum radius of 1/8 inch.
- The diameter of the gripping surface shall be between 1.25 to 1.5 inches.
For the ramp slope –
- A maximum slope of 1:12 is permitted, but a more gradual slope of 1:16 to 1:20 is recommended.
To conclude
The ADA guidelines strive to ensure that individuals with mobility issues should have no deficiency in their access to public or private spaces. With due implementation of these measures coupled with a sensitized behaviour from the people around, the world will be safer and more accessible to all. If you are in search of a wheelchair ramp rental that fulfills all the ADA requirements, then Stair Ride Company will ensure that you receive quality professional services that enhance the comfort and confidence of your loved one. These featured products allow one to go anywhere safely and are completely budget friendly.
