If you become a wheelchair user you will require a wide variety of adaptations to your home. Some, such as a wheelchair ramp to your door, will be obvious. However, you may need extra ramps inside your home. If your door has a threshold, albeit a small one, you will need a wheelchair threshold ramp. These types of ramps are two-sided, and are commonly found in public buildings where there is a raised step at the entrance.
What does a wheelchair threshold ramp look like?
The best material for a wheelchair threshold ramp is rubber. They are extremely popular, hard wearing, durable and simplistic in design. Metal threshold ramps are noisy, they will not cushion any blows if you fall, and they can rust when left outside for extended periods of time.
Rubber is hard wearing, quiet, and strong enough to be used with mobility scooters too. Also, if your threshold is smaller than average, you can simply order smaller strips that will fit in place. Rubber ramps can hold up to impressive weights, approximately 500 kg, and made from recycled rubber, they are also environmentally friendly.
The height at which the ramp is set can be adjusted, depending on the size of the threshold. Even the smallest of thresholds require a ramp. 4mm may not seem much to someone not in a chair, but it presents a physical barrier that stops you entering if you are in a chair. Threshold ramps are designed to be placed at both sides of your door, and they can in strips.
Versatility at home and away
Your threshold ramp will be easy to take up, should you need to. For example, if you are going away on holiday, you may like to take up the side of the ramp that is external to your door and store it inside for safe-keeping. You may also like to take the ramp away with you in case it comes in handy where you are staying.
You should also consider having threshold ramps fitted other places you visit regularly, for example at a close relative’s house. Your workplace should have them fitted as part of the Equality Act 2010. You may find they aren’t fitted in every area necessary for you to get around easily. If you need more, speak to your HR department.
Adapting to life in a wheelchair is easier when you learn to embrace change. If you are trapped in your home because you can’t get over the threshold of your door, you will quickly feel useless. Investing in a threshold ramp is a must if you wish to remain independent, and with the price of a ramp being affordable, no one should ever have to suffer and become a prisoner in their own home.