Having a wheelchair ramp gives you access to a wider variety of places. They add to your independence and allow you greater freedom of movement. A wheelchair ramp can enable you to continue living in a beloved home or enable you to travel in a vehicle. Shops and business have wheelchair ramps to enable you to go about your life as usual. Entertainment venues also have them available so you can fully enjoy your social life. However, learning to use a wheelchair ramp can take a little bit of practice. It takes a while to develop the confidence to navigate different ramps with ease. Here are our tips on using a wheelchair ramp safely.
Learning to go up a wheelchair ramp
Follow these tips when using a manual chair, power chair or scooter.
- Remove anything that could make you tip backwards, such as a heavy backpack.
- If you have a seatbelt, make sure it is securely fastened.
- Centre your chair at the base of the ramp, between the lips on either side.
- If you have a motorised chair or scooter proceed slowly so you don’t tip off or knock the ramp out of place.
Safely going down a ramp
Descending a ramp can be more difficult than going up it. Gravity will have a strong affect on your chair or scooter. This can make it harder to control. Proceed with caution whilst learning to use the ramp.
- Make sure your seatbelt is fastened.
- Position your wheelchair in the centre of the ramp and proceed slowly.
- If you can, lean backwards into the chair to help you balance. Use a chest strap if necessary.
- As you approach the bottom of the ramp, slow down to avoid bumping or slipping.
Extra tips for safely using a ramp
It can take a while to gain confidence when using a ramp, but with practice you will soon be going up and down without thinking about it. Here are a few extra tips to help you.
- Practice using ramps whenever and wherever you can. Try different inclines and lengths.
- Ask someone to help you or be with you at first, until you are confident in using them by yourself.
- When purchasing a chair or scooter, ask an expert to demonstrate how it can be used with a ramp.
Get in touch with us today for more information on buying a wheelchair ramp.