It has been almost 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed. In this day and age, if your business is not equipped with access ramps for employees that utilize mobility devices, you are very behind the times. It is paramount that employers do not discriminate against employees with disabilities. If your business does not provide accessibility, you will lose out in reputation to businesses that do. Read on to find out about the five types of ramps you can add to your commercial premises.
Going Over the Types of Ramps
Ramps should be specifically designed with guests and employees who face mobility issues in mind. This means they should accommodate anyone that uses a wheelchair, scooter, or faces any kind of mobility challenges. There are many types of wheelchair ramps and access ramps.
Overall, ramps should be placed anywhere mobility might be considered unsafe. They are intended to help people access elevated platforms or places typically accessible by stairs. They should help them bypass any obstacles as well.
This list hopefully helps your business in how to choose an access ramp.
1. Threshold Ramps
As their name suggests, these are meant to be placed flush against a door threshold. If you have thresholds that are elevated, you should consider investing in these ramps.
They are usually made out of rubber or metal and are under 6 inches in height. They help people using a wheelchair or scooter to maneuver over a small barrier. Typically, they are also low-cost and lightweight.
These can be placed on the inside or outside of doorways.
2. Folding Ramps
These are also an asset to commercial businesses. They are usually used temporarily.
Their convenience lies in that they can be folded and unfolded as needed.
You can find them in single-and-multi fold styles. A single-fold has two panels while a multi-fold has many. The panels are connected by and fold at the hinges in the middle.
They can be used to bypass stairs and reach elevated platforms. It should be noted that these are only for personal use as they have no handrails and are not ADA-compliant.
Commercial businesses can subsidize these for employees’ personal use.
3. Permanent Ramps
This is usually a wood ramp or a concrete ramp.
They cannot be moved or adjusted once they are installed. They are built completely on-site, so the installation time is much longer.
You will also need building permits to build these.
4. Modular Ramps
When these ramps are used, they can either become permanent structures or they can be disassembled and transported away. The ramp is typically for outdoor use.
This type does not require a building permit because it can be taken down, but it is more permanent than the threshold and folding ramps.
The ramp sections are built off-site and then transported to the site for ease of assembly.
Generally, these are made of aluminum to prevent rust or warping, and because aluminum is a cost-effective commercial material.
5. Telescoping Ramps
These are not typically commercial-type ramps, but they may come with added benefits. They have two side-by-side channels that can be extended or retracted to fit the desired height.
They require assistance to maintain the wheelchair up and down the length.
If your business uses wheelchair-accessible transportation, this type of ramp would definitely be helpful.
Equitable Access
When you are designing your business premises, keep these types of ramps in mind. You should keep in mind how easy they are to transport, how permanent they are, and whether you need building permits.
If you need help constructing projects such as permanent ramps, you can check out a service like this to help you do so.
