How to Buy a Portable Ramp

When you have a health condition that requires use of a wheelchair, you quickly find which establishments have ADA compliance and which do not. When you get in or out of your home, car, or van a portable wheelchair ramp is a handy thing to have around. Here is what you need to consider when purchasing a portable wheelchair ramp.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine the situations for which you need the ramp. If you need the wheelchair ramp to access your house, select a non-folding more ridged type, while a ramp for the van requires a more portable type for easy transport. You also need to consider the change in elevation since some ramps are better than others for steep elevation changes.

• 2

  Consider your options. You want a ramp that is light and easy to move, but also ridged enough to hold up for safe operation. Aluminum is a great choice, but the cost is significantly more for this material.

• 3

  Set a budget. Expect to pay anywhere from 25 dollars for a simple threshold ramp to over $600 for an aluminum ramp with handrails.

• 4

  Shop medical supply houses both in person and online. While it might be easy to surf the Internet for a new portable wheelchair ramp, visit the local medical supply house as well. The great deal you find at an Internet medical supply house might not be such a great deal when you include shipping charges.

• 5

  Ask suppliers about a trial period and return policy. Manufacturers design portable wheelchair ramps to work in all sorts of situations. If you purchase one and it turns out you cannot use it in the places you need, you don't want to be stuck with it.