Does anyone have experience with putting in a cement wheelchair ramp?
I'm thinking this year of making our front entrance accessible. Our sidewalk is 36 feet and it only has to rise a little over a foot, so I think that would be a nice gentle slope.
Jeanne, when my friend needed a ramp we were referred to the Paralyzed Veterans Assoc. They can provide some guidance on the design aspect. Since my friend was living in a rental at the time of her need, she had a 'temporary' wooden ramp installed. I forget the cost but it was not prohibitive. And it gave my friend a great deal of independence. Good luck.
My mom got a concrete ramp 1:16 installed on one of her back doors through Agency on Aging - AoA had a grant to do outreach, her home was selected through her neighborhood association. This was back in the early 90's- she was not in a wheelchair so didn't need the wider landing space a wheelchair does.
I was surprised at how much length was needed to do it. Her home is pier on beam and only 3' above bfe and the run was like 2'+. They did a light grid on the surface which was a good thing to have especially when the concrete got wet. They used a tool that looks like a cake decorating comb to do it. Also the grab rail was metal rather than wood - it's hard to grab wood so if you do it, you will end up having to put a metal grab bar on at least 1 side of the ramp anyways.
There are pretty specific guidelines from ADA regarding the slope & length.
Handicapped stuff make great Eagle Scout service projects - I'd contact your council to see what Troop(s) is in your neighborhood and see if they have a boy looking for a service project. They scout might have to partner up with your church to get the "community" part of the Eagle ok'd rather than it just being for a specific person. Good luck
Ya, its cement, he did a good job, but if you have the time and the talent you may want to do it yourself and save some $$.. its taken some time to get used to, we put ours in at the front step so Mom wouldnt lose her balance stepping up. you might want to consider a handrail also..
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I was surprised at how much length was needed to do it. Her home is pier on beam and only 3' above bfe and the run was like 2'+. They did a light grid on the surface which was a good thing to have especially when the concrete got wet. They used a tool that looks like a cake decorating comb to do it. Also the grab rail was metal rather than wood - it's hard to grab wood so if you do it, you will end up having to put a metal grab bar on at least 1 side of the ramp anyways.
There are pretty specific guidelines from ADA regarding the slope & length.
Handicapped stuff make great Eagle Scout service projects - I'd contact your council to see what Troop(s) is in your neighborhood and see if they have a boy looking for a service project. They scout might have to partner up with your church to get the "community" part of the Eagle ok'd rather than it just being for a specific person. Good luck
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What this cement?
How is it working out for you? Anything you would do different if you had to do it again?