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How to Build Wheelchair Ramps for Homes is a manual of design and construction for modular wheelchair ramps. This manual includes information about ramps and long-tread low-riser steps to improve safe home accessibility.| Helpful Articles | Manual | Videos | Long-Tread, Low-Riser Steps | Important
Information! Safety
Tips: find the proper slope to assure a safe and
usable ramp. |
| The Handyman Club of America published a wonderful article
about building these ramps. The full
story includes photos and details of design and construction with
comments from Bob Zimmerman and Jim Sueker. (Photo of James Williams, MCIL.) |
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in Motion is the national publication of the Amputee Coalition of America; the September/October 1998 issue's article, "Welcome Home to Accessibility," featured interviews with several people who use the long-tread lower-riser steps. These steps may benefit "anyone who is able to walk, especially people with lower limb loss, a walker, a cane, or crutches." |
 The National
Multiple Sclerosis Society published a good article
in the Summer 1999 (Vol 17, No 3) issue of Inside MS.
This article focuses on the "people side" of
accessibility ramps: the motivation for starting the Ramp
Project, and how it affects people involved in providing
and receiving the ramps. |
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| The NACCED Insights article (text) about the Ramp Project and designs. | NACCED |
Also check out the album of photos from the Ramp Project Teleconference videotape.
| For many people with mobility impairments, long-tread
low-riser steps can be easier and safer to use when
compared to a 1:12 slope ramp. The large level area
allows easy walker use, and the riser's short height
makes stepping up and down easier than standard steps.
Balance is easier to maintain on the flat steps than on a
sloped surface; the steps require less space than a ramp
and are less expensive. Like our ramps, the modular
design allows the steps to be easily installed, used as
long as needed, and removed for use at a new
location. Tips for using long-tread low-riser steps with a wheelchair. See a safe technique to use these steps to assist a person in a wheelchair. For personal experiences using these accessibility steps, see the in Motion article referenced above. |
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Do you have ramp questions? Email Bob Zimmerman at Bob.Zimmerman@state.mn.us and he'll try to field some of your questions, as time permits.
You may purchase the construction manual or videos from the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL). The manual is $15 and videos (VHS only) are $20 each (prices subject to change without notice). Please make checks payable to "MCIL" and mail to:
MCIL
1600 University Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104-3825
Coming Soon: DVD video of the ramp project and constuction tips. See excerpts online.
For ordering information, please contact Jim at (651)603-2029 voice; (651)603-2001 TDD; (651)603-2006 Fax, or email Jim at jimwi@mcil-mn.org. (Extra charges may apply to international orders.)
The Computer Workshop, Seattle, Washington, graciously converted the manual (designed by Destiny 2 of Saint Paul) into a series of Web pages. Thanks for the comments on these pages from many of you readers. It's been a great help. We all wish you well on your own ramp projects.
Webmasters: You may post our on-line brochure on your web site. It includes quotes from people who have used or constructed these ramps. You may also copy the "Ramps" button from the bottom of this page to link to our URLs.
Questions or comments about this page?
Email webmaster@gillesby.com.
05/11/02; Last Update:02/24/2007
Counter Reset 11-11-2003