According to the Mayo Clinic, 10 children die in drowning accidents every day and four times as many have a near-drowning incident that involves a trip to the emergency room. Many of these children end up with permanent disabilities as a result. Some of these disabilities involve severe loss of mobility and are wheelchair bound as a result. When this happens, something usually needs to be done to make the home more accessible.

Wheelchair Ramps for the Home

Unless you live in an apartment building with an elevator or your home is on one level with no steps, you will have to think about how your child will access your home. It may not be affordable to buy a new house, so the next best thing is making your current home accessible. Wheelchair ramps are one option for doing this.

Some examples of ramp types and advantages include:

• Aluminum - can be built to access most types of entrances
• Wood - fairly easy to construct
• Galvanized steel - doesn't allow snow or water to accumulate and provides good traction
• Concrete - does not require a lot of maintenance

Of these types of ramps, wheelchair ramps made out of galvanized steel have the most advantages. Besides providing good traction, they are also the least expensive type of ramp and are the most safe and most durable.

Wheelchair Lifts

In instances where ramps don't fit, or if the steps are too high up, making the steep incline of the ramp unfeasible, wheelchair lifts provide a great option for getting onto the porch or deck. They do require a base made out of concrete and also a power source as they are electrical. It's important that they only be installed by someone who has experience with them.

Portable and Threshold Ramps

Portable ramps can be taken where ever they are needed. They are usually made out of either aluminum, fiberglass, or different kinds of plastic. There are a variety of lengths and configurations available. They are small enough to be carried around in an accessible van or other vehicle and are perfect for getting up one or two steps or off and on sidewalks.

Threshold ramps are smaller in size, shorter in length, and work to enable a wheelchair get over a small rise in flooring or through doorways. They are normally made out of aluminum and have a rubber or non-skid surface.

While there are many adjustments that will have to be made when a child loses mobility, homeowners have several options when it comes to making their home accessible.

To learn more, contact a company like Accessible Solutions. 

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