FUNCTIONAL INTERIORS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS 4(2+2)

Lesson 12 : Accessible Design - Major Design Considerations

Ramps

Ramps should be 36 to 38 inches wide with a slope of no more than 15 degrees or one foot of length for every inch in height. Wooden ramps exposed to weather should be constructed with treated timber. Rails at a height of 30 to 32 inches are recommended. A non-skid texturizer should be added to exterior paint on the ramp surface. The supports or legs for the ramp should be cemented 12 to 18 inches into the ground if the ramp exceeds a length of 10 feet. A deck or porch of 4-1/2 x 4-1/2 feet is recommended for exterior entry ways to allow for a 360-degree turning radius for a wheelchair. Similar platforms are needed at the end of a ramp and for ramps that change directions. The same dimensions apply for concrete ramps as for wooden ramps. Reinforcement steel rods are recommended for ramps that are longer than 8 feet.