Wheelchair Ramp Specifications
Wheelchair ramp specifications in the United States are provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA provides the specifications, code and handicap access guidelines that wheelchair accessible businesses are required to meet.
When it comes to residential ramps, most do not need to meet ADA code and ADA guidelines — but the guidelines are a good reference point for recommended ramp slope and lengths.
Establishments that must be in compliance with the ADA wheelchair ramp specifications include most businesses, churches, and schools.
Here is some general information about ADA wheelchair ramp specifications and what they cover:
ADA Wheelchair Ramp Specifications
General
Any part of an accessible route with a slope greater than 1:20 shall be considered a ramp and shall comply with 4.8.
Slope and Rise
The least possible slope shall be used for any ramp. The maximum slope of a ramp in new construction shall be 1:12. The maximum rise for any ramp run shall be 30 inches. Curb ramps and ramps to be constructed on existing sites or in existing buildings or facilities may have slopes and rises, if space limitations prohibit the use of a 1:12 slope or less.
Clear Width
The minimum clear width of a ramp shall be 36 inches.
Landings
Ramps shall have level landings at the bottom and top of each run. Landings shall have the following features:
- The landing shall be at least as wide as the widest ramp run leading to it.
- The landing length shall be a minimum of 60 inches clear.
- If ramps change direction at landings, the minimum landing size shall be 60 in. x 60 in.
- If a doorway is located at a landing, then the area in front of the door shall comply with
Handrails
If a ramp run has a rise greater than 6 inches or a horizontal projection greater than 72 inches, then it shall have handrails on both sides. Handrails are not required on curb ramps.
Handrails shall have the following features:
- Handrails shall be provided along both sides of ramp segments. The inside handrail on switchback or dogleg ramps shall always be continuous.
- If handrails are not continuous, they shall extend at least 12 inches beyond the top and bottom of the ramp segment and shall be parallel with the floor or ground surface.
Cross slope and Surfaces
The cross slope of ramp surfaces shall be no greater than 1:50.
Edge Protection
Ramps and landings with drop-offs shall have curbs, walls, railings, or projection surfaces that prevent people from slipping off the ramp. Curbs shall be a minimum of 2 inches high.
Outdoor Conditions
Outdoor ramps and their approaches shall be designed so that water will not accumulate on walking surfaces.
In Conclusion
Keep in mind that the ADA’s wheelchair ramp specifications are only for public buildings — you can have a ramp installed in or outside of your home according to whichever specifications you wish. For more information see our ramps products.
Wheelchair-Friendly Cities
Everyone deserves to be able to move around this country without mobility restrictions — this is not only a courtesy, it’s the law.
However, not all cities are as accessible as others. Some are less accessible due to their climate, others are less accessible due to a lack of services available, and others are considered less accessible due to their transit systems.
We did some research to learn what some of the most wheelchair-friendly cities in the US are. The first thing we discovered was this list put together by the Christoper Reeve Foundation of the top 20 most wheelchair-friendly cities in America.
The Christopher Reeve study provides a list of the cities in the Unites States considered to be the most wheelchair-friendly. While the study doesn’t state the specific reasons why each city is wheelchair-friendly, it does explain the criteria used to rank these cities.
The study looks at two things in particular:
- Transportation: How accessible the city’s public transportation is to individuals in wheelchairs.
- Housing: A set of standards called Universal Design exists with guidelines on how to make housing accessible for everyone. The study looks at how much of a city’s housing developers abide by Universal Design.
The study set out to find the most “livable” cities for those in wheelchairs, and this is what it concluded they are:
- Seattle, Wash.
- Albuquerque, N.M.
- Reno, Nev.
- Denver, Colo.
- Portland, Ore.
- Chicago, Ill.
- Birmingham, Ala.
- Winston-Salem, N.C.
- Orlando, Fla.
- Lubbock, Texas
For top 20 please see the full list.
Unfortunately, New Jersey did not rank anywhere on their top 20 list. We will continue to do our part to make NJ one of the most wheelchair-accessible cities one ramp and stairlift at a time!
Is that list written in stone? Absolutely not. There’s plenty of information out there about wheelchair-friendly cities, and after looking combing through a lot of it certain trends start to be noticed.
A Few of the Top Wheelchair-friendly Cities
One of the cities that comes up often in people’s lists is Seattle. Although listed first in the Christopher Reeve Study, Seattle is listed third in this brilliant infographic from Living Spinal about wheelchair-friendly cities. Seattle is credited with great transportation and innovative services for disabled individuals.
The two studies also agree on the wheelchair-friendliness of Portland, Oregon. Portland is credited with having hundreds of options for adaptive recreation facilities and programs.
In this report on the wheelchair-friendliness of some of the top cities in the world, Washington DC was the only US city mentioned. It was credited for having tremendous transportation options for disabled individuals.
“In Washington DC, in contrast, the whole network is wheelchair accessible. There are lifts at every station. A wheelchair-bound person in DC can travel around with the same level of ease as an able-bodied person.”
We just glossed over a few of the most wheelchair-friendly cities in this list. For more information check out some of the resources we presented in this article.
For more about how to make your home wheelchair-friendly, browse some of the products we have available for NJ residents.
Wheelchair Accessible Restaurants in NJ
Let me know if this situation sounds familiar to you. You hear about a great restaurant either through a friend or a great online review. You prepare yourself for an enjoyable evening out, only to get to the restaurant and realize you can’t eat there because it’s not wheelchair accessible.
If it were up to us, there would be nothing but wheelchair accessible restaurants in NJ. Unfortunately, there are still some establishments out there that aren’t so accommodating.
How can you tell the wheelchair accessible restaurants in NJ from the non-accessible restaurants? The best way to check, unless you’ve heard it from someone you know, is to visit their website.
Usually, wheelchair accessible restaurants will make a point of telling you somewhere on their website that they’re accessible.
If the restaurant doesn’t mention anything about its accessibility, it may be safe to leave it off your list of wheelchair accessible restaurants. Or you can follow the second step below.
Another way to find out for sure if a restaurant is wheelchair accessible is to hear it directly from them. Pick up the phone and give them a call. They should be able to tell you immediately whether or not a wheelchair equipped individual can access their dining room.
We have taken it upon ourselves to help you identify wheelchair accessible restaurants by creating a list of wheelchair accessible restaurants in NJ. These are restaurants we either know to be accessible through experience, or because they have mentioned it on their website.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of wheelchair accessible restaurants in NJ, but it should at least give you something to choose from. If you know of any wheelchair accessible restaurants that you’d recommend, please add a comment at the end of this post.
A Brief List of Wheelchair Accessible Restaurants in NJ
Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen — Morristown, NJ
Jockey Hollow offers regional fare and farm-to-table fine dining. In addition to the main dining room, Jockey Hollow also offers The Wine Vault with 400 selections of wine to choose from.
La Couronne Restaurant — Montclair, NJ
La Couronne is considered one of the finest Italian restaurants in NJ. In addition to Italian fare, this restaurant’s signature dishes include roasted duck with plum sauce and Veal La Couronne.
The Mill — Spring Lake Heights, NJ
The Mill calls itself the “ultimate” lakeside restaurant in New Jersey, and has earned a 2015 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence. The Mill offers american cuisine featuring great steaks and fresh seafood from the Jersey Shore.
Blue Morel Restaurant and Wine Bar — Morristown, NJ
When it opened, Blue Morel was named among the top 10 new restaurants in the world by Gayot.com. It has also won a Diner’s Choice award from OpenTable.com. Blue Morel offers local, organic North American cuisine and a raw seafood bar.
And Many More
Help add to our list by leaving a comment with your favorite accessible restaurant in NJ.
Wheelchair Yoga: Poses You Can Do From A Seated Position
You may have heard the phrase “wheelchair yoga” but, to be honest, it’s not so much yoga designed for individuals in wheelchairs as it is yoga poses you can do from a seated position.
That’s right- wheelchair yoga is technically no different from any other form of yoga, the term just refers to a certain set of poses you can do while sitting.
Yoga offers many benefits, but we understand how it can be intimidating for individuals in wheelchairs. You may feel as though your flexibility and mobility keep you from getting the full benefits of a yoga workout, but wheelchair yoga incorporates all the breathing and mind-body benefits of a traditional yoga workout.
The following wheelchair yoga exercises mentioned below can be a great addition to your daily routine, but before you begin any new routine of physical activity, you should consult with your healthcare provider. These poses are suitable for most people, including seniors, people living with chronic pain, and those who use a wheelchair.
Top 3 Wheelchair Yoga Poses for Beginners
If you’re new to wheelchair yoga, the following poses are a great introduction that you should be able to accomplish regardless of your level of experience.
Seated Neck Rolls
This warm-up pose relieves tension from the neck. This pose should be avoided if you have any issues or injuries to the neck or cervical spine.
- Begin by sitting up straight in a chair. Look up to the ceiling, and extend your neck.
- Bring your left ear down towards your left shoulder and hold. Roll your head down towards the ground and bring your chin to your chest.
- Roll your head to the right and bring that ear to your right shoulder.
- Inhale and exhale through the nose in a slow and controlled manner. Repeat twice.
- Repeat five times on each side — remember to take long, slow, even breaths through your nose.
Seated Mountain Pose
This wheelchair yoga pose is sometimes called “samasthiti” or equal standing. Usually done at the beginning of a yoga routine, this pose acts as a way to reset and balance the body.
- Begin by sitting up straight in a chair. Roll your shoulder blades back and down, arms relaxed at your sides.
- Pull your bellybutton in to your spine to engage your abs.
- Inhale through the nose and raise your arms overhead.
- Keep your arms shoulder width apart, and relax your shoulders. Keep the belly strong, and gaze in between your hands, to the ceiling.
- Stay here for five breaths.
Seated Eagle Arms
This wheelchair yoga pose is an arm and shoulder stretch that targets the wrists and the space in between the shoulder blades, a difficult area to stretch.
- Begin by sitting up straight in a chair. Roll your shoulder blades back and down, arms relaxed at your sides.
- Pull your bellybutton in to your spine to engage your abs.
- Extend your arms out in front of you at 90-degree angles, palms facing each other.
- Place your right arm under your left and press the backs of your palms together.
- Inhale and sit tall, then exhale and tuck your chin to your chest to stretch the back of the neck.
- Hold the pose for five breaths, then switch arms and stay another five breaths.
Once you are comfortable with these wheelchair yoga poses, you may be ready to move on to something more advanced, but always remember to consult with your healthcare provider first.
How Much Does A Stair Lift Cost?
Often the first question on people’s minds when dealing with stair lifts is “how much does a stair lift cost?” To be fair, first you have to know which stair lift is right for you based on your individual needs, and then we can get into answering how much does a stair lift cost.
In order to narrow down costs you almost always have to speak with a customer service representative. Costs are so dependent on how the individual model will be customized to your needs that it’s impossible to list prices online like you’d see if you were shopping online for clothes or electronics.
Your best option is to give us a call today to speak with one of our friendly customer service representatives about an estimate. Your next best option in answering how much does a stair lift cost is to fill out the form on the side and then we’ll call you.
Once we’re in touch, one of our installation technicians will visit your home to measure and evaluate your stairway. This process takes around 15 to 30 minutes, after which time we will provide you with a quote. When you are ready for us to install the lift, contact us and we will be at your home within 24-48 hours.
How Much Does A Stair Lift Cost: Price Factors
There are a number of factors that go into determining how much a stair lift costs. Your height and weight is a factor, as is your home. For example, if there is a door at the top of your stairway then you’re limited to only a few models, which affects cost.
Other price factors include the additional features you want to add to the stair lift. There are options available, such as a power footrest, power swivel, and a folding rail which cost extra.
Here are some price ranges you can expect for stair lift costs:
- Indoor (Used): $1500 to $2400, depending on age and condition of unit
- Indoor (New): $2700 to $4500
Why Choose Williams for Wheelchair Ramps and Stairlifts?
- We service every lift that we install.
- We have 24 hour service.
- We are a family owned business since 1947!
- Our service technicians are factory-trained and have been with the company for many years.
- Our business is located in Fanwood, NJ, so people can feel free to talk to us in person by stopping in, by phone, or by filling out the contact form on the right side of the page! Our customer service representatives will answer any question or concern and will be able to assist you with your purchase!
Please fill out the form below to find out how much does a stair lift cost.