Click on the video above to see more information about portable wheelchair ramps.

The main difference is that wedge ramps are made specifically for the height of the step where as overstep ramps are more universal and can be used on various different heights.

The wheelchair ramps images above show a doorline wedge ramp which is used on a specific step and an overstep wheelchair ramp which can be used on a gradient of 1:6 up to 1:15

A totally new concept, the Permaramp range is designed to be easily adjusted and fixed down or left in place for all types of thresholds

(Click on image for larger picture)

Easy wash surface for long life and re-use Quick and easy to set up Unique gripdeck surface for sustained outside use Fixing options at top and bottom for secure location Excellent non slip surface

As a general rule most ramp manufacturers recommend a gradient no steeper than 1:12 for independant use and 1:6 for assisted use.

A simple calculation for finding out ramp lenghs is to multiple the height by the ratio.

i.e. if working on a 1:6 ratio multiply the height of step by 6 to give you the minimum lengh of ramp

6″ step x 6 = 36″ (3ft ramp)

Most of the time a short straight out ramp is suffice, but if it is a particularly narrow pavement, the required lengh of ramp can sometimes end up too close to the edge of the pavement, making it unsafe for a wheelchair user to turn on to.

A way of overcominh this problem is to use a 1.2m square landing platform outside the door and then run a ramp at 90 degrees so that it runs with the pavement rather than running out from it.

I am finding it impossible to maintain all my websites at the moment, so have decided to put my wheelchair ramps website up for sale.

I have no idea of a price yet, so will first tidy up a load of old pages and broken links and then take things from there.

It’s a shame, as it was one of my first websites which I used for making money, but I just haven’t got the time needed to keep it updated.

The Act came in in October 2004 and it has taken 5 years before a judge has ruled on a high profile case such as this without the company involved settling out of court to keep things quiet.

18 year old student David Allen was awarded £6,500 damages after he took legal action after the Royal Bank of Scotland failed to to make its Church Street branch in Sheffield wheelchair accessible.

RBS have also been istructed to carry out the necessary work to make the propery accessible at an estimated cost of £200,000

There have been other cases over the years, but none of these have been decided by a court, now that this one has it could become a precedence and hopefully encourage other service providers to make the changes they are legally obliged to do.

The days of the DDA being totally ignored are hopefully numbered and this could lead to far greater equality for disabled people throughout the UK.

We had an unusual enquiry last week.

Answered the phone and it was someone who had just ordered a wine cooler and wanted a way of easily moving it about between a couple of locations which both had steps.

The model they had bought was a Single Temperature Wine Cabinet which is 1810 high x 680 wide x 680 deep and when empty weighs approx 80kg

They had a little trolley which they transported it on but it couldn’t cope with the steps.

In the end we recommended a simple 5ft classic wheelchair ramp and have just received an email back from them saying it was ideal and means they can easily move it even when half filled with wine bottles.

Our new portable wheelchair ramps can be used as auxiliary aids to overcome steps up to 400mm high. The most important to bear in mind when considering portable ramps is that where assistance is at hand and when the ramps are temporarly and not fixed, you can use them at a maximum gradient of 1:6 or better still 1:8

To work out the lengh of ramp you require first find the total height fifference you need to overcome, then multiply this by 6.

for example, if you have a 30cm step it is 30cm x 6 which gives you a minimum length of 1.8m (or 6ft)

By far the most popular ramp for steps above 100mm (4inches) is the Aerolight Xtra wheelchair ramp which are available in lenghs from 60cm up to 2.5m

Swift Ramp Systems

Quick, reusable and 100% modular wheelchair ramp system

• numerous combinations to suit your requirements
• designed to fit up to the door
• long life zinc coating prevents rusting
• high capacity construction