Disability News

Portable Induction Loops

The KTP Microloop is one of the few portable induction loops systems on the market designed to be self-installable. Requiring no special skills or tools, comprehensive instructions and all fixings are supplied with each unit.

The savings that can be made through not requiring specially trained installation staff are considerable, making Microloop one of the most cost effective solutions for compliance with the DDA.

The Loop box (27cm x 27cm x 2.6cm) can be permanently fitted underneath the counter either vertically or horizontally with a single wire connection to the desktop microphone and a small cable running to an adjacent 13 amp power socket.

Portable Wheelchair Ramps

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

Evacuation Chairs

ChairMate Evacuation Chairs will connect to most non motorised wheelchairs and transport the wheelchair with occupant downstairs with ease. Using caterpillar tracks and a fully controllable braking system ChairMate can be operated by the slightest of persons, irrespective of the wheelchair combination weight.

Speed of decent is controlled by the brake so the operative can descend as fast or as slow as they feel comfortable with – if the brake lever is released at any time, ChairMate Evacuation Chair will stop. When reaching the ground floor, the wheelchair is un-coupled and the occupant can wheel themselves away from the building.

Modular Ramp Systems For Wheelchairs

We now supply a range of modular wheelchair ramp systems for where portable ramps are not an option.

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

Mobility Ramps For Businesses

Mobility Ramps For Businesses
By Dave Kearsey

If you own a business, it just makes good sense to make it accessible to everyone. Turning away potential income is not a good business practice. Not only that, but if you are not accessible to the disabled you risk the possibility of a lawsuit. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) was passed in 1990. Section 4.8 deals with mobility ramps. The following specs for mobility ramps are taken from the ADA Accessibility Guidelines as amended through September 2002. If you would like to see the entire document I’ve provided a link below.

The ADA states that any part of an accessible route that has a slope steeper than 1:20 (20 inches of length for every 1 inch of rise) is considered a ramp. If you don’t have an elevator you need to provide mobility ramps to allow access to the different levels of your building. You should always use the least amount of slope possible for any ramp.

If you are constructing a new building the maximum amount of slope you can have for any ramp is 1:12. The maximum rise you can have for any run is 30 inches. If you have an existing site that you are constructing mobility ramps for, things change a little.

An existing building may not have the space to install ramps that meet the 1:12 slope or less. If that is the case then a slope between 1:10 and 1:12 is allowed for a maximum rise of 6 inches. A slope between 1:8 and 1:10 is allowed for a maximum rise of 3 inches. A slope steeper than 1:8 is not allowed.

The preferred amount of slope is between 1:16 and 1:20. The ability to manage an incline is related to both its slope and its length. Wheelchair users with disabilities affecting their arms or with low stamina have serious difficulty using ramps. Most people who use wheelchairs can manage a slope of 1:16. Many people cannot manage a slope of 1:12 for a distance of 30 feet or more. The minimum width of a ramp is 36 inches and must be clear of any obstructions.

Mobility ramps need to have a landing at the top and bottom of each run. A landing is a level area to recuperate if there are any more runs to manage and allow for easy transitions if the ramp goes in another direction. Landings need to be at least as wide as the ramp leading to it. The length of the landing must be a minimum of 60 inches clear of any obstructions. If the ramp changes directions at the landings, the landing needs to be 60 inches by 60 inches minimum. Landings need to be level. A landing that is not level causes individuals using wheelchairs to tip backward or bottom out when the ramp is approached.

If a ramps has a rise more than 6 inches, then it must have handrails on both sides. However, handrails are not required on curb ramps. Handrails must extend at least 12 inches beyond the top and bottom of the ramp segment and must be parallel with the floor or ground surface. If the ramp changes directions the inside handrail must always be continuous. The handrails along any segment of the ramp cannot have any gaps in them. The top of the handrail’s gripping surface needs to be between 34 and 38 inches above the surface of the ramp and cannot rotate in their fittings. The ends need to be rounded or returned smoothly to the floor, wall or post.

The above handrail requirements are for adults. If the ramps are mainly for children (for example in elementary schools), a second set of handrails can assist them and aid in preventing accidents. A maximum height of 28 inches to the top of the gripping surface from the ramp surface is recommended for handrails designed for children. The clearance between upper and lower handrails is 9 inches minimum.

The cross slope of ramp surfaces cannot be greater than 1:50. If your ramp is 36 inches wide then both sides of the ramp must be within .24 inches in height from each other.

If your ramps and landings have drop-offs then they must have curbs, walls or railings that prevent people from slipping off the ramp. Curbs have to be a minimum of 2 inches high.

Outdoor ramps and their approaches must be designed so that water cannot puddle on walking surfaces.

The above is just a brief summary of the ADA guidelines for mobility ramps. If you would like to see the document in its entirety click here. Section 4.8 has many links to other sections of the document inside of it. To cover everything would be outside of the scope of this article. I highly recommend you read the entire document and all of its links before starting any mobility ramp project. It will only cost you a little bit of your time and can save many headaches down the road.

Dave Kearsey is the senior content writer for http://www.mobilityramps.net/ For more information about mobility ramps please come by and visit us at the above address. We are an informational site dedicated to helping you make an informed buying decision.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Mobility-Ramps-For-Businesses&id=2695319

Scooter Ramp Buying Tips

Scooter Ramp Buying Tips
By Scott Paul

Wheel chair ramps are great products as they help a disabled person get to and from their vehicle with ease. Just because a person is in a wheelchair does not mean that they can’t drive a car or hold a job. For most disabled people, it can be a very hard, and long process to get in and out of a vehicle. Luckily there are scooter ramps out there that can dramatically reduce this time.

There are two main types of ramps. The first is an electrical automated ramp. These ramps are the fastest types of ramps and make getting in and out of a car very easy. They are more pricey than regular ramps as they have to be installed and maintained often to ensure proper wear and tear. These ramps are also very heavy as they are made of steel, and aluminum metals.

The next type of scooter ramp is a free ramp. These ramps typically fold up in a fan or SUV and then the person simply unfolds the ramp and then goes up into the car on the ramp. These ramps are much more light weight and are almost always aluminum. These ramps are cheap and great to have on the go as they can be used for more than just vehicles. Stairs, and other obstacles can be as easy as pie with a portable scooter ramp.

We hope we have enlighten you a little bit on the different types of scooter ramps and how they work.

Greg writes articles about scooter ramp and for wheelchair ramp

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Scooter-Ramp-Buying-Tips&id=2825588

Problems With Curved Stairway Lifts

Problems With Curved Stairway Lifts
By Daryl Lahnker

There are numerous areas in a person’s home that can present a fall risk, yet among seniors no area presents as large of a safety risk as the staircase. Each and every year, thousands upon thousands of serious senior falls occur on the staircase, often resulting in hospitalization. In many cases, using a stairway lift presents the easiest and least costly means of making the stairs senior friendly.

Stairway lifts were developed initially around 100 years ago. These early models, however, were custom made and did not become popular for consumer use until the late twentieth century. The concept behind them has not changed too much though, because they are still designed to carry a person up or down the steps, so they do not have to walk and risk tripping and falling.

Today, there are a number of do-it-yourself stairway lift kits available that are inexpensive and can be installed in only a few hours by the home owner. These DIY stair lift kits are typically only designed for a straight staircase though, as curved staircases require a much more expensive lifting unit that must be professionally installed.

The reason that curved staircases present such a more expensive option is because there is no standard when it comes to curved stairways. Instead, the way they are built depends greatly on the person who designed the home. There may be some neighborhoods that have the same type of curved staircase, but when looking at the big picture, there is no set of standards. As a result, a professional estimator must come to the home and measure the staircase, usually before even providing an estimate. One of the reason these individuals don’t like to give an estimate upfront is because many would outright balk at the extremely high cost of a curved staircase lift, but once they are in your home, the ‘estimator’ can use his selling skills directly on the homeowner. Once the stairway has been measured, it takes several months to build and then must be professionally installed. It is not uncommon for the process to take over 3 months and cost well over $15,000.

By comparison, straight staircase lifts are only a small fraction of the price, usually around $1,500, and ship in a matter of days, instead of weeks. One of the other major advantages is that the straight stair lift is easy to install, so it is something many homeowners do on their own and save big on installation costs. It is also possible to resell a straight stairway lift once it is no longer needed, but this is not as easy to do with a curved lift, which will only work in an identical staircase.

One thing to watch out for if you do have a curved staircase is companies that resell used curved stair lifts. These companies take old lifts, which they have purchased for next to nothing, and reshape the track to fit the new staircase. Unfortunately, this greatly reduces the strength of the metal track, making it highly prone to failure. One indication that they may be doing this is a very short warranty, compared to other curved stair lift dealers, and a much lower price.

Daryl Lahnker has been involved with the medical industry for a number of years. For people with a straight staircase, stair lifts represent one of the easiest ways of making the stairs safer and more accessible. This is not the case with curved staircases though. No matter what type of staircase is present though, it is essential to make sure that the stairs are safe and easy to use for seniors. It is also important to address other areas in the home, such as the kitchen and bathroom, because senior falls can occur here as well.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Problems-With-Curved-Stairway-Lifts&id=2890387

Sensible Wheelchair Lifts For the Home

Sensible Wheelchair Lifts For the Home
By Sean Rutger

I am certain that you have perhaps heard or seen wheelchair platform lifts that will give people that are wheelchair bound a way of getting in and out of their vehicles. On the other hand, it is possible that you are not quite aware of their other uses. Well, let me break it down for you. Wheelchair lifts are not only for that, but it is also for raising you or your loved one to just about any height that you, or she/he may need to go to.It works on the same premise as a forklift that lifts items and moves them to a higher level. This is the same premise as to how the vertical wheelchair lifts also work.

The wheelchair lifts have their own platform on which the person rolls their wheelchairs onto. And then, with just a mere flip of a lever, or a push of a button, the platform will then be raised and so the person can now be able to go through their front doors, as well as getting upstairs, or even reaching things that are on a high shelf. Those people who need their wheelchair to be able to get around their home will obtain great benefits from purchasing and using a vertical wheelchair lift. Plus not only for their home but also for their cars.

There are many people who do not really mind the everyday routine of taking those three little steps that will lead them to their front door. And there are times that they will just hop on those steps and then get into their houses without any thought whatsoever. But for those people who need to endure being confined into a wheelchair, even the smallest space will give them such a hard time to maneuver over.

That issue would not be a problem anymore since the people who have mobility challenges can always purchase a vertical wheelchair lift. With one of these cool mechanisms in your homes, one will truly feel that they are no longer wheelchair bound. And it will make their lives a lot easier in many ways.

Inside of their homes, there are much more uses for their wheelchair lifts as well. For one, they can manipulate the device so that they will be able to get up and down their stairs. They would require less help than they had before. Although it can be a bit pricey having the wheelchair lift installed, it is well worth the investment when compared to the independence it affords.

The wheelchair lifts can also be used to assist you in reaching something from a high place, and even the highest shelf there is in your home can be reachable. You may find that they are many extra things you can now do that you were unable to do in the past.

Vehicle wheelchair lifts will require you to remove a seat or maybe two out of your vehicle. This will be needed so that you can make room for your wheelchair, and also the lift itself.

You can always go to dealerships of where you had bought the vehicle you owned to have them be the ones to install the lift for your vehicle.

Sean Rutger is an author of guides to mobility aids such the home wheelchair lift. For more information, visit here for wheelchair lifts.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Sensible-Wheelchair-Lifts-For-the-Home&id=2894275

The Importance of Wheelchair Exercises

The Importance of Wheelchair Exercises
By Scott Mogul

Many people who are confined to wheelchairs still have upper body strength that can be maintained and even increased through the use of wheelchair exercises. A wheelchair workout does a lot for both the body and the psyche. As it provides an all over fitness, exercises and workout routines have been developed specifically for people who must depend on the use of wheelchairs. Famous exercise gurus have even developed routines specifically for people bound to wheelchairs, even though they are workouts that anyone can do if they choose to.

Why Do Wheelchair Exercises?
People who are confined to wheelchairs day after day can become bored, restless, and uncomfortable. A person can only stand to sit like that for so long before it starts taking its toll. A wheelchair workout can be the perfect way to alleviate these aggravations. In addition, the proper exercise routine can keep your body toned, increase your upper body strength, improve mobility and flexibility, work to make the heart and lungs stronger, and will help control weight. These special exercises work to relax the shoulder, neck and back strain that many people in wheelchairs have to go through. The proper wheelchair exercises can do much to improve your over all health as well as problems specific to wheelchair users.

Exercises in a Wheelchair Workout
Before you begin any workout routine, you should talk to your doctor and physical therapist first to make sure that the routine is a proper one for you. Each body has a different situation and needs exercises that fit with the circumstances. This is why it is very important that you have exercises unique to your situation and your body’s needs.

When undertaking wheelchair exercises there are some things you need to remember in order to make it a safe and effective workout.

· Before and after your workout, do 5 – 10 minutes of stretches.
· Use correct posture.
· When using free weights, begin with a lighter warm up weight. Gradually increase the weight between sets.
· Exhale as you lift and inhale as you lower the weights.
· Drink enough water.
· At least 1 hour prior to your wheelchair workout, eat a snack or light meal.
· If you start to feel lightheaded or faint, stop immediately and rest.

Part of your workout will most likely include some resistance training by using large, stretchy rubber bands called resistance bands. These are secured to a pole, door handle, hook or the arm of the wheelchair. They are then pulled away or towards you to work your muscles. Resistance bands make it possible to do leg and elbow extensions, trunk and shoulder rotations, neck, back, and shoulder pull downs. The bands are typically available in low, medium and higher resistances.

Strength training may be another part of your wheelchair exercises. This can be done by using free weights, dumb bells, or fitness machines. However, this wheelchair workout should only be performed when the resistance training exercises have become too easy.

Getting Started
If you aren’t on an exercise program yet, don’t hesitate to get started on one. Just because you are in a wheelchair does not mean that you can’t live a healthy lifestyle. That includes a workout routine. Give your doctor a call and see what sort of exercises can be incorporated into full regular routine for you. Since you want it to be a safe one for you, it’s important that you follow the regimen to the letter. Do each exercise the way you are instructed. Never try to do too much or too little, as one could be hurtful and the other a waste of time. However, if you have just the right plan made for you, it will have you feeling great in no time.

This article was written by Scott Mogul, editor of http://www.quickcare.org To learn more about choosing the right medical wheelchair, follow this link to http://www.quickcare.org/misc/medical-wheelchair.html

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Building Your Own Mobility Ramps

Building Your Own Mobility Ramps
By Dave Kearsey

Thinking about adding a wheelchair ramp to your home? It may be a something you can do yourself. With some simple carpentry skills you can build a safe, sturdy ramp that will last for years to come. The ADA (American’s with Disability Act) has guidelines that standardize the building of wheelchair ramps making them safe for those that use wheelchairs, scooters or walkers.The first thing to consider is how high the ramp needs to be. Measure from the ground up to the surface you are trying to get to. The ADA recommends that the slope of a ramp should have a slope of at least 1:12. 12 feet of ramp for every 1 foot of rise. A slope of 1:16 to 1:20 is recommended. Use the least mount of slope you have room for. The width of each ramp should be 36 inches minimum with no obstructions per the ADA.

When building a ramp out of wood there are some things to consider:

Pressure treated lumber is highly recommended.

Wood must be protected with a sealer, varnish or stain to prevent rotting and warping.

Plywood is likely to warp and separate and it is slippery.

Don’t use nails. Nails work their way back out causing boards to loosen.

Posts that are to be placed into the ground should be rated as such.

You must be willing and have the ability to maintain it.

The easiest approach is to build your ramp in sections and bolt them together.

Read the ADA guidelines before starting your project. Know them before getting started. A few moments of your time now will save many headaches down the road. Also, check with your local building code office to make sure that you comply with any guidelines they have and whether or not you will need a building permit. Links to the ADA guidelines and local building codes can be found on our website.

Dave Kearsey is the senior content writer for http://www.mobilityramps.net/ For more information about Mobility Ramps and Building Mobility Ramps please come by and visit us at the above address. We are an informational site dedicated to helping you make an informed decision about mobility ramps.

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