Handicap Access RampsThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires publicly accessible buildings to provide handicap access ramps so that wheelchair-bound citizens and people with other mobility issues can safely enter and exit with the same ease as a non-disabled person.

It’s crucial to understand the federal and local ADA requirements to avoid putting your business at the risk of a lawsuit. New construction requires adherence to all of the regulations. There are some exceptions for buildings constructed before the law took effect in 1992, but architectural barriers must be removed to allow access for disabled people.

REDD Team can help. We are the original aluminum access solutions company, designing and manufacturing exceptional code-compliant aluminum access products, such as the popular Universal Wheelchair Ramp System, for more than 25 years.

Our ADA compliant ramps provide access to all site-built and modular buildings, including office buildings, hotels, entertainment and sports stadiums, portable classrooms, prefab health facilities, modular worship centers, and any other type of building you can think of. With the ease of mobility, long life cycle, and modular aluminum components, the ramp can be easily relocated and reconfigured whenever and wherever you need.

The best features of our handicap ramp systems include:

  • Durable yet cost-effective when a permanent ramp is not feasible or available.
  • Adjustable heights and slopes make them versatile for permanent or re-locatable installations.
  • Designed for easy use with scooters, walkers and wheelchairs.
  • Easy addition or removal of sections to accommodate multiple thresholds.
  • Smooth, continuous handrails and a slip resistant walking surface
  • Rust and corrosion resistant
  • Minimal assembly requirements – no field welding is required.
  • Each unit warranted for wear and durability.
  • Meets ADA guidelines.
  • Manufactured in the USA.

ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Wheelchair Ramps

The ADA guidelines require ramps to be built with the least possible degree of slope. The maximum allowable rise is 30 inches. In new construction, ramps can rise at no more than 1 inch of rise for every 12 inches of run. For ramps built as add-ons to older buildings, steeper ramps are allowed if there are space limitations. Ramps must be built with at least 36 inches of clear space in width. Landings must be equally wide and at least 60 inches long. If a ramp changes direction at a landing, then the landing must be at least 60 inches square. And ramps that rise more than 6 inches or are longer than 72 inches are required to have handrails.

How to Avoid ADA Violations

Taking proactive steps will help keep you ahead of the curve.

  1. If you are building a new structure that’s accessible to the public or a work facility, thoroughly question your contractor, architect, and building inspector to be sure the access complies with the ADA accessibility requirements.
  1. If your building is older, do a comprehensive ADA evaluation of the facility to find out if any conditions need to be corrected. “Readily achievable” barriers to access must be removed or remedied, but this doesn’t always involve complete demolition. Make the necessary changes so that all “paths of travel” are more accessible.
  1. If you hire design professionals to help you remedy any problems, make sure they are understand the requirements of the ADA standards and any local regulations that may apply to you.

Baby boomers are aging, and more and more of them are seeking out level building entrances and wide automatic doors as they try to avoid stairs and revolving doors. These features are also important to families with young children.

If you are ready to discuss aluminum ramps for handicap or wheelchair access, get in touch with REDD Team today at (800) 648-3696 to learn about our safe, economical access solutions.