Tips on Wheelchair Accessibility

While wheelchairs may provide many people with a means to move about, their locomotion is often confined by the limitations of the surrounding space. There are many changes that can be made to help increase mobility for those in a wheelchair and help make a place more wheelchair accessible.

Ramps

• Since wheelchairs are unable to go upstairs, ramps help make short staircases, such as the front steps of houses or other buildings, accessible to people in wheelchairs. The maximum slope for a ramp is 1:12, or 1 vertical feet for every 12 horizontal feet. However, the less steep the slope, the more accessible it is by wheelchair. Also, it is important to consider the material used to make a ramp. Materials such as concrete or aluminum can be less slippery and can more easily endure the harmful effects of weather.

Doorways

• In order to be accessible to those in a wheelchair, doorways must be at least 32 inches wide. Wider doorways are easier for people in wheelchairs, especially those who use their arms to propel themselves to wheel through. Revolving doors and turnstiles are not wheelchair accessible, so alternative entrances are necessary. Swinging doors can also be difficult to manage; pocket doors, if possible, can be an easy-to-use option. Door hardware, such as knobs and latches, also should be easy to grasp and use by those sitting in a wheelchair. With proper hardware and dimensions, those in wheelchairs can easily enter and fit through doorways.

Light-Switches and Other Controls

• People in wheelchairs are unable to reach the heights that are easily accessed by those who are not in wheelchairs. Light-switches, thermostats and other controls should be placed within the easy reach of people sitting in wheelchairs. Legally, such controls must be higher than 15 inches and lower than 48 inches.

Other Tips

• When making a space wheelchair accessible, it is important to consider many factors, including the layout and dimensions of buildings. Rooms such as bathrooms need special attention: toilets, sinks, mirrors, showers, tubs and special railings must all be modified to make them accessible to wheelchairs. Floor coverings are also important to think about. Bunched up carpets, rugs or bumpy surfaces are difficult to traverse by wheelchair. Instead, hard surfaces like tile, linoleum or well-maintained carpet are better for wheelchair accessibility.

Article written by: Lauren Griffin, eHow Contributor

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