ramps: building, purchasing, and financing
My child uses a wheelchair for mobility and we need a ramp for our home. Are there any guidelines for how to build one ourselves? Where can we purchase a ready-made ramp? Is there such a thing as a portable ramp? Are there any resources for financial assistance?
A ramp for wheelchair accessibility is important for convenience, but even more important for safety. Ideally, every home should have two accessible exits in case of emergency. There are many resources available to help with ramp construction and financing.
The Home Wheelchair Ramp Project is a program that provides information and assistance for deciding which type ramp is best suited to your needs, detailed directions for building a ramp (including designs, building code information, permits, materials, etc.) obtaining a modular ramp, and general financing suggestions. Another source of construction information can be found here.
What kind of ramp should you buy? You may be most familiar with wooden home ramps, but they can also be made out of concrete or aluminum. Modular ramps are convenient if you have plans to move to a new home, or if the ramp is not expected to be needed permanently. For information on the benefits of different building materials, the pros and cons of permanent vs. portable ramps, and many more frequently asked questions can be found here. Two sources of modular ramps are Handi-Ramp and Amramp.
The cost of wheelchair ramps depends on several factors, including materials, length, style, portability, and labor. The e-magazine article by Infinitec, entitled "Getting Up the On-ramp", shares several ideas for finding financial assistance right in your own community. Here are additional financial resources that you may find helpful:
· Access Home Modification Program This federal program provides up to $10,000 for use by families to make home modifications for accessibility. It isn’t a grant; rather, it’s a zero-interest deferred payment loan program that is only repaid when the property is sold. AHMP
· Independent Living Centers
These centers provide information and referrals on how to get funding in your area. There are approximately 400 independent living centers around the country. For the name of the one nearest you, contact the National Council on Independent Living Centers at (703) 525-3406 (V); (703) 524-3407 (TDD). Most states have a state independent living council (SILC) that can give you a referral. See the Directory of Centers for Independent Living, and locate your state here.
· Some Medicaid waiver programs pay for ramps (or wheelchair lifts if a ramp is not feasible.) The Home and Community Based Service waiver program provides home services that are medically necessary to keep an individual at home when they require hospital-level of care. The HCBS programs are highly variable from state to state. To find out if your state’s HCBS waiver covers medically necessary home modifications, follow this link. Enter “HCBS” into the search area, then find your state’s programs. It may take a bit of digging, but it’s worth the time in the long run. To speak with a real live person, you can call Medicaid at 1-877-267-2323, or The Dept. for Medicaid Services, Division of Long-Term Care and Community Alternatives at 1-502-564-5560.
· Independent Living Centers are familiar with home modification needs, including ramps, and can give you information about local services and funding. Click on your state to find the center nearest to you in the directory of Centers for Independent Living.
· If the ramp is being constructed to provide accessibility for a child, these grant organizations may be able to help:
The Muscular Dystrophy Family Fund
Dream House for Kids Georgia only
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