How to widen an apartment wheelchair ramp?

Rose Coles
by Rose Coles
This one needs ramp. Fence & bldg to left/water access is green thing
  7 answers
  • If you do not own the building the landlord must have installed for you according to ADA requirements. This is not a typical homeowner DIY and it might be necessary to demo in the top photo and start over rather than add on. Here is a link which specifies requirements. Your landlord can't say no - it is the law.


    https://www.adawheelchairramps.com/wheelchair-ramps/ada-guidelines.aspx



  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Mar 28, 2018

    Add some patio blocks to the sides. They usually come in 18X18 inches or larger depending on how they will fit into the space.

  • Melanie Czoka Melanie Czoka on Mar 28, 2018

    It has to be built to code. You local fire department should be able to help.

  • Shoshana Shoshana on Mar 29, 2018

    Looks like you can lay down some pavers to the side

  • CecileH CecileH on Mar 29, 2018

    I use a walker and pavers are not the way to go, sorry! If rain gets under and settles the screening underneath you end up with lips that wheels get caught on and if you are a self propelled wheel chair user you don't need those kind of barriers. I agree with the first poster, you are best to contact the landlord if you don't own and ask to have the ramp rebuilt to code. Also, get a builder that knows what they are doing and one who gets a permit! A permit has to have drawings to show what is being done and if it is to code before they can proceed and it has to be inspected to pass! My mom had a builder come and install a ramp for my dad, one of the best known companies in town, I don't think they got a permit because the job was crap! the ramp is too narrow, the lip to roll onto the ramp is too high, the corners (not enough space to accommodate a straight on ramp) should have been wider to make the 90 degree turns and the part of the deck they left for the mail delivery to use has steps that broke within 6 months! The steps are too narrow and they aren't consistent in height! Had she had the time to research and ask for drawings she would have had a more successful build! Just remember, what looks insignificant to an able bodied person, does not mean it is for someone who uses an aid to be mobile.

  • Missy Burch Missy Burch on Mar 29, 2018

    Legally this is the landlord's responsibility. By law they have to make these accommodations. If they don't they are violating the ADA.

  • Mogie Mogie on Mar 29, 2018

    Yes Missy is right it is the landlord's duty to do this. There are social services that should help with this problem. Call your department of human resources (welfare or food stamp folks). If they can't help they can provide you with the number of an agency that can.