How can we make this front step more accessible?

Jan
by Jan

Our neighbor injured her knee and wrist when she tripped going up a3 1/2 inch step to our front porch. Problem: if we built an incline/rampin front of the step it would help our handicapped neighbors who usea wheelchair but would impact cars leaving/entering our garage. Any thoughts on what modification would be functional and aesthetic aswell? Thanks!


  10 answers
  • Jan Jan on Nov 07, 2019

    Here is the view looking into the garage...

  • Allison Allison on Nov 07, 2019

    Have you looked at threshold ramps? Amazon carries a variety, rubber to metal and different heights and widths. If you aren't running over the mat driving to the garage, they will work.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 08, 2019

    Hello there,

    Looks to me as if you have a metal RAIL FENCE ACROSS YOUR ENTRANCE! If so, maybe remove it!


  • Karen Brunck Karen Brunck on Nov 08, 2019

    Hi Jan. That does look a bit awkward. Are you able to remove the entire area in front of the doorway to keep it all on one level? It could be tapered into a small ramp if needed once the platform is removed. I'm just guessing since I don't have the measurements. Perhaps if you must keep it as is, extend the railing and gate to the very edge of the step which will block off the immediate trip hazard, by making it more noticeable. Or finally, paint the step a different color than the surrounding area so it's more visible. Good luck!😊

  • Rynn Rynn on Nov 08, 2019

    Remove about 36" of the 2 rows of brick there at the edge, then make an incline which is goes toward the house rather than extending the incline into the parking/driveway area. Best wishes!

  • William William on Nov 08, 2019

    I go with Rynn's idea. Not only would I remove the bricks and pour a concrete incline. I would also consider removing the gate but leave the rest of the fence up. The gate seems to be too close to the brick edge and may be the tripping problem.

  • Michelle Michelle on Nov 08, 2019

    I hate to be the bad one in the party but if someone falls and injures themselves on your property you need to notify the insurance company. So eliminating the step up is important and necessary as soon as possible. I also hope you pay some of the elderly neighbor medical bills

  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 08, 2019

    Michelle has a good point that if someone sustains injuries on your property due to an unsafe situation, in many cases they would be in the right to file a suit against you for damages incurred.

    Yes, check with your insurance carrier to see what your home policy covers.

  • Lisa Lisa on Nov 09, 2019

    First, I would recommend doing away with at least the 1/2 moon mat. Since you have limited space for a ramp due to the garage entrance, a normal ramp wouldn't work. From the picture, it's hard to determine how much space there is between the step and the garage door opening. I would suggest a mini version of a ramp. A sloped wedge type ramp that would go from 3 1/2" height down to the driveway. It would only extend from the step to the left side of the garage entrance. I would make it the full width of the front entry area. You would still have a ramp edge visible from the street, but that could be cosmetically covered by using some pots with flowers/plants. I

  • Dee Dee on Nov 09, 2019

    If you post a wider view picture it would be easier to access what needs to be done.

    At first glance I would take out the metal border and remove the mat.

    Please make the property safe, because as Michelle said you could be sued.