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[ysabetwordsmith]

Retired veteran teams up with nonprofit to build free ramps for senior and disabled neighbors

In an interview with Woman’s World, Adler recalls the representative saying: “Too many seniors and disabled individuals need ramps, but they can’t afford them.”

That’s when Adler reached out to his clergy so that they could start building ramps for neighbors in need.


This is the kind of project that any community could do. All you need is at least one skilled woodworker, some ramp plans (or math to draft custom plans), a woodshop, and some donors. Furthermore, these are sturdy wooden ramps, not rattletrap aluminum monstrosities that are miserable to use. It's basically like a deck with a ramp instead of stairs. \o/

Furthermore, this kind of project solves two other problems that America has a lot of: people feeling useless and people being connected. Grab a saw, go be a hero, and make some friends who also enjoy woodcrafting.

Comments

[crunchysteve]

Probably find the maximum gradient allowed by local code at the local authority. From there, a ramp needs only be sturdy enough to meet code (usually given in minimum grades/sizes of materials) and the measurements of each willing recipients steps the ramps are to replace. That said, it can, in some parts of the world, be a bit bureaucratic, but even this can be dealt with by willing volunteers.

[pickledginger]

Many people need a ramp only a few inches in height.

The 4"-high ramp that let my father continue to enjoy his backyard comprised: one (treated) 2x4, sliced lengthwise, diagonally, so it was 3.5" thick at i e end and 0.5" at the other; half a sheet of 0.5" marine plywood, cut the long way; an offcut of linoleum, for better grip in wet weather, and some leftover silicone caulk to adhere it; and some galvanised woodscrews.

[pickledginger]

Many people need a ramp only a few inches in height.

The 4"-high ramp that let my father continue to enjoy his backyard comprised: one (treated) 2x4, sliced lengthwise, diagonally, so it was 3.5" thick at one end and 0.5" at the other; half a sheet of 0.5" marine plywood, cut the long way; an offcut of linoleum, for better grip in wet weather, and some leftover silicone caulk to adhere it; and some galvanised woodscrews.

Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Many doors have only one or two steps. A short straight ramp is plenty for those. In fact there are plans for portable ones that you can build, single or double, for such situations.

More than a few steps will require a longer ramp, sometimes with switchbacks. In residential applications, it often makes more sense to build a whole deck and wrap the ramp around part of it, maybe with a set of steps on one end for people who prefer that.

It's entirely possible to build sturdy ramps that match the architecture of a home using wood, brick, etc. The problem is that America despises people with disabilities and likes to hurt them. So often, nobody will pay for a ramp and the person can't afford it. When a ramp is provided, it is most often aluminum or stainless steel made as ugly as possible, noisy and miserable to traverse. So then people resist having a ramp and I don't blame them. It's just vicious.

Seeing someone address this issue makes me happy. A deck with ramp can be a great addition to a home, especially if someone has a hard time rolling over grass as some folks do. The deck portion can restore some of their access to the outdoors.