Mobility Equipment Blog

Access Appraisals Ltd. have been supplying wheelchair ramps to domestic customers, commercial customers and local government bodies since 2002.

If there is sufficient space in front of the building a permanent wheelchair ramp should be installed. The maximum gradient for fixed ramps should be no more than 1 in 12. If the length exceeds 2m a handrail on each side and a landing area should be provided. Ramps for wheelchairs should have a minimum clear width of 1m, and have 100mm high upstand to the edges. The handrails should be 900mm high, and extend 300mm beyond the ends of the ramp. At the top there should be a level area of 1200mm.

If you would like to provide a review of your stairlift or the service provided by your stairlift provider please contact Access Appraisals via the contact page on the new website.

Stairlift Reviews : Straight Stairlift Reviews : Curved Stairlift Reviews : Compare Stairlifts : Request Stairlift Information

We updated our main wheelchair ramps site over the weekend and at the same time edited the Aerolight Xtra Wheelchair Ramps to reflect the new design

The Aerolight Xtra Wheelchair Ramps have been our most popular wheelchair ramp for some time now, and just when you think they can’t be improved anymore another small improvement is made.

In our opinion, these really are the best portable ramps on the market at the moment

Many people do not understand how to work out the gradient required when buying portable wheelchair ramps, or which ramp is most suitable for their needs. For this reason we like to speak to you first and offer you free advice to ensure you buy the right ramp. We also provide a 7 day Try Before You Buy service so you can be sure you have the right product.
With the new DDA. legislation here, we now have the answer to those tricky access situations. Lightweight, folding, easy to handle and strong, these portable ramps are perfect as an auxiliary aid.

Information on disabled wheelchair ramps Including recommendations from BS 8300:2001 and Part M of current UK building regulations

Disclaimer: The information and advice given on this website is to the best of our knowledge, but we accept no responsibility if acted upon, and advise you contact your architect, building control, planning department, highways department and local fire authority if in any doubt.

Although not always necessarily so with existing premises, it is advised that you try to adhere to these recommendations whenever possible.

Part M: access and facilities for disabled people

Current UK Building regulations are slightly different with regard Dwellings and other building, these recommendations are for “Buildings Other Than Dwellings”.

A wheelchair ramp will comply with Part M if it;

Has a non-slip surface.
Is 1.5m wide with a minimum unobstructed width of 1.5m.
Has a maximum individual flight of 10m and maximum
gradients of 1:20 if longer than 5m, 1:15 if longer than 2m
or 1:12 if shorter than 2m.
Has top and bottom landings no less than 1.2m and intermediate
Landings of 1.5m every 10m.
Has 100mm high raised kerbs to any open side of ramp or landings
Has a continuous suitable handrail on each side.
(see Part M Access to buildings other than dwellings » for guidance on full requirements.

Part M: access and facilities for disabled people is available from The Stationary Office for £13.00, or a free downloadable version in pdf format is available here

BS 8300:2001

A more recent document BS 8300:2001 Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people. Code of practice
has been produced by the British Standards Institution
BS 8300:2001, is a source of best practice for architects, builders, and facilities managers. It encourages innovative design solutions for different types of building, including homes, shops and theatres.
A number of sections provide guidelines and recommendations in relation to disabled access and ramps in particular and it tends to offers a more detailed version than the building regulations document Part M.
At a cost of nearly £:220.00 it is a little expensive and to date, does not appear to be available free of charge online without a subscription.
Fortunately, it is available for viewing free of charge at most Public Libraries (I suggest you check with you local library first and book a time to use their facilities)

For further information on BS8300

Portable Wheelchair Ramps

There are recommendations concerning portable ramps in BS8300:2001, but in a number of circumstances, primarily with existing premises they can be difficult to adhere to.
A key point to bear in mind is the DDA’s phrase:

“Where a physical feature (for example, one arising from the design or construction of a building or the approach or access to premises) makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled persons to make use of such a service, it is the duty of the provider of that service to take such steps as it is reasonable”

“Reasonable adjustments” is a phrase that if you have not heard yet, you more than likely will do other the coming months. It is the so called “grey area” of the Act which will surely be a key point for the courts to decide.
What constitutes a “reasonable adjustment”? – Their is no easy answer, but in my personal oppinion all cases will be dealt with individually.
For instance
A new, or an existing high value property would reasonably be expected to comply with all recommendations under BS8300 and Part M.
Where as, a small local village shop, salon etc. would reasonably be expected to make minor alterations and provide auxiliary aids, such as clipboards, audio aids, trained assistance, portable wheelchair access ramps etc.

Please contact our Wheelchair Accessible Taxi website if you would  like your details included in our new Wheelchair Accessible Taxis Directory.

Equality Act 2010 – provisions the Government is still considering

Provisions about taxi accessibility

Ministers are considering how to implement these remaining provisions in the best way for business and for others with rights and responsibilities under the Act. Their decisions will be announced in due course.

I used to sell wheelchair tyres via another website but unfortunately it turned out to be more trouble than it was worth.

The main problem is there are so many different sizes of wheelchair tyres, so many different tread options, tubed and tubeless options that it meant buying in any stock just wasn’t practical.

Another problem is that the wheelchair tyres sizes were just nominal and a US 24 x 1 could be a different size to a UK 24 x 1. This sometimes resulted in people ordering the wrong size.

Due to the fact they are cheap, there is very little mark up on wheelchair tyres and because they are a strange shape the postage on them isn’t cheap either.

The fimal straw was when my supllier (understandably) emposed a small handling fee of £10.00

What this meant was when someone was ordering a pair of wheelchair tyres for  £25 it was costing over half as much again just for the handling and delivery charges.