If you use a wheelchair, you know how frustrating it is not to get where you need to go quickly. Everyone has the right to hassle-free access, whether at home or in public buildings, stores, services, or businesses.
Moreover, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires most companies to offer reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. However, small firms and enterprises that do not provide public services are often excluded from this obligation.
Whether the ADA requires a wheelchair ramp or not, installing one is simpler than you think. Here is everything you need to know about accessibility regulations and why establishing a wheelchair ramp in your commercial space can benefit everybody.
Why Handicap Ramps are a Must-Have for Your Retail Shop?
- It is accessible to those with disabilities
When entering a facility, it might be stressful for people with disabilities to use the stairs. Constructing basic handicap ramps is sufficient to help them feel safer and more comfortable. Not having a wheelchair ramp outside gives the impression that your business is not accessible to those with mobility issues, even if this is not the case.
- You will expand your customer base
You could lose over 16% of your potential business because people can’t interact with or access your business. And when you include their friends and family, that number rises.
The 16% figure doesn’t account for customers who make purchasing decisions based on whether a company is welcoming to all customers. Studies have shown that over 92% of customers are more likely to support a business accessible for everyone to get to in person and online.
Putting in a ramp is a great way to show potential consumers that your business is welcoming to everybody and to make it easier for people with mobility issues to enter.
- They reduce the risk of injury occurring on your property.
Installing a wheelchair ramp will reduce the risk of an injury occurring on your premises. Even those without physical impairments might easily slip and fall on slick stairs, which could result in legal action against your company. While it’s not required that you get rid of every single set of stairs in and around your building, making sure there’s a wheelchair ramp leading up to the front door is a good sign that you care about the well-being of your clientele and staff.
- You’ll be ADA-compliant
Compliance with the ADA is essential to prevent expensive penalties and possibly litigation. A wheelchair ramp is required, as are other measures of accessibility per ADA regulations. Everything must be specific, including the slope, width, and landing area. Therefore, it makes sense to have a specialist build your wheelchair ramp so you can have peace of mind that it has been correctly installed.
- Everyone can take advantage of a wheelchair ramp
Even if they do not have a physical disability, some people would instead use a ramp than ascend or descend stairs. Putting a wheelchair ramp in front of your business will make it easier for everyone to come in. Therefore, people without mobility constraints can enjoy it, especially when their hands are full and they cannot see the step correctly. Reduce the risk of someone being injured on your property by having a wheelchair ramp professionally installed.
- They improve the visual appeal of establishments
The designs of wheelchair ramps may also enhance the aesthetic of various places. Modern ramps can be constructed from several materials, including aluminum, hardwood, and even concrete. These ramps can also be built to match the aesthetic and concept of an existing structure.
- They allow better mobility
No one should hesitate before visiting a public area such as an airport or shopping mall. Special consideration should always be given to the needs of persons with unique mobility requirements. Nonetheless, this is not always the case for several enterprises and services. Many prefer not to install wheelchair ramps, making accessibility for persons in wheelchairs and other mobility aids exceedingly challenging.
Adding a wheelchair ramp into a company may prevent customers and guests from experiencing the annoyance of mobility-related concerns. In addition, these installations contain staff and employees from losing specific levels of productivity, which are frequently impacted by helping others on the job.
- They lessen liability concerns
The surfaces of stairs and steps tend to get slick during the winter and wet seasons. Accidents and falls caused by slippery surfaces in a public facility or commercial enterprise can result in legal issues for the proprietor. A ramp with safety features like railings and a nonslip surface can help prevent liability concerns. More significantly, it can prevent accidents from occurring.
Key Considerations When Selecting a Handicap Ramp for Your Business
Here are the most important questions before investing in a handicap ramp.
Should the ramp be permanent or mobile?
Determine if the ramp has to be permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary based on the user’s demands. Folding ramps are an ideal alternative for mobility since they can be moved and stored easily. Before purchasing a portable ramp, consider where it will be stored and confirm that it can be safely relocated.
What is the ideal size of the ramp?
An excessively short ramp might result in a high slope. Extremely steep inclines are unsafe, as they stress manual wheelchair users or the engines of motorized wheelchairs and may even force a chair to slide backward.
Permanent ramps should ideally have a 1:15 gradient. Due to space constraints, such an incline is not usually practicable for portable ramps. You should also ensure that the ramp is wide enough to accommodate the wheelchair with safety margins on each side.
What is the maximum loading capacity?
Consider who will be utilizing the ramp to determine the needed loading capacity. Check the specs of the ramps you are considering to ensure that they can securely accommodate the user’s wheelchair or mobility scooter.
Do you require an extra landing platform?
Both the top and bottom ramps of a wheelchair ramp must be level. The landing must be as broad as the ramp and long enough to accommodate the entire wheelchair. The landing area can be an existing surface or be developed as part of the ramp.
Conclusion
Planning your store’s layout is both an art and a science, requiring imagination, psychological insights, and testing. Moreso, wheelchair ramps can provide a practical answer to your access needs. With so many disability ramps on the market, getting the proper tools for the job is essential. This article has explained the benefits of installing a handicap ramp around your retail shop. We have also highlighted the critical factors to consider when installing one for your business.
