Ramp to front door

[kent2808]

Considering getting a ramp to the front door to make it easier for my son to get in and out in his wheelchair. He's 10 and so getting bigger and hopefully more independent one of these days. Anyone done this and what recommendations do you have? Thank you

We have had two different ones. A concrete one built by Local Authority which was obviously very permanent, which was ok as that was our house. Now we are in rent and have had a wooden ramp built outside back door. This was cheaper but looks really good, sometimes pools water but we can drill a hole in it as it is made of wood, covered with grippy stuff.
If you need the ramp though, the Local authority should build it for you, not means tested for children, but can be a slow process, you need to go through a social care occupational therapist.

There are a few options - you can get folding portable hoists that you put in place each time you use it - we got our OT to fund one as they aren't as cheap as you'd think. The disadvantage is that you have to put it in place every time you want to use it. The advantage is that you then have a ramp that you can take to other places with you to help with access - my son takes one bungeed to the back of his powerchair so that he can have x box fests at his friends house. We also have a permanent concrete ramp, built using a Local Authority Disabled Facilities Grant as mentioned by RevJoKing - you need an assessment from your OT to say that one is necessary and then the LA should sort it out. This is probably the best long term solution if you are happy to have a permanent fixture. It also means that your son doesn't need someone to help him with the ramp every time he wants to come and go. Hope this helps :-)

There are a few options - you can get folding portable ramps that you put in place each time you use it - we got our OT to fund one as they aren't as cheap as you'd think. The disadvantage is that you have to put it in place every time you want to use it. The advantage is that you then have a ramp that you can take to other places with you to help with access - my son takes one bungeed to the back of his powerchair so that he can have x box fests at his friends house. We also have a permanent concrete ramp, built using a Local Authority Disabled Facilities Grant as mentioned by RevJoKing - you need an assessment from your OT to say that one is necessary and then the LA should sort it out. This is probably the best long term solution if you are happy to have a permanent fixture. It also means that your son doesn't need someone to help him with the ramp every time he wants to come and go. Hope this helps :-)