Wheelchair Ramps: Amramp Provides Access in any Situation

What could better than combining Nascar with a job you love:  Giving North Carolinians with mobility challenges their lives back with wheelchair ramps? For Amramp of North Carolina owner Rick Griffiths, the icing on his profession came with a call from the world-renowned architecture firm founded by I.M. Pei, whose landmarks include the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston and Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“It’s an honor to work with the famed architects, but for me the real thrill was knowing I would be installing wheelchair ramps inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” Griffiths said.

As a fan who has volunteered at the track, Griffiths, welcomes the state-of-the-art facility honoring NASCAR icons: “establishing an enduring tribute to the drivers, crew members, team owners, and others that have impacted the sport in the past, present and future.”

Inside the 40,000-square-foot facility, visitors will find:

ò            Showcases of the history and heritage of the sport.

ò            Full Throttle Theater featuring films about the history of NASCAR

ò            Glory Road: A ramp leading to more than a dozen historic cars

ò            Transporter Simulator offers a firsthand look at the team's nerve-center at the track

ò            A Racing Simulator: Highlighting the drivers’ race-day perspective

What visitors likely won’t see: the 5 patented steel wheelchair ramps Amramp has permanently installed inside the $160 million museum located in uptown Charlotte, adjacent to the Charlotte Convention Center: “The modular wheelchair ramps are behind-the-scenes, more for industrial ramp usage than for wheelchair ramps,” Griffiths said.

Thinking about the modular wheelchair ramp installation, the local Amramp owner based in Charlotte can’t help but relate his experience taking a race car for a spin on the track:

“It’s a big rush – an exhilaration – to be in a car that’s shaking. It’s no luxury vehicle! I  averaged a speed of 142 mph, pretty good for someone who’s never done it before.”

See “where the race lives on” at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.  Amramp, offers a fast, easy and safe wheelchair ramp solution to improve people's lives.  Amramp is a national organization with local, factory-trained professionals and with local inventory throughout the country. To learn more about Amramp's modular steel wheelchair ramp system, please fill out the form to the left or call us toll-free at 888-715-7598

Los Angeles County has made a great effort by installing wheelchair ramps to assure all voters can exercise their right to vote on election day.

The city set lofty goals - 100% participation of eligible voters in all elections, 100% polling place accessibility, and options for all voters who seek independent and private voting.

They contacted Brett McKee, of Amramp Los Angeles, a local provider of wheelchair ramps. Amramp, America’s leading wheelchair ramp helped the city to reach the goal to remove barriers that would prevent voters from getting to the polls to cast their votes.

McKee and the Amramp Installation Team of Dylan McKee and Sam Shriver are installing 15 wheelchair ramps at 13 different polling locations across the County for the June 8 Election starting Thursday, June 03, 2010.  The 15 ramps total 344 feet of ramp and platform footage.  Wheelchair ramp slope is determined by using the rise or height and calculating the distance of the wheelchair ramp needed.  For every inch of rise, a ramp of 12 inches is needed to achieve a reasonable slope that a person using a wheelchair or walker can navigate. 

Cities where wheelchair ramps will be installed include Carson, Granada Hills, Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Pacific Palisades, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, South Gate, Torrance and Valley Village. 

 Each of these steel modular wheelchair ramps is made from 100% recycled and recyclable steel. It takes a few hours to install a wheelchair ramp. These 15 wheelchair ramps are being installed over the weekend before the Tuesday election. They were all rented and will now be taken down and returned to inventory rather than going to a landfill with no damage to the property or the environment.

Amramp, offers a fast, easy and safe wheelchair ramp solution to improve people's lives.  Amramp is a national organization with local, factory-trained professionals and with local inventory throughout the country. To learn more about Amramp's modular steel wheelchair ramp system, please fill out the form to the left or call us toll-free at 888-715-7598

(Long Beach, CA)--- A 23 foot steel wheelchair ramp helps rehabilitation therapy staff at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. The staff at the rehabilitation therapies department assist patients regaining their mobility.  An Amramp wheelchair ramp system was donated by a local company, AmRamp Los Angeles from Torrance.  The wheelchair ramp system will enable patients to practice walking up and down wheelchair ramps to regain their mobility.     

This wheelchair ramp system is comprised of 18 feet of sloped ramping.  The wheelchair ramp system is designed to simulate a ramp going up 18 inches of rise or (height) which is equivalent to the properties of a common California house with three steps.  The actual wheelchair ramp climbs at one inch of height for every foot of length.  That provides the user with a gentle slope ratio recommended by the guidelines written in the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The top of the wheelchair ramp has a five foot square landing platform which will enable the user to turn around safely and then descend using the 18 foot wheelchair ramp.  The entire wheelchair ramp and platform has dual hand rails on all sides.

Brett McKee, of Amramp – Los Angeles became aware of the need for support at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center when attending a presentation of their unique Spinal Cord Injury Program.  McKee said, “We are pleased to help the Rehabilitation Department staff to assist their patients in regaining their walking skills.”

This training program concentrates walking practice of the patient on a treadmill.  Roger Kim, Team Leader of the Spinal Cord Injury Program and Rehabilitation Therapies said, “This wheelchair ramp system will allow our patients to practice their walking on a safe and realistic environment.”  The wheelchair ramp system will be used for both in patient and out patient rehabilitation therapies.  Spinal Cord Injury Program participants will be able to progress with their mobility skills using the wheelchair ramp. 

Amramp is the leading company in the United States specializing in modular steel wheelchair ramps, offering ramps for disability access that enable the aging and disabled populations to remain in their homes.  Wheelchair ramps can be installed temporarily for short or long term needs without damaging the housing structure as they are not a permanent modification to the home.  Amramp’ products comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are available for sale or rental with no minimum time frame and no wheelchair ramp size restrictions. 

Amramp – Los Angeles has been providing accessibility ramps in the greater Los Angeles area since May, 2007 and has six employees.  Services are also provided now in Northern California. 

Chad Ward of Amramp in Kansas City knows the wheelchair ramps he rents and sells are a huge help for people who use wheelchairs and Kansans with other mobility concerns.

But the wheelchair ramp’s significance was highlighted in dramatic fashion in early April when Chad was able to rescue a couple trapped in their Independence, Missouri, home after their wheelchair ramp was stolen. A rehabilitation facility that contracts with Chad called to ask his help when they learned that Judy and Darl Jackson, both of whom need help to get around, were trapped in their home with no wheelchair ramp to get them to the street. Judy was injured in a February car accident, and Darl uses a scooter.

Chad sprung to the rescue with Amramp’s modular steel wheelchair ramp, which is far more solid and safer than the one the Jacksons had previously.

“Their lifeline had been cut,” said Chad, whose three years’ experience with clients who use wheelchairs, canes, or walkers gave him quick insight into the Jacksons’ plight. With no wheelchair ramp, the Jacksons were at great risk in case of fire or other emergency.

Initially, Chad was asked to loan a wheelchair ramp but, as he said, the situation “snowballed” once word of the Jacksons’ situation spread. Watch the news reports on each of the major local newscasts:

FoxKC4 “Couple Left Stranded in Home by Thieves Gets Help From the Community”

Kansas City’s ABC affiliate “Theft Victims Get Replacement Ramp”

Neighbors and strangers came forward with donations; in the end the Amramp wheelchair ramp was installed permanently at their Independence, Kansas, home.

“They got a big upgrade,” Chad explained, since their new wheelchair ramp is made of steel and weighs 600 pounds. It won’t be stolen anytime soon, like the lightweight aluminum wheelchair ramp was. The new wheelchair ramp also has railings, which are standard on Amramp’s modular wheelchair ramp systems and which the smaller wheelchair ramp did not have.

Amramp, offers a fast, easy and safe wheelchair ramp solution to improve people's lives.  Amramp is a national organization with local, factory-trained professionals and with local inventory throughout the country. To learn more about Amramp's modular steel wheelchair ramp system, please fill out the form to the left or call us toll-free at 888-715-7598

It’s that time of year when schools and families across America are gearing up for graduation ceremonies. While a wheelchair ramp may not be on the planning list, it should be considered for graduates or invitees who may need help accessing the ceremonies or festivities that are part of the big day.

The big occasion can easily be spoiled if someone who uses a wheelchair or cane is shut out of the proceedings because there is no wheelchair ramp for them to reach the stage. That could be a graduating student or one of the invited speakers.

While the hall where diplomas are handed out may have a wheelchair ramp, it’s possible other buildings where events take place before and after the ceremony are not equipped with wheelchair ramps.

For situations like this, wheelchair ramp rentals are ideal. They can be installed within hours – outside or indoors - and remain in place for as long as needed. Rental wheelchair ramps have been used at college and high school commencements for many years.

Scott Fazzina has provided Amramp's modular wheelchair ramps for graduation ceremonies at Central Connecticut State University and Greenwich High School in Connecticut. In his experience, schools may want to rent a wheelchair ramp for two locations, to be prepared for an outdoor or indoor graduation. Or graduation ceremonies might be held at an off-campus facility that lacks a wheelchair ramp where the diplomas are being handed out. Gymnasiums are an obvious choice for a temporary wheelchair ramp, since commencement ceremonies are often held in gyms or other buildings used for athletic events or large gatherings.

Some schools also will have more than one graduation event, so even if a main building is accessible, a faculty club or other school building may not be. Harvard University has used portable wheelchair ramps for graduation, as has Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts.

Fazzina says schools are impressed with the flexibility of the temporary wheelchair ramps. It opens up the possibility of using facilities that normally wouldn’t be associated with graduation activities.

Tools and Techniques to Keep Your Home Accessible

Not so long ago the thought of facing a disability was terrifying, and not only because of the health concerns. There was the added threat of having to leave one’s home and possibly end up in a nursing facility.

That is no longer true. Whether the disability is temporary or permanent, it is now possible to adapt your home or apartment so you can remain living there.

Personal hygiene is one of the biggest issues for people who need to use a wheelchair. But minor changes can be made in the bathroom. Toilet seats can be raised, bars installed on walls and a hand-held shower is a convenient alternative to ordinary shower heads.

For those who use wheelchairs, there are now portable showers that can be set up right in the kitchen, connected to the water faucet. And portable commodes are available also.

In the kitchen, Lazy Susan shelves below counters can make it easier to reach plates and pans used on a daily basis. New styles of lighting, rather than relying on overhead fixtures, can help make preparing meals easier.

One of the first things to do when a cane, walker or wheelchair is needed is to secure rugs to the floor to avoid tripping or sliding.

Also, where raised thresholds exist, a lip can be placed over them to allow wheelchairs to glide easily.

The primary obstacle to remaining at home when a person needs to use a wheelchair is negotiating entry to the house. Installing a permanent wheelchair ramp is a costly and often impractical solution to the problem. Often it cannot be done because of home style, the configuration of a house lot or restrictive zoning codes.

Today, that barrier can be overcome with a portable wheelchair ramp that can be rented for temporary needs or purchased outright for longer term use

Amramp is a national organization with local, factory-trained professionals and with local inventory throughout the country. To learn more about Amramp’s modular steel wheelchair ramp system, call toll-free at 888-715-7598.

Attendees at the Asian Community Service Center in Gardena, CA received a presentation on Wheelchair Ramps and Safety with Brett McKee

(Gardena, CA)---Seniors recently attended a presentation and demonstration about wheelchair ramps at the Asian Community Service Center in Gardena, CA.  A demonstration wheelchair ramp was set up allowing attendees to walk on the wheelchair ramp and feel the hand rails.  Mari Wada, RN, described the utility of the wheelchair ramp in her hospice care of a Torrance, CA resident last year.   

Brett McKee, of Amramp Los Angeles, has a Masters of Science degree in Education and Counseling.  He also has earned a Certified Aging in Place Specialist designation by the National Association of Home Builders.    

Amramp installs wheelchair ramps throughout the Southland at businesses, residences, schools and institutions.  Amramp is the leading company in the United States specializing in modular steel wheelchair ramps, offering low-priced wheelchair ramps for disability access that enable the aging and disabled population to remain in their homes.  Wheelchair ramps can be installed temporarily for short or long term needs without damaging the housing structure as they are not a permanent modification to the home.  Amramp’s products comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are available for sale or rental with no minimum time frame and no ramp size restrictions. 

Amramp – Los Angeles has been providing accessibility ramps in Southern California since May, 2007 and has six employees.

Ventura Film Festival patrons find accessible entrance to the Elks Lodge on 11 South Ash Street in Ventura, CA

(Ventura, CA)---A 39 foot temporary Wheelchair Ramp was provided Tuesday, March 23, 2010 to the Ventura Film Fest to accommodate attendees at the historic Elks Lodge in Ventura, CA  The Amramp System was provided to assist Film Fest attendees wanting to attend films in Theater 2.  Dylan McKee, an Amramp Installer, helped to train local volunteers including Michael Tine for the installation on Tuesday in preparation for the opening night, Thursday March 25. 

The Elks Lodge was built prior to standards from the Americans With Disabilities Act.  With a 36 inch “rise” or height, an accessible entrance requires a 36 foot ramp as well as a turn platform to enable entry to Theater 2.  This was provided by AmRamp Los Angeles along with hand rails to insure the safety of the attendees at the Film Fest. The wheelchair ramp will be dismantled on March 30 and returned to the warehouse.

Brett McKee, of Amramp – Los Angeles said, “We are pleased to help ensure all patrons can attend the films within the “Lodge”.  It is gratifying to see people using the wheelchair ramp.  They otherwise may not have been able to participate in this second annual film festival in Ventura.”   

Many people who do not use wheelchairs use wheelchair ramps because it is easier and safer for them as opposed to climbing stairs.  These include people who use canes, walkers, parents with baby carriages or people who find it difficult to climb stairs.  This application is ideal for those attending the Ventura Film Festival. 

Amramp installs wheelchair ramps throughout the Southland at businesses, residences, schools and institutions.  Amramp is the leading company in the United States specializing in modular steel wheelchair ramps, offering sturdy, customizable wheelchair ramps for disability access that enable the aging and disabled population to remain in their homes with independence and mobility.  Wheelchair ramps can be installed temporarily for short or long term needs without damaging the housing structure as they are not a permanent modification to the home.  Amramp products comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are available for sale or rental with no minimum time frame and no ramp size restrictions. 

Amramp – Los Angeles has been providing accessibility ramps in the Southern and Northern California since May, 2007 and has six employees.

Foundation Fundraising Efforts Supported by 82 foot Wheelchair Ramp

(La Verne, CA)---An 82 foot steel Wheelchair Ramp was provided for the Be Perfect Spinal Cord Injury Foundation for the Second Annual Fundraising event held on Saturday, May 30^th at the Hafif Estate in La Verne, CA.  The wheelchair ramp system helped to enable all of the attendees to use all the facilities at the Estate.   

This year the Be Perfect Fundraiser featured Hans Keirstead, Ph.D. from the Reeve-Irvine Stem Cell Research Center.  Dinner, Dancing and SCI awareness events were made fully accessible for attendees. 

Brett McKee, of Amramp – Los Angeles said, “We are pleased to work with this organization to help ensure all attendees can participate in this great event for such a worthy cause.”

Amramp is the leading company in the United States specializing in modular steel wheelchair ramps, offering low-priced ramps for disability access that enable the aging and disabled population to remain in their homes.  Ramps can be installed temporarily for short or long term needs without damaging the housing structure as they are not a permanent modification to the home.  Amramp’s products comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are available for sale or rental with no minimum time frame and no ramp size restrictions. 

Amramp – Los Angeles has been providing accessibility ramps in the greater Los Angeles area since May, 2007 and has six employees.

As people get older, they have differing ideas about how they want to spend their time. For some it's the golf course or learning to paint, for others it means spending a lot of time with grandchildren and watching them grow through their interests.

If there is one thing people share about the aging experience, it is the desire to remain independent. After working hard and rearing a family, older people don't want to have to depend on others unless it's necessary.

How many times have you heard someone say, "I don't want to be a burden?"

Fortunately, it is becoming easier for men and women - living alone or with others - to remain in their homes even if their mobility is compromised.

Newer buildings often have wider doors to bathrooms and bedrooms, to make it easy for someone to take a wheelchair into those rooms. And there are ways to easily raise the height of a toilet seat.

In housing complexes designed for elders, kitchen counters and bathroom sinks can be lower, for the convenience of wheelchair users.

But most folks don't want to leave the home they've enjoyed just because of age. For one thing, the home they live in is probably paid for.

If you don't live in an elevator building, steps leading to the house are probably an obstacle. And building a permanent wheelchair ramp is not always practical or desirable. For some homes it's not feasible, either because of the design of the house, the nature of the property or even restrictive zoning codes, such as historic districts.

It's possible, though, to have a ramp that leads directly to the stairs but does not have to be permanently attached. A modular ramp that you can rent or buy is a good solution for people who've recently had surgery, for example, or long term, for those who are managing chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis or diabetes.

Standard house components like thresholds can also pose a threat or make a home impassable for wheelchair users, but threshold ramps installed in the house can overcome what has become an obstacle to residents who want to remain in their neighborhood and among their friends.

Another way to remain in a home without a fully updated bathroom is having a portable shower, which could even be used in the kitchen; it hooks up to any faucet. This often provides the ideal solution for residents who do not have a full bathroom with showering facilities on the first floor of their homes.

As millions more Americans age, more products that make aging in place possible are coming to the marketplace. Whether investigating products and manufacturers online or via the trusty telephone, consumers should purchase these products - or rent them - from reputable dealers, merchants, and/or manufacturers. It makes sense to ask for - and check - references, with previous customers and the Better Business Bureau. Elder Affairs agencies, local Centers on Aging, and health agencies often provide resources also.

Amramp is a national organization with local, factory-trained professionals and with local inventory located throughout the country. To learn more about Amramp's modular steel wheelchair ramp system, call toll-free at 888-715-7598.